“Got it,” I say, staring at Jett as he stalks my way.
There’s a smile on his face, and it grows wider the closer he gets. “Hey, sweetheart. Talkin’ about me?”
I blush, fluttering my eyelashes like a love-sick teenager. “Maybe a little.”
“Are we telling everyone?” he asks, keeping his hands off me for the first time in days.
“Not yet. They—” I wave my hand toward my cousins and their men “—think it’s best to wait a little while.”
Jett lets out a long, relieved exhale as he touches his chest. “I get to live another day.”
“Truth, brother,” Pike tells Jett, earning the stink eye from me.
“Seriously, my dad is no worse than Joe, and you’re still breathing,” I tell him, rolling my eyes.
“We’re going out tonight, Jett. Want to come? We’re celebrating you two finally…” Tamara waggles her eyebrows. “You know.”
Jett blushes, something I wasn’t sure he could ever do, under any circumstances. “I’m not sure that’s a reason to celebrate, especially with your family.”
“It’s only us, silly,” Tamara says, smacking Jett’s shoulder. “We’re celebrating that you two are a couple, not that you finally did it.”
“What they’d do?” Uncle James asks, coming up behind Jett, who’s now frozen like a statue.
“They’ve officially unpacked every box,” Gigi replies, thinking quick on her feet and totally lying.
James rubs his forehead, staring at us like we’re all insane. “You guys are celebrating that? I just don’t understand kids today.”
Gigi giggles behind her hand, having the worst poker face out of everyone. “Something like that, Uncle,” she says.
“Well, you’re going to have to party without Jett. We need him tonight for a case.”
I swing my gaze to Jett, and he’s staring at my uncle with a smile. “You’re finally putting me to work?”
James nods. “This one requires someone younger than me, or I’d be going in as bait.”
I swallow, replaying the word bait in my mind. They’re going to use Jett as bait. Nothing about what Uncle James said sounds even remotely good or safe. I know my uncles and the fact that they’ve put themselves in danger more times than I can count. They are used to risking their lives, but I’m not sure how I feel about them using Jett in the same way.
“Bait?” Tamara asks, pushing herself away from Mammoth. “How dangerous are we talking?”
James laughs. “No danger, babe. Just need someone who’s a looker and younger to attract some different eyes.”
Tamara giggles. “You’re using him as sex bait?”
“No. No. Of course not,” James argues, shaking his head a little too quickly. “We’re not like that.”
“What’s wrong?” Thomas asks, coming up behind James as he sweeps his eyes over us.
“Nothing, man.” James rubs the back of his neck, trying not to look us in the eye. “Just talking about Jett and tonight.”
“Ah,” Thomas replies, placing his hand on Jett’s shoulder. “He’s just perfect for this project.”
“What is it?” I ask, unable to keep totally silent.
“Can’t say, sweetheart. You know we can’t discuss cases.”
“Is it dangerous?” I ask, hoping he’ll give me something…anything.
Thomas shakes his head. “Not dangerous. This is a domestic issue and not criminal.”
I’ve been around them long enough to know that is code for an affair. Someone, probably the wife since they’re using Jett, is sleeping around on her husband, and they’re using him as the worm, dangling his pretty face and hot body in front of her.
“Well, that’s good. Right, Lily?” Tamara asks me.
I stare at the ground, kicking at the cement, and shrug. “Yeah. That’s good.” The words may come out calmly, but I don’t feel that way. I don’t like the idea of Jett being used as bait, even if it’s only to catch a cheating wife.
“Give us a minute,” Jett says to everyone around us, including my uncles, who are the last to leave, but I don’t dare look up at them.
I keep my gaze pinned to the ground, feeling foolish about being upset over something so stupid. This is his job after all. He’ll probably have to do something like this again. He’ll probably have to do things I haven’t and can’t imagine.
Jett takes my hand, leading me away from the living room and toward the staircase, heading to the upstairs of my grandparents’ house. I don’t say anything, not wanting to draw attention to ourselves as we slip away.
He pulls me into the first room, closing the door behind us. “We need to talk,” he says, not releasing his grip on my hand.
“About what?” I ask, pretending not to be affected or jealous that someone else may touch him tonight.
His fingers are at my chin, forcing my gaze upward to meet his. “About us. About tonight. About boundaries and my inability to always keep them.”
“What?” I ask, confused.
“Lily, sometimes work may have me do things I don’t want to do. Just like tonight. I don’t want to do this assignment, but I don’t have a choice. I need to have this woman at least kiss me or else the evening is for shit.”
“Kiss you?” I repeat his words, still shocked and confused.
“Yeah, baby. She has to kiss me. But just know, I’m going to hate every minute of it.”
I blink, suddenly feeling sick. “I don’t—”
He places his finger against my lips, staring at me with pained eyes. “I won’t like it, Lily, and I know you won’t either. Just like I don’t love the idea of you touching other men’s junk at work all day.”
I roll my eyes. “I don’t touch their junk all day.”
“But you do touch dicks that aren’t mine.”
I nod, because he’s right. I can’t be a hypocrite, but there’re things which are nonnegotiable. “But I’m not kissing them.”
“But you’re holding their dicks, babe. If tonight goes down the way it’s supposed to, I’ll kiss her for ten seconds max, and then I’ll be out the door and on the way home to you.” He slides his hand up my jaw, cupping my cheek. “Just know I don’t want to kiss her. The only person my lips want is you.”
I force a smile on my face and try to tamp down the jealousy I’ve never felt with anyone before. “I know.”
“If you’d rather me tell everyone we’re a couple and my lips are off-limits, I will. It’s the only way out of it.”
“No.” She places her hand over my mouth. “Don’t tell them. Not yet.”
“Is everything okay in here?” The door opens, my aunt Izzy popping her head inside as soon as Jett drops his hand.
“We’re good. Just talking,” he says, not taking his eyes off me.
“Can I have a minute with my niece?” she asks Jett, looking between us with her auntie spidey senses no doubt going off.
“Sure.” Jett gives me a small smile. “If Lily’s okay with it.”
“Go,” I tell him, doing everything I can to stop my eyes from rolling. If she didn’t know anything was going on before, she sure as hell does now.
Her gaze is pinned on me as Jett steps back and walks around her before leaving.
“So,” she says, studying me, knowing me better than anyone besides my parents. “How long have you two been a thing?”
“A thing?” I play stupid, but by the way her shoulder’s raised and she’s tapping her foot, she knows I’m lying.
“Kid, I’ve known you since the moment you came out of your mama’s womb. I’ve seen the subtle changes in you over the last month after moving in with Jett.”
“Auntie, you have to promise not to tell anyone,” I beg and reach for her hand. “Say it.”
She stares at me, a smile on her face. “I won’t say a thing to anyone. It’s your news to share, not mine. Are you doing okay? Is he treating you right? I know how Jett is.”
I shake my head, gripping her hands tighter. “He’s
different now. He’s not the same man he was when he left town years ago. He’s treated me so good, Auntie. He’s going with Uncle James and Thomas tonight, and they’re expecting him to kiss some woman who’s the center of their case.”
“Ah,” she says, clicking her tongue. “The first time is always the hardest.”
My eyes widen. “The first time?” I whisper and swallow, looking at my aunt in an entirely new light. “Uncle James has kissed someone else?”
“Lily.” She pulls me toward the bed, sitting on the edge and patting the comforter with her palm. “Our men have a job which sometimes requires them to step outside their real lives. They have to put themselves in danger, do things that aren’t always completely legal, and occasionally have to use themselves as bait, but that’s usually only in the most extreme circumstances.”
“So, Uncle James has kissed someone else?” I repeat because she didn’t answer the first time.
“Fuck no. He knows I’d murder him.”
I snort, loving the hell out of my aunt.
20
Jett
Lying is something I’ve never been comfortable with. Sure, I’ve skated around the truth sometimes, but only when it was completely necessary, and even then, I hated it. But sitting here, surrounded by Gallos, lying my ass off about Lily and me, has been the absolute worst.
“So, Jett,” Joe asks, forkful of spaghetti in front of his face. “How are things working out with you and Lily?”
I thought I’d be happy to be away from the kids’ table and for the first time ever be sitting with the adults in the family, but that single question alone kills any happiness I felt. “Great. Just great.”
Joe’s gaze moves to Lily, who’s busy shoving the long noodles into her mouth with wide eyes. “And you, Lily? How are things with Jett?”
Lily points at her full mouth, chewing slowly and wasting time because she doesn’t want to answer the question. Knowing her, she’d say something ridiculously cute and let the news slip that we are more than roommates. She tosses him the okay sign, pinching her thumb and index finger together.
“Are you dating anyone?” Mia, Lily’s mother, asks me.
“Yes, ma’am,” I say as Lily shovels more pasta into her mouth, acting like she’s never eaten before.
“Is it serious?” Suzy asks, studying my face and always being a little nosy, just like my mother. I’m sure she’s been recruited to report back with any intel she’s able to gather about me.
I’ve been tight-lipped with everyone in my life. Everyone besides Lily’s cousins. Other than that, people are on a need-to-know basis, and Lily hasn’t found a reason for any of them to know just yet. I’m more than happy to let it be known she’s my girl, but she isn’t ready to take that step. And while I hate it, I’m going to give her a little more time before we make the announcement.
“Very serious.” I squeeze Lily’s thigh under the table.
She flinches, knocking her knee against the wood, causing all the plates and cups to jump. “They’re very, very serious,” she mumbles with her mouth full, placing her hand in front of her lips. “She’s really great.”
I gawk at her, surprised by how easily she lied. She didn’t even blink or say something wacky like she’s done so many times in the past.
But when I look around, I see I’m not the only one staring at Lily. Her little stunt with the knee was enough to turn a few heads.
“Just great,” she mutters again after swallowing down the pasta and twirling more around her fork.
Mike runs his fingers across his chin, studying his daughter closely. “And you two are settled in now?”
“Oh, yeah. They’ve done it,” James says, repeating our words from earlier.
My eyes snap to his, finding a smug grin on his face. He knows we weren’t talking about boxes. The man isn’t stupid, even if he let us get away with the stupid cover-up. But now, in front of everyone, he’s throwing me under the bus. Is this a test to see if I can handle the pressure or if I’ll crack under the watchful eye of the Gallos?
“You’ve done it?” Lily’s father asks, holding his water glass in front of his lips, blinking down at me like he’s trying to decide if he’s going to murder me or not.
Lily laughs nervously, patting her dad’s arm. “We’ve finally finished unpacking every box, Dad. I’ve told you this.”
He stares at Lily. “Is that what you’ve done?”
She nods, giving him a big smile. “Of course. You’ll have to come over and see what we’ve done with the place. You’re going to love it.”
He grunts, mumbling something under his breath about me.
“As long as you’re safe and happy, baby, we’re happy,” Lily’s mom says, answering for her husband, who’s too busy fuming to respond with actual words. “Your father and I didn’t like the idea of you living alone.” Mia’s eyes move to me, a smile spreading across her lips. “We like knowing someone’s there for you in case something happens. It’s always nice to have a man around to make you feel safe.”
“Sweetheart,” Mike interrupts, sliding his big, meaty palm over her arm. “Lily’s tough. She doesn’t need a man around to be safe. She has Statham and all the moves I taught her over the years.”
“Statham?” I ask, confused.
“My 9mm Glock,” Lily tells me as if I should know this, but I don’t. “I told you about him.”
“Your gun is a him?”
She nods, smirking. “Always.”
“And Statham?”
“She named it after Jason Statham. Lily’s always had a thing for that man,” Gigi tells me and the entire family about Lily’s Hollywood crush.
Lily rests her fork on her plate, leaning back in her chair to stare down her cousin. “What’s wrong with Jason? He’s hot.”
I turn my head, looking at Lily in a whole new light. Not only does she carry a Glock, when I assumed she was more of a .38 Revolver or a .42 since they’d both fit easily inside any of her purses.
“He’s not hard on the eyes,” Gigi argues. “But I’ll take Momoa any day.”
Lily tips her head back and laughs. “Momoa is a pretty boy. But when shit gets real, you need a guy like Statham to have your back.”
“Ridiculous,” Tamara says, finally joining the conversation. “You are both wrong. The Rock is the one you want when bad things happen.”
Gigi and Lily roll their eyes. “We’ll never agree on this,” Lily tells Tamara. “Anyway, my baby isn’t a Rock. He’s more of a Statham.”
“You’re such a weirdo,” Tamara tells her, smiling at Lily. “That’s why I love you so damn much.”
“You know,” Mike says, thankfully interrupting the conversation about hot men. “Maybe you can have Lily teach you some of the moves I taught her.”
I blink, swiveling my head back to her father when I realize he’s talking to me. I laugh. I can’t help myself. He wants his daughter to teach me how to fight? “You’re talking to me?” I ask, touching my chest.
He nods. “She’s damn good.”
“I’m sure, but I don’t think I need a girl—” And that’s where I fuck up. Every female in the room turns, glaring at me as if I’ve said the worst thing ever, insulting them all at once. “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. I’m sorry. I just meant…” I swallow, the words dying in my throat.
“Oh sweet Jesus,” Pike mutters, covering his face with his hand. “Dumbass.”
Mammoth’s the only one laughing, finding my faux pas wildly hilarious. The other men at the table, including Joe, are gawking at me like I’m about to burst into flames. But the women, they look like they’re about to lunge out of their seats, wrap their hands around my neck, and choke me out.
“I really didn’t mean it that way. I swear,” I argue, trying to save my life.
“Then…” Mike crosses his arms in front of his massive chest, leaning back in his chair, “I’m sure you won’t mind if Lily showed you some moves. I’d feel better about her living with someone
if I knew he could fight too.”
“I know how to fight,” I tell him, placing my fork back on my plate, staring him down. “I may not have a title, but I know how to throw a punch. I fought in the service all the time.”
“Not the same,” Mike says. “If you have a problem learning from a woman, stop by the gym, and I’ll teach you a few moves.”
Lily moves her hand to my leg, squeezing. “Do it,” she whispers, because she’s not the one who’s going to get punched in the face.
I’m sure when her father trained her, he was gentle. She’s his daughter after all. But me? He’s going to beat me to a bloody pulp, showing off his ability and making it clear which one of us is tougher.
“It’ll be good for you to get a few lessons before we send you out on too many assignments,” Thomas says, adding to my misery.
“Fine. Fine. Lily can teach me,” I say because there’s no way I’m going toe-to-toe with a retired professional fighter and the man whose daughter I’m currently sleeping with.
“I’ll do it,” Lily says, smiling. “I could use the practice anyway.”
“You can use the gym. I can schedule some time for you two in the ring,” Mike offers.
Lily shakes her head. “We’ll do it at home, Dad. The sand is just as soft and more private. I’d hate for anyone else to be around when I kick Jett’s ass.” She giggles, sounding so sure of herself for the first time.
I chuckle, but a small part of me wonders if she can, in fact, kick my ass. “I can’t wait to see you try, baby.”
Size doesn’t matter. That’s a mistake so many people make when deciding if their opponent has the power to bring them to their knees. And with Lily, I’m at a total disadvantage. I can’t hit her. I can’t hurt her. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself. So, I’m going to be stuck on the defensive, trying not to get my ass beat by a chick, and powerless to fight back.
There’s silence around the room, all eyes on me. “What?” I ask, throwing out my arms, wondering why they’re all gaping at me.
“Baby?” Mike raises an eyebrow.
Blaze: Men of Inked Heatwave #4 Page 18
