by T Gephart
I’d been careful last night. Checking the rearview to see if we were getting tailed, but nothing had given me reason for concern. Just to be sure, I took the long way, adding a few extra miles before lapping around.
Whether or not she returned to the piece of shit rental after I handed her over to her father was none of my biz, but while she was with me she wasn’t going back. That would be stupid.
And stupidity seemed to be a theme that continued too, with the sunrise bringing a variable I hadn’t counted on.
When she’d packed up her shit last night she neglected to mention the off-duty detective work she had been compiling while moonlighting. Because being a cop wasn’t bad enough, clearly. Instead she’d taken it upon herself to compile shit while she was off the clock as well. And the thumb drive that had held a database she was putting together wasn’t the sort of thing you wanted lying around. Especially if that shit fell into the wrong hands. And I didn’t mean the cops. So much for not going back to her place.
She looked rested as she stared at me across the room, my bed giving her the respite it hadn’t given me last night.
“Just tell me where the fucking thing is.”
Taking her to her house in broad daylight wasn’t an option, especially not after I’d successfully evact’d her. Going back in was a whole bunch of complications, not to mention the stupidest move ever.
“I can come with you. I’ll be in and out quicker because I know what I’m looking for.” She checked her nine, sliding an extra clip into the pocket of her jeans.
Man, she was a pain in the ass. Firstly, that she’d be so stupid leaving that shit behind, and secondly thinking she was coming with me.
“Here are your options.” I was quickly losing patience with this shit as I held up my hand. “You either tell me where it is and I go in cleanly, or I lock you in the basement and tear your place apart and find it myself. Neither of those scenarios involves you moving your ass from this house. You got me?” I pointed to the chair she’d lifted her ass out of, our morning meeting not going to plan after she fessed up about the fucking computer files.
“You aren’t locking me in a basement.” Her eyes got wide, not looking convinced that it wasn’t where she was going to end up. “I’m still holding a gun.” She held it up like I needed the reminder.
“I don’t give a fuck if you are holding a rocket launcher, the fact is remaining unchanged. If you hadn’t been so stupid in the first place and left it behind, we wouldn’t even be having this discussion. And I have a very low tolerance for stupidity and conversation, you might do well to remember that.”
I should have asked for more fucking money, if only to cover the truckload of freaking Advil I was going to need for the headache. Seriously, what the hell was wrong with shutting the fuck up and letting me do my job?
“You’re calling me stupid?” Her eyelids peeled back in surprise, obviously not having entertained the thought. “You gave me barely any time to pack. It wasn’t the most pressing thing on my mind,” she spat back defensively. “It’s in a locked drawer and the files are password protected. No one besides the two of us even knows about it, there is nothing even hinting to its existence on my hard drive.”
“You’re staying here.” I took a couple of steps closer, my body looming over hers. I was done with negotiating. “Tell me where the fuck it is.”
“The bathroom cabinet, the bottom left drawer.” She folded her arms across her chest finally conceding defeat. “The key is—”
“I don’t need the key.” I waved her off; the key was the least of my problems. I was more concerned about her need to make things difficult. I didn’t need the bitch suddenly developing a feeling of empowerment and deciding to follow. And that kind of surprise wasn’t happening.
“Now let’s get you downstairs so I can get this shit taken care of.”
There was no need to elaborate; the flick of fear in her eyes was enough of clue that she knew where my head was at.
“I told you where it is.” Her words might have sounded confident but her body told me otherwise, her feet taking a step backward.
“Downstairs, Sofia.” I didn’t yell, there was no need to, the words crystal clear there would be no further argument.
Those pretty hazel eyes narrowed, her slim body throwing off attitude even though she was far too small to be anywhere near intimidating. And I could tell she wanted nothing more than to take that loaded nine from her waistband, aim it at yours truly and pull the trigger. But she wouldn’t, more to the fact I knew she couldn’t. She wasn’t like me, she needed a good reason to take someone’s life and as of yet, I hadn’t given her enough of one.
“Keep your gun loaded and don’t argue.” I motioned to the stairs, ready to get this show on the fucking road. “And anyone other than me comes through the door, shoot first and ask questions later. This isn’t the time for you to have a conscience.”
“When this is over, I’m going to make sure you burn in hell like the rest of them.” She released her arms, taking a tentative step forward.
“I don’t believe in hell, sweetheart.” My lips curled, my laugh unable to be contained. “But you go ahead and tell yourself whatever you need to.”
Her mouth goldfished, the words she’d wanted to say not making it out. I didn’t care if it was to cuss me out or try and convince me I was wrong, nothing she said mattered to me. I wasn’t the kind of man who could easily be swayed by words. And I was beginning to think that deep down she knew she was better off saving her breath. I watched as she moved to the stairs, her eyes roving constantly as her hands twitched at her sides.
She didn’t speak, she didn’t cry and she didn’t argue. Her feet stepped steadily down into the basement with me behind her. And as much as I was a cold-hearted bastard, not even I could deny how well she was handling all of this. I’d seen men twice her size and double her age fold like a pack of cards, and I hadn’t even seen her chin wobble. Or at the very least, she had enough mental fortitude to keep that shit to herself.
“I’ll be back soon,” I said, surprising myself with the explanation. “Stay out of trouble.”
She didn’t answer, her eyes locked on mine as I closed and secured the door with her behind it.
I didn’t like people in my personal space, especially women. And the one who was currently locked in my basement was no exception. The sooner I could wrap it up and get her out of my hair, the better. Not to mention the additional heat it would undoubtedly send my way.
Thanks a lot, Jimmy, you piece of shit.
So, rather than contemplate how much I disliked socializing, I locked up the house and armed the security system. I had it rigged to remotely notify me if some asshole even breathed an inch over my property line, so at least there was that. And with my ass in my car, I was back on the road, not excited at the prospect of getting to know her neighbors.
Like the night before, I took a few unscheduled turns and detours on the off chance I had someone on my ass. As far as I could tell there was nothing suspect as I stopped a few doors down from Sofia’s residence. Not so far that I couldn’t access a quick getaway, but not advertising where in particular I had business either. The place looked even more rundown in the light of day.
I couldn’t help but shake my head, still pissed the trip was needed as I made my way to her front door. I didn’t bother asking for the key. I’d managed just fine without it, preferring my way of doing things. And with my hand rake and pick, the lock popped open with little effort. It was a talent. I’d been able to get myself inside doors before I’d known my times tables, although my tools were a lot better these days.
Once inside, I didn’t bother wasting minutes, double-timing to her bathroom and retrieving the tiny silver thumb drive that had caused the headache in my frontal lobe.
Then, before I left, I made some adjustments to her house.
She’d raised a good point last night. Her boss would probably come sniffing around wondering sooner or later,
and we had enough fucking problems without attracting the Chicago PD.
It was a risk. My actions would no doubt invite some kind of investigation, but I hoped that the chaos would burn in on itself. Ironic really, considering my methods.
No one would really know what happened to her. Not with any certainty, and that’s all that we needed for now. Plus the confusion could possibly chill some of the others’ attempts. These guys hated attention and it was harder to kill a person when she was the leading news story.
And before I became part of that leading story, I got back into my ride and left. The trip back to my place took a little longer on the return on account of the fucking traffic.
Even though Jimmy hadn’t given me any sort of direction, my plan had been to relocate her somewhere else today. There had been no good reason for it other than a feeling I got that shit wasn’t right, but then decided against it. Moving in the daylight would be stupid at the moment. Unless there was reasonable intel to suggest anyone knew where we were, the best thing would be to stay put, at least for the next few days. And there was no way in hell I was doing anything during the day.
The house was quiet when I opened the back door. Honestly, I was surprised. I wasn’t sure what I expected, but compliance wasn’t it. The door down to the basement had been bolted from the outside, so unless Sofia had X-Men powers I didn’t know about, there was little chance she’d been able to get out. But it didn’t mean she wouldn’t try. Possibly smash something against it.
“I’m back.” I pulled open the door, allowing her to walk back up the stairs and into the main part of the house.
She looked pissed. Like her time down there had marinated her bad mood, the attitude amplified as she stepped into the living room.
“Wow, thanks. Couldn’t have worked that out on my own.” The sarcasm dripped from every word, as did her displeasure. And I couldn’t help the smile that crept across my face, enjoying both.
“Change of plans, we’re staying here for the next day or two. I’ll evaluate then.” I didn’t bother giving her the particulars. Partly because I hadn’t decided when we’d mobilize, and partly because I enjoyed pissing her off. Besides, the less anyone knew the better, less chance of someone fucking it up.
“I need to call my boss. My shift starts in less than an hour.” She ignored my statement completely, disregarding my plan for laying low as she held out her hand for my cell. “You said I could call.”
It was a statement, not a question.
“Yeah, I changed my mind.” I folded my arms across my chest, my smirk getting wider. “Figured it was better you didn’t say anything.”
In all honesty, I couldn’t trust her. And while she had been compliant up till now, I couldn’t be sure she wasn’t biding her time. She still had her piece and ammo, and that was as big of a concession as I was going to make. The risk of a tip off far outweighing any concerns her boss might have. Besides, by the time her shift started, it was no longer going to be an issue.
“That isn’t smart,” she snapped, unable to keep her annoyance under wraps. “They’ll come looking.”
Ignoring her, I walked over to my computers, the monitors coming to life with the flick of the mouse. She followed close behind despite the lack of invitation, her mouth no doubt not done with whatever she needed to say and I didn’t care to hear.
“I have a gun. I could easily shoot my way out of here.” She barely took a breath before continuing. “And if this is about my safety then surely I should have a say in it. I’m trained, I’m not a liability.”
She watched as I sat at my desk, my fingers twisting the knob of the small handheld scanner that sat beside the monitors, the static pop making her flinch as I adjusted the volume. The garble slowly formed into coherency, the efficient yet impassive voices of dispatchers tossing words back and forth with units in the field.
“That’s my address.” Sofia’s focus bored into the scanner, like eyeballing it would give her any further clues. Her hands gripping the back of my chair so tightly, the leather creaked in protest.
“Hmmm, sounds like it.” Cue my lack of surprise as the word suspected explosion and fire were attached to the current description of the property. The state of the occupants had yet to be ascertained.
“What the hell?” Sofia’s hand moved to her mouth, the sharp intake of air whistling past her lips.
“Sounds like there was some kind of fire. Huh. I guess that negates any questions that will be asked. It will take some time for the fire department to comb it for a body.” My eyes moved to hers, the lids had peeled back to maximum.
It’s not how I usually liked to operate, a little sloppy if I was honest. But I had limited time and even less resources, so a trip to Wal-Mart was not in the cards. So I worked with what I had, the result a little messier than I would have liked, but no less effective.
“What did you do?” She blinked back in disbelief; her head shaking like that would suddenly make it less real.
I didn’t bother lying. No reason, besides it was probably going to be on the next news bulletin anyway—the blast rocking surrounding houses.
“I pulled your gas line from behind your stove. Then it was just a matter of cranking your heating and waiting for either the spark from the thermostat or the pilot light to ignite. Hard to know which it was. Gas is unpredictable when it’s pissing out. Good thing you weren’t in there.” I shrugged, slowly turning to face her. “I hope you have renter’s insurance,” I said coolly, the edges of my mouth cranking a little higher.
“You bombed my fucking house.” The words spat out of her mouth as her fists white-knuckled at her sides. “You bastard! You could have killed someone. I have neighbors. What if—”
“You’ve forgotten I don’t give a shit.” I quickly ended her list of possible scenarios I hadn’t been paid to care about. “You think I give a rat’s ass if your dumbass neighbor got toasty? Newsflash, they aren’t my responsibly.”
I wasn’t stupid, unless there were bone fragments, teeth—anything that could yield DNA, all I’d done was buy us some time and leveled her house. But it was a hundred percent the right call.
On paper it looked like madness, drawing attention to her and by virtue to me. The arson/suspected murder investigation sure to throw her name into the spotlight. Add in she was a highly respected member of the force and whose daddy happened to have a questionable employment history. And that was the kind of story that Matt Lauer jerked off to at night. So why paint an even bigger target on my back? Easy. Nothing like hiding in plain fucking sight, the mayhem giving me just the kind of cover I needed. Every asshole on both sides of the line would be stalled trying to gather details while we ghosted. Oh, and detonations gave me a hard-on.
“I hate you, you son-of-a-bitch.” Her right hook came closer than I would have liked, my fist catching it before it made contact with my jaw. “I hate you and my father.” Her voice dripping with so much venom I was surprised she hadn’t gone for her gun.
“Once again, sweetheart.” I forced her shaking hand away from my face, the resistance hinting she’d thrown some conviction behind it. “I don’t give a shit what you or anyone else thinks. And I’m not here to help you sort out your fucking daddy issues either.”
“Yeah, well right now I’m not sure who I’d rather see dead, him or you.” Her jaw was so tight the words barely got out, her hand shaking loose from my grip.
“But I’m the bad guy, right? Maybe you are more like me than you think.” I laughed, pointing out what a fucking hypocrite she was being. “I’m a lot of things, Sofia, but I’m not pretending to be something I’m not.”
She wanted to walk away; I saw it in the way her body twitched. Her response the usual when it came to me. Run away. Fast. But she didn’t. Her feet planted in place refusing to budge.
“You tell yourself whatever you need to, Michael.” She said my name in place of bastard or asshole, but we both knew she wasn’t being polite. “But we are nothing alike.”
The stare competition could have gone on for hours. Maybe it did, I didn’t bother checking my watch as I met her eyeballs with my own.
I felt the loathing, her repulsion.
I welcomed it.
Liked it even.
And it jacked me up so tight my balls ached.
This was as close to foreplay as I had ever gotten, the pure disgust giving me a hard-on.
Most men wanted the game. Their ego stroked followed by their cock, but I didn’t prescribe to the BS. I didn’t want the lie, or a woman to call my own. Sex—well that was necessary, and I preferred it uncomplicated and emotion-free, which is why I usually paid for it. At least with a hooker there wasn’t a pretense. And let me be clear, when it came to women, you were paying one way or another. My way was cheaper.
Even hookers were smart enough to know there was more to me than met the eye. Sure, they were all I’m-so-wet-for-you-baby while I fucked them, but I could sense their fear. I watched them struggle with the instinct to run, even though I’d given them no reason. It wasn’t my face that scared them off, some of them getting turned on by what I had to offer, nope it was my lack of connection to anything with a heartbeat. That’s the kind of emotion you couldn’t fake and more importantly, I didn’t want to. But everyone wants to get paid, so they pushed the urge down and gave me what I wanted.
Sofia was different.
Not just because she wasn’t a whore, but because it wasn’t fear that was prickling her skin.
It was fury in her eyes, her distaste.
And that lack of fear is what got me hard.
Still, there wasn’t a chance I’d bury my cock into the woman in front of me. Not because she couldn’t get me off. Fuck knows that tight ass of hers and those perky tits would be enough of a reason. And it wasn’t out of some sense of morality or decency—we both knew I had neither. No, the reason I wouldn’t take her was because I wanted it, and that feeling unnerved me more than anything.
Neither of us spoke.
The silent showdown not one either of us was willing to concede.
