by K. Langston
She nodded, not looking up from her laptop.
“Good. We need to talk.”
“Not now, Ry. I’m busy.”
“Doing what?”
“Ignoring you.”
A heavy silence descended.
“Listen, Reese, I’m sorry about yesterday. I didn’t mean for it to come out the way it did, it’s just—”
“No, it’s fine. I get it.”
“I just want what’s best for you.”
“Don’t you think I want what’s best for me, too?”
Folding my arms across my chest, I gave her a disbelieving look. Sometimes, I wondered how we were even twins. We’re so different. Reese has always been the free spirit of the family. She craved chaos. Her life was a mess, though she’d never admit it. She was perfectly happy and content to live on a cloud of denial.
With no place to call her own, she had no job, and no plans to attain either in the near future. She crashed here whenever she was in town, or with Asher or Benson. But other than that, it was anyone’s guess where she laid her head at night.
Her only source of income was from the sale of her paintings, but I knew for a fact that wasn’t enough to live and travel the way she did.
Which had me growing suspicious. So, when she showed up yesterday morning at four a.m. smelling like alcohol and looking like she’d spent the night in the streets, I confronted her about everything. And she’d all but told me to go to hell.
I knew my sister and this was not her. She’d never kept things from me. But I could feel her becoming more and more distant and secretive. Something was up, but I didn’t know what.
But I aimed to find out.
“Don’t give me that look.”
“How can you even afford to go to the places you do when you don’t have any money?”
She huffed. “I have plenty of money.”
“How?”
“None of your business.”
“You’re my sister, goddamn it, it is my business.”
She’d been keeping us all in the dark long enough. I wanted answers damn it, and I wanted them now.
“Don’t worry, it’s not illegal,” she teased, but I didn’t find anything funny about any of this.
“Fuck, what is it then?”
“Jesus, calm down, Ryker.”
“You do realize we’re all cops, right? We’ll find out one way or another.”
She threw her head back and laughed, then leveled her gaze with mine. “Go for it.”
Anger burned in my veins.
Rounding the counter, I pressed my hands to the granite and pinned her with a warning glare. “Don’t test me, Reese. Remember who you’re talking to. I’m just as determined and stubborn as you are.”
Her eyes flickered with challenge. Just like the rest of us, she would cut her teeth on anybody who stood in the way of what she wanted. We all had our bite I suppose, some just more sharp and determined than others.
“You sure you’re up for this?” I asked, chewing on my bottom lip.
He reached for my hand, the paper gown crinkling beneath my knuckles. “I’m sure.” Leaning forward, he pressed a kiss to my jaw before landing one on my lips. “Now relax, baby.”
Blowing out a breath, I reclined back, focusing on the ceiling while he sat next to the bed scrolling through his phone.
Hank had suggested I use one of their referred doctors, but I felt comfortable with Dr. Madar. She was a kind woman with a good bedside manner and was very personable. She’d been my OB-GYN for five years now. When I’d had my last miscarriage, she’d comforted me. Trent had done his part—the grieving father bit—for show. But, of course, he didn’t care. I think she had sensed that.
She’d asked me several times if there was anything I wanted to talk about. She hadn’t pushed, but I could tell she wanted to.
I’d called ahead of time to make payment arrangements and spoke in detail with Dr. Madar about my situation. I didn’t want to file anything under insurance to prevent Trent from finding out about the baby, and Ryker wanted to be there for everything so I wanted to be honest with her.
She’d been very understanding.
“We should be able to hear the heartbeat today, right?” Ryker said, still studying the screen.
“Hopefully. How’d you know? What are you looking at over there?”
“I downloaded an app.”
“What kind of app?”
“Felix told me about it. He used it when Holly was pregnant.” He lifted his eyes to mine. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“That’s so sweet.” I smiled, tears burning my eyes. “What else does that app say?”
“Says you’re going to be emotional.”
I scoffed. “That’s an understatement.”
“Also says you’re going to be very horny,” he finished, smiling proudly. “But don’t worry, baby. I got that part covered.”
A flush rushed up my neck. I’d been insatiable lately. The other morning we had sex on the kitchen table.
The kitchen freaking table!
It was the best sex of my life.
Standing, he stood over me. His arms on each side of the bed, caging me in. He looked so damn handsome and intimidating, but in such a good way.
“Have I told you how beautiful you look today?”
Moving my hands to his face, I sighed. “Have I told you how sexy you look in that uniform?”
I was on fire for him, the ache between my legs building more and more with each passing breath. He’d picked me up after his shift, intent on being at every appointment.
He groaned against my mouth. “Just think how sexy I’ll be when I’m fucking you in it.”
Heat licked at my core as his dirty words leaped through my mind, his tongue tasting my lips.
“I can’t say I haven’t fantasized about that,” I confessed, boldly moving my hand to his zipper, feeling the hardness beneath my palm.
Covering my hand with his own, he gently rubbed himself, lowering his lids to half-mast. “What else have you fantasized about?”
A knock sounded against the door as it slowly opened.
Ryker let go of a harsh whisper, releasing my hand before adjusting himself. “Fuck. We’ll continue this conversation later,” he gritted before turning his attention toward Dr. Madar as she greeted us and made her way into the room.
She practically beamed with joy as we stepped off the elevator and into the parking garage. She couldn’t stop staring at the small ultrasound photo in her hand.
I couldn’t stop staring at her.
With her hand clasped in mine, I led her to my police cruiser. “I think we need to resume our earlier conversation,” I said, pressing her against the driver side door. She tucked the photo in her purse before winding her arms around my neck. “I want to know more about these fantasies.” Digging my fingers into her hips, I tilted my hips, showing her how hard I was for her. I wanted to fuck her right here and now, but I needed to control myself.
At least until we made it inside the damn car.
She purred against my neck, the sound and vibration racing straight to my dick.
“Which one?” Her tongued darted out, tasting my skin.
I growled as a dark need settled over me. Opening the door, I sat down, scooting the seat back as far as it would go before pulling her in to straddle me.
She dropped her purse in the passenger seat before bringing her hands to rest on my chest. “Is this safe?” she asked, looking around.
“You’re always safe with me, baby.”
“No, I mean, what if someone sees us?”
“No one’s going to see us. Promise.”
She nodded, relaxing against me. “Are you about to make one of my fantasies come true?”
“Depends. Are you telling me you want me to fuck you right here, right now?”
“Yes,” she whispered against my lips as my hands inched up her thighs, pushing her dress up.
“What else do you w
ant, baby?”
Her hand moved to my side, slipping the handcuffs from the holster before dangling them between us.
Fuck me.
Now she’s making one of my fantasies come true.
“You sure?” I asked, gently wrapping my fingers around her wrist.
Her hooded eyes sparkled with desire and curiosity. “Absolutely.”
I secured one of her wrists, making sure it wasn’t too tight. “You’re under arrest, ma’am.”
She faked a gasp as I secured both hands, placing them around my neck. “Under arrest? For what, Officer?”
“Copping a feel,” I informed her, squeezing her ass.
Throwing her head back, she let out a bark of laughter. “Seems to me like you’re the one breaking the law.”
“I’d break them all for you, baby. Lift your hips.”
She complied quickly. I unzipped my pants, freeing my hard cock before I pulled her panties aside. The smile died from her lips and was replaced with short, ragged breaths.
Rubbing the tip back and forth, I found her wet and ready.
And so fucking hot.
She lowered herself, her tight pussy gripping my cock one painful inch at a time. Then she began to bounce her ass up and down, riding me slow and steady as she braced herself on the headrest of the seat. I reached up, pulling down the neckline of her dress to latch onto her hard, pink nipple, sucking it into my mouth.
Her pace quickened, but I couldn’t take it anymore. Holding her hips in place, I lifted my own, pumping into her over and over again. Her eyes held mine, need swirling like a hurricane behind those blue irises.
“You with me?” She nodded then cried out, burying her face in my neck as we came together.
A few minutes later, she lifted her head. “That was way better than I imagined.”
“I think I need to conduct a strip search when we get home, make sure I didn’t miss any incriminating evidence,” I stated before kissing her sweet mouth.
“Anything you say, Officer.”
Two months later…
My boots pounded the pavement as I rounded the corner, my lungs fighting for air against my ribcage.
Son of a bitch.
I should have known he would bolt. The second his eyes locked with mine, I knew it was going to be a chase.
My adrenaline pumped harder, propelling me forward.
He made the mistake of taking a right down a back alley, and I knew I had him.
I tagged the back of his jacket, taking him down.
“You’re under arrest,” I shouted, flipping him over and pressing my knee into his back. His hands scrambled for purchase on the wet concrete, attempting to buck me off, but I secured both hands easily then reached for the mic on my shoulder, giving Felix my location.
Then I stood him up and patted him down.
“Let me go, motherfucker!”
“Motherfucker? Now is that any way to address an officer?”
“Fuck you.”
“Fuck me? Disrespectful and a thief…nice.”
“I wasn’t gonna steal it, I’s just checkin’ it out.”
“Checking it out, huh? Then why did you run?”
Felix and I were wrapping up our last call for the day when I caught him trying to break into a nearby car. He took off the second he clocked us.
“No, I ran because you scared me.”
“Scared you? What are you doing out here, kid? Why aren’t you in school?”
“I learn everything I need to know on the streets, man. Them schools don’t teach you shit. Get shot quicker there than out here.”
Sadly, he had a point.
“Trust me, there’s a hell of a lot more to life than stealing cars and running from the law.”
He scoffed. “Not much.”
Felix shook his head, opening the back door for me as I led him to the car. “When will they learn?”
Slamming the door, I checked the time. Fuck, I was going to be late getting to MaryAnn. I still had to process this kid and fill out my reports.
Reaching for my cell phone, I swiped the screen to call her.
“Hey, babe. Sorry, but I got stuck at work. I shouldn’t be more than half an hour.”
“Don’t worry about it. Sybil says she can take me home.”
“I’d really prefer if you waited for me.”
“Ryker, I’m tired. I just want to go home and soak in a long, hot bath.”
His sexy growl rumbled down the line. “How about you hold off on that bath until I get home?”
I smiled, my tummy dipping as I thought about all of the delicious things he could do to me. “Okay. I’ll hold off on the bath but not on going home. I’m tired and ready to put my feet up.”
He groaned with disapproval, muttering something about how stubborn I was, and I laughed.
He could be so cute when he’s grumpy.
After Sybil dropped me off, I walked into the building and down the vacant hallway. I was pulling out my key when he came out of nowhere.
A gasp fled my mouth as terror gripped me. His body pressed against mine, trapping me between him and the door as his hand swiftly covered my mouth.
“Not one fucking word.” The menacing voice I had tried desperately to forget sent a tremor of fear down my spine. “Open the door, MaryAnn.”
I shook my head, trying to push out a muffled scream behind the pressure of his hand. Something sharp dug into my back, halting my movement and sound.
“Open the fucking door,” he gritted close to my ear. “Or I’ll make you wish you had.”
Closing my eyes, I nodded, not wanting him to hurt the baby. I lifted my shaky hand and stuck the key in the lock. He shoved me through the open door, forcing me to trip over my own feet, landing on my knees. I quickly turned to face him, scooting back as far as I could while he locked the door, keeping a hand behind his back.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, trying to steady my voice as I got to my feet.
“We have some things we need to discuss.”
I shook my head. “No, we don’t. Ryker will be home any minute. You need to leave. Now.”
The smirk residing on his face was just as evil as the look in his eyes. “You think I’m scared of your boyfriend?”
“You should be,” I fired back.
“When were you planning on telling me you are pregnant with my baby?”
Oh God. How did he find out?
I swallowed thickly. “I’m not.”
He saw right through the lie and moved toward me in a fit of rage, backhanding me. “Lying bitch.”
I fell to the floor, a strangled noise purged from my lips, out of both anger and pain. I spat the blood pooling in my mouth while my eyes darted around the room for an escape.
“Doctor’s office called and left a message for your next prenatal appointment.” He shook his head. “I was going to let you go, MaryAnn,” he said, sounding calmer, but the crazed look in his eyes said otherwise. “I didn’t want your whore ass anymore, knowing you spread your legs for that asshole. But now that you have my baby, all bets are off. Go pack. You’re coming home.”
“No!”
His face was an angry shade of red, fire burning in his dark eyes as he brought the hidden hand from behind his back, revealing a knife.
Oh my God!
“You have two choices, MaryAnn. You can either come home and have this baby with me or you don’t have it at all.”
“You can’t do this.”
“Watch me.”
I made a run for it, heading straight for the bedroom as I fumbled with my purse that was still draped across my body to retrieve my phone.
I slammed the door and flicked the lock in place before he could catch me. As his fists pummeled the wood, I swiped the screen of my cell phone with an unsteady hand and hit the last call button.
Ryker answered immediately. “Hey, babe. I’m on my way—”
“Ryker!” I sobbed, looking around for anything I could use as a weapon.
“MaryAnn? What—”
“He’s here! Please hurry.”
Before he had a chance to respond, Trent barreled through the door. A scream shredded from my throat while the phone fell from my trembling hand. I reached for the lamp but was unable to make contact before his hard body slammed into me, taking me to the ground. My head met the hardwood with a resounding thud. Stars danced before my eyes as darkness began to creep in.
He stood above me as I rolled around with a groan, trying to regain my bearings. His eyes were as black as night when his foot cranked back and sent a painful blow to my stomach. I screamed, both in agony and pain, as my heart shattered into a million pieces.
Standing over me, he twisted the knife in his hand, the reflection of the long, sharp blade taunting and cruel. Trent’s expression grew darker, devoid of any emotion, and the words that followed sliced right through me. “I’m going to cut this fucking baby out of you.”
Oh God, Ryker, where are you?
As long as I live and breathe, I’ll never forget the sound of her voice. The fear and desperation sent my heart sinking to my stomach.
I floored the gas, red and blue lights bouncing off the darkened road.
I swear to God, if that motherfucker laid one goddamn hand on her, I’m going to kill him.
By the time I made it up to my apartment, I could hear her screaming from down the hall. Anger and fear fueled my pounding feet.
“MaryAnn?” I roared, kicking in the door with my gun drawn.
Rushing down the hall, I found her in the bedroom on the floor. My knees damn near gave out when I caught sight of the knife in his hand.
“Freeze! Back the fuck away from her. Now!” I ordered, rounding him from the outside. His body stiffened but he didn’t obey the demand. “Goddamn it. I said back the fuck up!” My raw voice pierced the heavy silence as I caught a glimpse of blood trickling from the corner of MaryAnn’s mouth.
The bastard finally turned to me, eyes narrowed with the same hatred coursing through my own blood. “You will not have my baby or my wife.”
The moment he fell to his knees, knife raised, I didn’t hesitate, squeezing the trigger again and again until his lifeless body lay bleeding on the floor.
