Fool Me Once

by Ash, Nikki

My heart soars at how easily Blakely can forgive. She has such a good heart, and I hate that it’s probably because of what she dealt with growing up.

  “In order for you to understand everything, I have to start from the beginning,” I tell her. “I mentioned once that my brother Keith had died, but what I left out was that he was killed during a drug deal gone wrong.”

  “What?” Blakely gasps and her hands come up to her mouth.

  “The worst part was that the drug deal… it involved Kolton.”

  Her eyes widen in shock then something clicks. “You told me in Cocoa Beach your brother overdosed…”

  “I did, but that’s not how Keith died. Kolton was taking too many classes and he needed help staying awake to study and then falling asleep when he was done. He heard about a guy who was selling to students and approached him.

  “Keith was a police officer and, at the time, he was investigating the man Kolton was buying from. Kolton didn’t know, though, because we’re not allowed to talk about our investigations.” I pause for a second, hoping Blakely will understand what I’m saying. It wasn’t personal. When we’re investigating, we can’t tell anyone, no matter how much we want to. I know it doesn’t change the fact we lied, but I’m hoping she’ll at least see this wasn’t the same as her father lying. “One day Keith was on campus and saw Kolton talking to the drug dealer he was investigating, so he approached. We don’t know if he knew what was going down, or suspected. But the guy got spooked and pulled out a gun and shot Keith. He was wearing a vest, but he shot him in the neck. He was dead before he ever made it to the hospital. The guy ran while Kolton was calling for help.”

  Tears prick Blakely’s eyes and the next thing I know, she’s throwing her arms around my neck. “I’m so sorry, Keegan.” She sniffles. “I can’t imagine losing my sister.”

  I give her a kiss on her forehead, inhaling her sweet scent. Fuck how I’ve missed her.

  “It was hard,” I admit truthfully. “But the worst part was that Kolton blamed himself. One, for buying from the guy, and two, because while he was trying to save Keith’s life, Miguel disappeared.”

  “So nobody got any closure,” she says, sitting back and wiping her tears. “Wait a second.” Her eyes widen. “Miguel… as in Brenton’s mom’s ex-boyfriend? The guy you guys arrested?”

  I nod once. “The very same. He was hiding out the entire time in that house, while Brenton and Maxwell were selling for him.”

  “I hate him,” Blakely seethes. “I can never forgive him for what he’s done. And I’m so mad at myself. I let my son around him.”

  “You didn’t know, and in his defense, I really don’t think he knew Miguel had a warrant out for his arrest for murdering a cop.”

  “I don’t care. He was selling drugs! What if my son got a hold of them? Brenton is dead to me.”

  We sit in silence for a few seconds while Blakely calms down. I love that she cares so much about my family that she hates Brenton, but I also know her heart is broken over the fact it was her best friend who was selling.

  “So, your brother died and Kolton blamed himself,” she prompts.

  “Yeah,” I say, remembering just how bad Kolton took it. So bad that I found him lying on the ground of the bathroom half-dead. It was the scariest moment of my life finding him. “Kolton took it so hard he overdosed and almost died.”

  Blakely shakes her head. “Thank God he didn’t.”

  “I’m not even sure how my mom survived it all,” I tell her. “Losing her son, almost losing her other son—and then there was me. I was just finishing up getting my AA and about to graduate from the police academy when all of this went down. When Kolton and my mom found out I was still considering joining the force, they ganged up on me. My mom said she’d already lost one son and almost lost another. She couldn’t handle losing me too. My brother felt the same way. He was terrified I would end up like Keith.”

  “You told me you had a big decision to make,” she says, and it warms my heart at how much she remembers from our short time together.

  “I did. Kolton took off to Europe, saying he needed to get away. He spent a year over there. I had to decide whether to continue with my degree in criminal justice and do something safer like forensics, or become a police officer.”

  “And you chose to become a police officer.” When she says the words, there’s zero judgement in them, and I sigh in relief. I can’t imagine doing anything other than what I do, but if it means being with Blakely and Zane, I would give it up.

  “I did. But with my brother and mom upset with me, and Keith having died while working for this department, I decided to take a job elsewhere. Give everybody some space. I knew my brother would be returning eventually, and I didn’t want to throw my decision in his face. So, I moved to Jacksonville to live with my dad’s brother. My uncle Frank. He’s also a police officer and heads up the Jacksonville Police Department.”

  “So this whole time you were in Jacksonville?”

  “Yeah, I spent the last three years there training to become a narcotics detective. My uncle is one of the best there is.”

  “You wanted to avenge your brother’s death,” she says.

  “Yes and no. Did I hope to one day catch the asshole who killed him? Of course. But I also want to work to keep the drugs off the streets in the first place. I saw firsthand what drugs can do to someone, and Kolton wasn’t even addicted. I knew from the moment Keith died I wanted to be a part of the Narcotics Division. I took all the required tests and was trained by my uncle.

  “And then my dad called and told me it was happening again. There was a guy selling drugs to students on campus. Nobody here knew I was a cop, so it would be perfect for me to go undercover. As far as everyone was concerned, I was back to finish my degree.”

  “And then you ran into me.”

  I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. “And then I ran into you.” Needing to touch her in some way, I pull her back toward me and take her hands in mine. “I wanted to tell you. I swear I did. The minute I found out about Zane, I went to my dad and told him to take me off the case. He asked me to give it a little longer and then we would discuss it. But then I caught Brenton selling at the party he brought you to and we were just too close.”

  Blakely nods in understanding. “I get it. It really hurt to feel left out, but I understand now.”

  “I love you so much,” I tell her, pulling her into my lap. “When you mentioned us moving in together, it killed me to not be able to say yes, but I had to keep up with appearances. I hated that you thought I wasn’t all in.” I press my lips to hers and then add, “I’m all in, Blakely. All fucking in.”

  I turn her around so she’s straddling my lap. “Please tell me we can find a way to move past this. To be together and be a family.”

  “I was so scared,” she admits softly. “When I found out you were a police officer, I was so mad at you for lying, but I was also really scared. If something happened to you.” Her delicate hands frame my face. “I didn’t even know you’re a cop and you could’ve been killed.”

  “I’m so sorry I couldn’t tell you,” I tell her. “But I’ll keep my promise to you and let you know any time there’s something I can’t talk to you about. And I swear to you I’ll do everything in my power to make it home every day.” It’s all I can give her. I won’t ever lie to her again. And if I promise nothing will ever happen to me, it would be a lie. She needs to go into this knowing the truth. My job is dangerous. Hell, life is dangerous. And anything can happen to any of us.

  “I want this,” she says. “I want you and me and Zane. I want a life with you.” No sweeter words have ever been spoken.

  Grabbing her by her ass, I lift her and carry her to the master bedroom, thankful that I thought to at least buy a bed for the place. I lay her on the mattress and she looks up at me with happiness mixed with lust. We shed our clothes within seconds, and our mouths fuse together. Her hands glide across my skin while mine worship her perfe
ct body. Her legs are spread, and I enter her completely, needing to be as connected to her as possible. I make love to Blakely fast and hard at first, and then, when I feel myself getting close to coming, I slow it down. Reaching down, I apply pressure to her swollen clit and her body ignites under my touch. She screams out my name as her tight, warm pussy squeezes my dick, milking every last drop of my seed that I spill into her.

  When we both catch our breath, I pull out of her, and Blakely laughs.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “I’ve never had make-up sex before,” she says with the most gorgeous smile splayed across her face. “I think I’m a fan.”

  After we clean up, I give her a proper tour of the house. With every room we enter, she tells me everything she envisions for the place: the colors, the styles, the types of furniture. And I tell her she can have whatever the hell she wants as long as she never stops smiling the way she is while she talks.

  When we’re done, we agree that she and Zane will be moving in with me as soon as possible. The apartment they live in is now month to month since they’ve been living there for so long, and Sierra is excited to move in with Kolton. I don’t mention that I’m also glad they’ll be the hell away from Brenton. The guy has only been out on bail for less than a day and he’s approached Blakely once and tried a second time—only Scott was watching and got to him before he could speak to her. Asshole thought he was slick going around back and coming up the side.

  “Can we go see Zane?” It’s been too long since I’ve seen him. I wanted to give Blakely some space, but I’m missing my kid like crazy.

  “Of course!” She wraps her arms around my neck and pulls me down for a kiss. “I’m so sorry you haven’t seen him. He’s asked about you.”

  “It’s all past us now.” I kiss the tip of her nose. “But I need you to know something.” I don’t want her to take this the wrong way, but it needs to be said. “I plan to spend my life with you, but if for whatever reason something changes. If you walk away from me…”

  “I’m not going to do that.”

  “I know, but even if it’s for a damn day. I can’t go without my son again.”

  Tears fill her eyes, and I immediately feel bad. But then she pulls me back into her. Her lips crash against mine and she kisses me with abandon. Her tongue sweeps through my parted lips and she caresses and strokes her tongue against mine. If I wasn’t in such a rush to go see my son before he goes to bed, I’d take her ass back to bed.

  “I love you, Keegan,” she says, slightly out of breath from the kiss. “And you are a damn good dad. What you said only proves that.”

  Blakely

  “Is it weird that we’re sisters dating twin brothers?” I ask Sierra when the guys leave the table to get us drinks from the bar. It’s been two weeks since Keegan told me everything. Two weeks since we went to the apartment and told Sierra we’d be moving in together. I wasn’t sure on the timeframe, but I learned the next day, the timeframe was… the next day. Keegan and Kolton and a few of their friends—including several police officers—boxed up our stuff and moved us. Sierra’s stuff went to Kolton’s apartment, and Zane’s and my stuff went to Keegan’s house. The first night I cried over missing my sister, and the next night Keegan invited them over for dinner.

  I’ve been so busy with school, and Keegan’s been so busy with helping to put together the case to send Miguel away for life, that Larissa insisted we go out and have some fun. She showed up and offered to watch Zane, and Sierra suggested we double date.

  “I think it’s awesome,” she says with a mischievous grin that tells me she’s about to say something highly inappropriate. “They’re identical twins, right?”

  “Yeah…”

  “I wonder if they’re identical in every way.” She waggles her brows and glances over at them walking back with our drinks.

  “Oh my God!” I shriek when I get what she’s implying. “Don’t be thinking about my man’s dick!” Even with the music blaring, my words travel and Keegan grins at the same time Kolton grimaces.

  “I was not thinking about his dick,” Sierra explains out loud. “I was simply wondering if everything on you two is identical. I mean, Kolton is well-endowed, so I was just wondering if my sister was getting the same experience.”

  Keegan and Kolton both burst out laughing, and I groan, grabbing my drink from Keegan and taking a hefty sip.

  “Remember that time when we measured our dicks?” Kolton says. My drink flies out of my mouth, and Sierra throws her head back in laughter. Keegan just shakes his head. “My dick was totally a quarter of an inch bigger.”

  “Bullshit,” Keegan argues.

  “I’m going to use the restroom,” I announce. My hands and face are all sticky from spitting my drink out everywhere.

  “I’ll go with you,” Sierra says, standing.

  “Be back in a minute,” I whisper into Keegan’s ear. “Prepare to dance with me.”

  The line to the ladies’ room is long, but since I only need to wash my hands, I slip inside. Sierra actually has to use the restroom, so she’s stuck waiting in line. As I’m walking out, she’s finally making her way in. “I’ll wait for you out here,” I tell her, and she nods.

  I step to the side so I’m not in the way and pull my phone out of my back pocket to make sure Larissa hasn’t called or texted. No new messages. Just as I’m putting my phone back in my pocket, I hear my name being called from behind me. I turn around, but when I see who it is, instinctually, I back up, prepared to run.

  “I just want to talk to you,” Brenton says, putting his palms up in a silent gesture to imply he means no harm. I call bullshit.

  “Are you following me?”

  “You moved out of the apartment,” he says, not answering my question, “and in with Keegan.”

  Oh my God, he has been following me. “I’m not doing this with you.” I’m afraid to turn my back on him, but at the same time, I don’t know how else to get away.

  “I just want to talk to you.” He steps closer, making me extremely nervous.

  “Not happening.” I turn on my heel to run, but before I even make it a foot away, he grabs me by my hair and drags me down the dark hallway. I saw the exit sign behind him. He’s going to kidnap me. I scream and start to kick, but he wraps his strong arms around my body and shoves me out the door before anybody notices.

  His car is waiting by the door and he throws me inside. He shuts the door and opens the front one. I try to open the door, but it doesn’t budge. He fucking childproofed it!

  Before he gets the idea of taking my phone, I grab it from my back pocket and push it down into the seat. He opens the door back up and grabs my wrists. I scream at the top of my lungs, hoping someone will hear me. But he quickly covers my mouth with duct tape before he wraps a thick rope around my wrists.

  Shutting the door again, he stalks around the car and is about to jump in, when he must remember something because he walks back around and opens the door. “Where’s your phone?” he asks, as if I can actually answer him.

  Without waiting for me to answer, he shoves his hand into each of my pockets and then lifts my shirt, exposing my bra. “Where’s your phone?” I shake my head and he rips the tape off my mouth. “Where the fuck is it? I saw you using it!”

  “It must’ve dropped in the club,” I say quickly, hoping that Keegan is still tracking my phone and will be able to track wherever it is Brenton is taking me.

  He grins evilly. “Good.” He sticks the tape back over my mouth and slams the door.

  I sit quietly while he drives, looking out the window to see where we’re going in case I get the opportunity to escape. After several minutes of being on the road, Brenton turns his radio off and begins to speak.

  “I didn’t want it to come to this, Blakely.”

  My gaze flickers over to the rearview mirror and for a second our eyes meet before I look back out the window, not wanting to give him any more of my attention.

  “I don’t
get it. For years I was there for you and your fucking kid. You told me you couldn’t date. You had to focus on your son. So I waited and waited.” He slams his hand against the steering wheel. “I fucking waited! And for what? So that asshole could step right in and take my place?”

  Oh. My. God. He’s lost his fucking mind.

  “I told you, you didn’t know him! The entire time he was a fucking cop. Lying to you! I accepted that you were upset over everything that went down, but I knew you’d come around. And then you go and forgive him and move in with him, but you can’t give me the fucking time of day?”

  He gets on I-95 and heads north and my heart hiccups. He can be taking us anywhere at this point. The highway runs through the entire state of Florida and all the way up the East Coast. My only hope is that Keegan is still tracking my phone and is following behind us. My seat vibrates, and I thank God I had it on silent. If it were on loud, Brenton would know I still have my phone and would throw it out the window.

  “I gave you four fucking years and you shit on me the moment that fucker appeared! And now there’s a chance I’m going to go to jail all because of him. Fuck that! Do you even care?” he asks. “Huh? Do you even give a shit that your boyfriend is ruining my entire life?”

  Out of the corner of my eye, I see him reach back between the seats. I try to move toward the window, afraid he’s going to hurt me, but his reach is long. The car swerves as he reaches farther, and a couple cars on the road honk. “Stop moving! I’m trying to take your tape off.” Not wanting us to wreck, I lean forward to let him rip the tape off, but it’s too late. The car is going too fast and he loses control. It’s dark and I can’t see much, but I feel the vehicle hit the reflectors, indicating he’s driving off the road. The vehicle hits some kind of bump and then slams forward, tilting to the side. Just before we begin to flip, I catch a glimpse of the wide ditch filled with water.

  Brenton screams, and I can’t do anything. He put my seat belt on to keep me in place. I have no hands and no voice, and as the car flips and lands in the water, and the inside begins to fill with cold liquid, all I can do is pray Keegan is following us. Because otherwise, I know that as soon as the water fills to the top, my life will be over.