Stakeout (A Stalker Novel Book 1)

by Karen Raines

  “I just want her to talk to me without the attitude,” I finally answer. “Maybe get back to the way things used to be.”

  And wouldn’t that be simpler. Back in the days where I didn’t sink my cock into the heavenly depths of her perfect pussy. Part of me would be relieved to lose that memory while the other part would mourn for it. Like I said, I was a little insane these days, had been since that taser loving bitch had phoned me with this crazy assignment and not so subtly inferred that Bri would have no choice but to acknowledge me. She was the devil. Which she had proven when I approached Marcus’s car 30 minutes ago and found Skylar perched on the hood.

  “Well well, if it isn’t the chuckle brothers,” she said, looking at her nails as if she was bored.

  I stalked right up to her and gave her my most charming smile. “Good morning sweetheart, you’re looking gorgeous as always.”

  Her eyes rolled dramatically as she slid from the car. “Cut the crap Maitland, I just want to make sure you know exactly what is and isn’t expected from you on this assignment.”

  Marcus coughed beside me trying to hide his amusement and Skylar turned those steely eyes in his direction. Marcus unabashedly roamed his eyes over her impressive figure, all the while keeping a smirk on his face.

  “I’d be happy to discuss the operation with you babe,” he drawled. “Over dinner? A little wine? Perhaps a little oral?”

  Oh god, she was gonna kick his ass. I waited for the claws to come out but Sky simply appraised him, a thoughtful look on her face.

  “Hmmm, you do look like my type,” she tapped a finger against her lip and smiled sinisterly.

  “Aren’t you a lesbian?” Marcus asked, confusion knocking his cocky demeanor.

  “Yep, and you’re a whiny little bitch. Match made in heaven.”

  He turned all kinds of shades of red and I burst out laughing. He stalked off to the driver’s side and got in, slamming the door in his wake.

  “That was mean,” I chuckled.

  Skylar shrugged and fixed me with her intense stare again. “Whatever. Now listen to me Maitland, I’m not in the habit of repeating myself. I wanted you on this case with Briella because I genuinely believe you’re the best. I trust you to have her back and I know you have the skills to see the job through. But Colby, if you fuck with her heart I swear to god, they’ll never find your body.”

  I crossed my heart and grinned but the anxiousness in her expression had me stopping short. She was concerned for her friend. I loved that about her. Possibly the only thing I DID like about the hard ass bitch in front of me. She loved Briella and as much as this had all been her idea, she was now having second thoughts.

  “I have no intention of hurting Bri, I promise you that. I will be professional with every aspect of this case, give it 110% just like I would for any case. As far as my relationship with Bri…”

  “You don’t have a relationship with Bri anymore Colby. You made sure of that when you shouted out the witch’s name.”

  I blew out a noisy breath and glanced to the clouds above. “I hear you. But I want to make amends.”

  She dropped her head to her chest and crossed her arms defensively. “She’s gonna kill me for this.”

  I laughed and gave her a pat on the head. “Not if she kills me first.”

  We pull up to Logan airport, forcing me back to reality, and make our way to a side gate that leads us straight out onto the airfield. This never gets old. It was such a rush to avoid the crazy terminal and roll up to the waiting aircraft. Finding the correct bay is easy and I breathe a sigh of relief when I see that the jet itself is plain and generic to look at. I’d been fighting with the thought that Mayor Stephenson was just egotistical enough to plaster his name all over the fucking thing. That would have blown our cover right from the word go.

  “Don’t forget to feed yourself asshole,” I yell as I make my way up the metal staircase to board the jet.

  “What, no kiss goodbye baby?” Marcus calls in his best girlie voice.

  I laugh and turn just in time for him to blow me a kiss and shoot off a wink to a very shocked looking flight attendant. I wave a one finger salute and drop through the doorway, anticipation burning in my chest.

  The interior is everything I would expect from someone like the Mayor. He has an over the top manner that I don’t care for. I’ve watched him for the last two years while he took control of the city and I didn’t like what I saw. Oh, he was a man for the people, or at least that was what his cabinet led you to believe. But I had seen what the man behind the camera was really like and he wasn’t someone I wanted any involvement with. Yet here I was.

  “Would you like a drink Sir?”

  Turning, I nearly faceplant at the sight that greets me. The hostess, who kindly introduces herself as Monique, is dressed in the tiniest uniform I have ever seen. The skirt is so short, she only has to walk and I can tell you what color her underwear is. Dark blue, in case you were wondering. But that’s nothing compared to the shirt. Now I’m no genius, but I’m sure that the cotton is meant to meet in the middle and the buttons do up… nope, not the case here.

  This is a fucking disaster, I muse as Monique flashes me what can only be described as a pornstar worthy smile and roves her eyes all over me. What the hell is up with this shit? Is she some kind of hooker? Does the Mayor keep her on staff just to give out party favors? Oh fuck, is this the pleasure plane?

  She advances and I take the opportunity to deter the eager beaver. “I would love a scotch. Make it two please Monique. Oh, and here, can you stow my bag for me please doll.”

  She looks utterly bewildered as I thrust my small case into her arms and take a seat. I chuckle to myself and start revising all the research my team had gathered into the resort we were staying at. I had to hand it to the Mayor’s wife, she definitely picked a wicked place to have an illicit affair if, of course, that was what she was doing.

  The hotel looks beautiful in itself but the huts we would be staying in were right there on their own secluded section of beach. It was the perfect setup, not too many eyes around to get in our way, but enough that we would blend in as guests. I had everything ready, schematics of the hotel and surrounding areas, all I needed now was the equipment.

  Which would be here any minute….

  “What the fuck are you doing here?”

  I smiled. Show time.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Briella

  My eyes must be playing tricks on me. I can’t really be seeing who I think I am. Right?

  “Hey Bri, give daddy some sugar.” Colby stretches his arms out in an inviting hug.

  “I’ll repeat myself again because you’re seeming a little slow today. What the fuck are you doing here?”

  There’s a loud noise and I see the flight attendant shutting the door to the plane. That’s when the panic sets in.

  “Excuse me Miss. Can you open that thing back up? This man won’t be joining us on our flight today. It turns out he got on the wrong private jet. You see, he’s not well.” Nervous laughter escapes my mouth. The universe must really hate me.

  “Oh no, it’s okay Miss Fairbanks. Someone called this morning and updated the flight plan. She said she might not have been able to get in touch with you so I’d have to explain.” She smiles at me like she’s talking to a moron. Funny coming from a woman in what can only be described as hoochie clothes. Maybe the Mayor’s double dipping as well.

  I growl in frustration and head straight for the cause of all my inner anxiety. Just a foot away I stop and glare at him. The jackass smiles back, as if this isn’t a big deal.

  “Why are you here?” I grit through my teeth.

  His whole demeanor changes, going into business mode. “You need me on this case.”

  “No, I don’t. I’m perfectly capable of-” He cuts me off.

  “You are capable of a lot of things Briella, but going up against the mob isn’t one of them. Even though I’m not your favorite person in the world…”
>
  “That’s the understatement of the century, Casanova.”

  “You need me on this case. If something goes down, you’re by yourself out there with no backup. No way in good conscience could I let you go at this alone. It was an easy decision once Skylar approached me. And hey, we’ve worked on so many cases before, this will be a cake walk.”

  “Fucking Sky, I’ll kill her. And you’re blowing this out of proportion. The mob being involved is only alleged at this point. Do you really think I’d put myself in danger just to avoid seeing you?” I head for the back of the plane.

  Some of what he’s saying definitely has merit, but I don’t want him here. Thinking that, I get an idea. I turn around and walk back towards him.

  “Call Marcus.” I dare him with my eyes to shoot me down.

  “He’s on a case. Actually…” he looks down at his watch. “He’s just jumped on a flight to New York for an assignment. Any other nonsense you wanna bring up before you realize I’m your only option?”

  “Fine. But stay out of my way.” I narrow my eyes and take a seat far away from where he’s standing hoping he gets the hint. Which he obviously doesn’t.

  “How have you been Bri, we haven’t talked in ages. Give me the gossip, the 411, the lowdown.” He places his hand under his chin and god help me, he looks so freaking adorable.

  “What are we, girlfriends now?”

  “No, we’re best friends. Always have been and always will be. One stupid night will never change that Bri.”

  And he just had to bring up that night, didn’t he? Well, two can play this game.

  “How’s Casey?” I cock an eyebrow waiting for his answer.

  “Fuck Bri, don’t do that. I didn’t mean-”

  But I can’t hear anymore without reliving that night all over again, so I get up and escape into the bathroom. Damn, this bathroom is almost the same size as mine at home. Living a life of luxury definitely has its perks.

  Splashing some water on my face I try to regain my composure. How does he do this to me every single time I’m with him? Before we were stupid enough to jump in bed with each other, we were inseparable. We spent most evenings together other than when he was out trying to bang some bar slut. I’d be lying to myself if I said I didn’t have a small crush on him. Okay, that’s a total understatement. It started out as a crush until I was 15 and he stood up for me to my bitch of a cousin. That day he stole my heart and damnit, I want it back.

  Up until I met Colby I never thought I was good enough for anybody. My dad had been a total asshole, or so my mom had always told me. I don’t remember him, and mom didn’t have any pictures around the house for memories sake. She was a mess back then. She did all the things moms were meant to do and I always knew I was loved, but she was broken inside. I used to hear her scream and cry in her sleep, begging him to stop hurting her in her nightmares. It took years for her to finally find some peace but as a child, I always felt so useless because I couldn’t make her feel better.

  Then one day, the cute boy from next door smiled at me. Even at five I remember being nervous to talk to Colby out of fear that he’d laugh at me. But Colby made me feel special for the first time in my life. When it got bad we had a system. Ever seen the movie Three Ninjas? We were obsessed with it and made phones out of two cans and string going from his bedroom window to my own. Just like in the movie. When my mother’s screaming was so bad, I’d block out the world and talk to Colby until I passed out. I always passed out first because he’d never let me sit in bed alone and upset.

  That’s the Colby I slowly fell for, not the playboy who while making love to me yelled out my cousin’s name when he came. My bitch of a cousin who couldn’t care less if I was even alive was the winner of the night. I always assumed he had a thing for her even though he swore up and down that it wasn’t the case. Hearing my fears confirmed was a gut check.

  There’s a knock on the door and I’m almost certain I know who it is so I don’t bother answering. The knocking continues so I continue to ignore him.

  “Miss Fairbanks, the pilot needs to taxi out to the runway and you need to be in your seat.”

  Shit, it’s the flight attendant. Now I look like an idiot. Unlocking the door, I barely have it opened when I’m being pushed backwards. I try to say what the hell? but a hand clamps over my mouth as I’m pushed up against the bathroom wall.

  “Bri, you need to listen to me. This has gone on far too long and we need to clear the air. What I did that night was inexcusable. I know it and so do you. But I can’t go back, I can’t change what I did. All I can do is apologize and tell you how much I miss my best friend. Because I do, I miss you so fucking much.”

  I shake my head letting him know I need to speak. “Tell me why. Why did you sleep with me that night?”

  His face falls and he takes a step back. Not exactly the grand gesture I was hoping for in an answer. He scrubs his hands down his face before looking back at me.

  “I don’t know Bri. Every single time I try to wrap my mind around it, I come up blank. Why was I willing to jeopardize our relationship? I just can’t answer that. In the moment it felt right. Like our whole relationship leading up until that point came to a crossroads. But, I think we chose the wrong path. I can’t give you a relationship. I can’t give you lovey dovey shit. That’s not me. Had I known that night meant more to you…it never would have happened.”

  Wow, so this whole time he knew I wanted to be in an honest to goodness relationship with him? This whole bathroom sesh is a crush to my ego and I need to save face before I’m just the girl who’s jilted by a man. Clearly, I’m not worth a leap of faith if he can’t picture being in a relationship with me.

  I go to open my mouth but the flight attendant knocks on the door telling us we really do need to come out for takeoff.

  When I walk past Colby, I need him to know I’m not some poor pathetic girl that’s fallen in love with her best friend. I need him to think I’m not looking for anything serious with him.

  I open the door and turn my head so I can see him out of my peripherals. “I knew what that night was, too bad you ruined it by being an asshole. I was looking forward to some no strings fuckery with my best friend. A person I now know should be able to satisfy my every need. We could have had some fun, now we’ll never know.” I wink and exit the bathroom. There, take that playboy.

  ***

  Since walking out of the bathroom Colby hasn’t spoken to me. He sat as far away as humanly possible and it’s throwing me for a loop. Wasn’t he just 30 minutes ago saying how much he missed me? I suppose it’s for the best in the long run.

  I find my carry on and pull out my computer. We need to be thorough on this job and I need to be on my A-game when it comes to all the information me and the team have collected. Colby should really be seeing all of this too. When I look up I’m met with his warm brown eyes and I’m surprised to see he looks angry which makes me inwardly laugh. Now he’s the mad one? What a pussy.

  “Hey Casanova, wanna go over all the files with me? Or are you too busy brooding?”

  “I’m not fucking brooding.” He mumbles before getting up and taking the seat next to me. When his scent wafts around me my panties get a little moist. Damn he smells good. Note to self, hide his cologne for the duration of the trip.

  “This case is about the Mayor and his two-timing wife.”

  “I know.”

  “You know? How much? I need to make sure you’re up to speed.”

  “I know it all Bri. I’ve been briefed about all aspects and the players involved. Did you forget how I operate?” He has a cocky smile on his face that I want to kiss off. What… no. I want to smack it off…

  “Believe me, I know how you operate.” I reach down and pull out a few of my files while I wait for my laptop to boot up.

  “Oh, I think we’re finally getting somewhere.” He rubs his hands together. “Are we on the joking about the night in question phase?”

  I laugh. “That’s no
t actually how I meant it. But now I’m intrigued, what’s the next phase?”

  “Talking about how I rocked your world.” He winks.

  “Was that what that was? Honestly, with how much you whore around I was expecting fireworks, not a birthday candle.” I tap him on the shoulder in sympathy.

  “Hold the fuck up Briella Margaret Fairbanks.” He fully turns to face me.

  “And he’s whipping out the middle name!” I taunt.

  “I knocked your fucking socks off sweetheart. You were so out of your mind you were speaking in tongues.”

  “Or I was trying to keep quiet so I wouldn’t yell ‘Stop, this is the worst I’ve ever had!’” I snicker. Riling Colby up is so much fun.

  “No way, I want a do over. Let’s do this.” He stands up rolling his neck back and forth.

  “Wait, what? You’re insane.” I look around paranoid, thinking everyone knows what he just propositioned me.

  He levels me with a stare, confidence written all over his gorgeous face. “What, are you chicken? I never thought you were one to stand down from a challenge.”

  Fuck, I’m not. But I can’t sleep with him again, even if it’s for the sake of getting along. This could ruin everything... again. We’re going to be together in tight quarters for the next month and things can potentially turn into a cluster fuck of epic proportions.

  “What happened to,” I drop my voice, “We went down the wrong path?”

  “I fucking lied. Up you go.” He bends down and hauls me up so I’m on my feet in a matter of seconds. Then he grips my elbow and drags me towards the bathroom.

  What the hell? This can’t happen again. It crushed me last time, would I be able to recover a second time? I dig my heels in stopping our forward progress.

  He sighs and looks at me. “Listen, I know you want this as bad as I do. I haven’t stopped thinking about that night, how it felt to slide inside your tight pussy. Feeling you pulsate around my cock when you came, hard. Your cousin is nothing to me. Want some truth? I saw something in your eyes that spoke volumes to me and it scared me shitless. I don’t do relationships, you know that. When I saw my best friend in the world looking up at me with such adoration I knew I needed to make it clear.”