Pulse_Chicago Underground

by Erin Trejo

  “I told Jamie what you said, that it was for him. Do you know what he said?” She asks me. I smirk, shake my head and pull a hand free of my pocket bringing it to run along my jaw.

  “Well, that is hard to say considering he wanted to stick his cock in something that belonged to me.” Tala flinched at the word belonged. I saw it. There is no mistaking that.

  “He said that his work is confidential and that got me thinking. The more those words rang through my head the more I thought.” God, she is sexy as hell standing in front of me holding so much power.

  “And what did you think?” Tala smiles at me, her eyes twinkling.

  “That I was lied to.”

  Chapter 25

  Tala

  “Who lied to you, Tala?” His words are a slap to the face. I want to run into his arms and tell him everything I know. I want to kiss him and forget everything else. I want him to hold me and tell me that he will fix all the wrongs but I can’t. I have to be stronger than I was before. Where I was weak, I’ve found a new strength.

  “Everyone, Cole. Everyone has lied to me for the last six years of my life.” He narrows his eyes at me trying to piece together what I’m saying. The more I watch him, the more I gauge him. And the more I gauge him, the more I can read him. Cole said something right to Brady before I made myself known. He had peeled away a layer of his heart and gave it to me. I did hold it. I did run my fingers over it and I got the best taste of it that I could but there was one mistake on my part. I didn’t cherish it. I didn’t handle it with care. I didn’t protect it the way I should have.

  “I wasn’t in your life six years ago, Tala. What does this have to do with me?” He asks, his tone remaining steady. I want him to fight me. I want him to get pissed and come after me but he won’t and I know he won’t.

  “You, maybe not but Jamie was. I just didn’t see him. I didn’t know he was around then.” Cole eyes me, a strange look crossing his face. I just grin.

  “Staying with Jamie was the smartest thing I’ve ever done. Do you know the things I can hear when people believe I’m sleeping?” I ask. Cole grunts taking a step closer to me. I can smell his cologne as it dances into my nose making my heart stutter.

  “Well, Jamie was never one to be inconspicuous. He was always a little to urgent to discuss things at the wrong times,” Cole says, his eyes dancing with darkness.

  “I’d say that was a very good observation.” Cole reaches out, running his fingers over my collarbone and up my throat. I gasp from his touch. Heat collects in me. I’ve missed that touch.

  “Are you going to tell me what you heard?”

  “No. Not yet,” I whisper. Cole chuckles, slipping his other hand from his pocket and wrapping it around my waist. Pulling me closer to him, I can feel the hardness of his body.

  “Then tell me, Tala. What are you doing here if not to give me information?” His lips are so close to mine. I can nearly taste him on my tongue.

  “Do you know what fear feels like, Cole?” I ask him seriously. He shakes his head, running his tongue over his bottom lip.

  “It’s the worst feeling in the world. It feels like you will never see the sun. Like you are always stuck in the night. Every bump or thud makes your heart leap in your chest. You can’t breathe. You feel as though you’re drowning. You claw your way to the top only to be tugged back to the bottom.” His fingers keep dancing on my skin making it hard to think.

  “What are you afraid of, Tala?”

  “You.” Before I can finish, his lips claim mine. His kiss is harsh like the man himself. His tongue dives into my mouth, licking and dancing with my own. Desire shoots through me like a rocket. I need this man. It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve tried to rethink it, I need him but I’m afraid that what I’ve just done is going to cause me to lose him. I’m afraid that when he learns it was me, he will kill me. So, for the moment I let myself go and feel the way he touches me. The way my insides explode when he’s near. My heart races, dancing in my chest. My stomach flutters and falls at just the touch of his hands.

  “You should never fear me, Tala. I’ve never given myself to another the way I have with you. I should fear you.” His words are like a stake to the heart. I know what’s coming. It’s only a matter of time. I’ve ruined things between us in the worst way possible. I can feel that tension as it seeps into my pores. I can’t take it back now. It’s all too late.

  “But I do fear you, Cole. I fear that nothing will be the same. I fear that you will hate me with everything you have inside of you once you’ve learned what I’ve done,” I tell him. His lips continue to run along my neck as if he hadn’t heard a word I said to him. The licks and sucks shake my body but when he bites roughly into my shoulder, I scream his name.

  “Cole!”

  “Oh, my sweet, Tala,” He breathes slipping his hand up my side and around my throat. With the sexiest of squeezes, he tightens his grip. One more kiss on the lips and he pulls back, his eyes on fire. It isn’t a sexual fire though. It’s a fire that threatens to burn me to my core. A fire that has the power to reduce an entire state to a pile of ash.

  “You think I don’t know what’s about to come?” He tsks. “Sweet, Tala. You may have touched me but you didn’t hold on. You lost that right. I know what’s about to happen and for your sake, I hope you made the right decision. There are many threats out there but you don’t even know half of them. When my brother barges through that door for me, I ask you not to leave this house. That is the only reassurance of your safety.” Cocking my head to the side, I stare at him. How does he know? Jamie said he didn’t tell. There is no way Cole could know that Jamie is coming for him. Panic dances like a ballerina in my stomach. Cole’s hand tightens a little more as he walks me backward. My back hits the wall before his lips claim mine again. My body reacts but that’s nothing new. When he pulls back, I gasp.

  “Did you think that because you left me that I would fall apart? That I would drown in my agony?” He chuckles darkly.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “But you do. You know exactly what I’m talking about it. I can guess that in the next few minutes, Jamie Frost will come storming through that door,” He says, pointing toward the front door before looking back in my eyes. “With his hoard of agents. I’ll be whisked away to the local jail where my lawyer is currently waiting on me to show up. Tell me if I’m close.” Anger radiates off him. I can feel that rage vibrate through him just as the door blasts open.

  Chapter 26

  Cole

  “Put your hands up!” Jamie yells as I laugh. I throw my head back and can’t stop. It rumbles through my chest. I turn to look at Jamie as he eyes the dead body still lying on the floor. His men move through the house, but my grasp on Tala remains firm. She trembles under my touch. Is that fear? Is it fear for me or what she’s done? The more I want of her the more I see that she really has no clue who to trust in a world that’s so divided. I squeeze my fingers around her throat once more as I watch Jamie.

  “Get your hands off her, Cole! Put your hands in the air,” He roars as he steps closer. I pull my gaze from his and narrow it on Tala. My heart beats erratically in my chest as I watch the horror dance around her beautiful face.

  “I don’t know what you thought was happening, baby, but you were wrong. He can’t protect you Tala. Just remember that when you run back into his arms tonight. When he kisses you, licks you and finally fucks you. You aren’t safe with him. I ask again, stay in this house,” I tell her. Tala watches me intently, no doubting second guessing herself. She doesn’t know what’s right and wrong anymore. I made sure of that. She doesn’t know who’s word to trust, also my fault.

  “Now, Cole! Let her go and get on your knees!” Jamie growls behind me. I lean in, pressing my lips to Tala’s forehead before I pull back. Letting my hand fall from her throat, I raise them in the air and drop to my knees in front of her. My eyes never leave hers. I want to watch that flicker and burn in them. I w
ant to watch her as she tries to destroy everything we could have had together. Jamie moves in behind me, grabbing my hands and wrenching them behind my back. I watch Tala as she takes long deep breathes trying to steady herself.

  “Tala? You okay?” Jamie asks after the sound of his cuffs clink around my wrists. She doesn’t move to answer him though. She can’t look away from the situation as it unfolds in front of her.

  “She’s fine,” I answer for her.

  “Shut the fuck up, Cole.” Jamie grunts. “Tala?” He asks her again but she still doesn’t move. Her hands stay at her sides as if they are weighted down and she can’t move them.

  “Shock doesn’t look good on you,” I tell her. Jamie nudges me before walking around and grabbing her in his arms. My body tenses when I hear Brady yelling as he’s brought into the room.

  “Oh, that dead body. I didn’t know that was there,” He says with a laugh further pissing off the man that has his hands around him.

  “Brady, I want you to watch her while I’m out. Don’t let anyone in that door,” I say with my teeth gritted. Jamie whips his head around to face me.

  “You think she’d stay here? Look around here, Cole. Your empire is falling.” Another bout of laughter rumbles in my chest.

  “I beg to differ with you, brother. It’s only beginning. It’s on the rise, Jamie. Can we get this going? I don’t want to be out too late.” Listening to him bark orders to the other men, I sigh. I want to get to the goddamn station and get this shit handled. Maybe Jamie forgot that I own more than half of the Chicago PD. He’s only on with the remaining twenty percent that I don’t. Unfortunately, he also forgot to check in to see who was on duty tonight. Brady moves to the side, watching me after Jamie gave the order to let him go. He isn’t after Brady. He wants me and only me.

  “Get up!” He yanks at my cuffed hands, dragging me to my feet. I stand in front of her still quivering body.

  “Tala, come on. I’ll take you home,” Jamie tells her. She looks between the two of us and I can’t help but smile at the confusion in her dark eyes. She doesn’t know who to listen to, who to believe. She’s as lost as ever and warring with her heart over what she feels for me. I can’t say that I’m much different in that aspect. My heart wants to bleed in her hands but my head is the one that usually wins out. I have to think smart and be one step ahead that’s the only way I’ve gotten this far in my life.

  “I…I need to find Patty. I’ll get Brady to drive me somewhere,” She says her voice barely loud enough to hear.

  “What? No! I’m not leaving you here, Tala. We discussed this!” Jamie is pissed. I like that. He drops my hands and walks around me, gripping Tala by the shoulders. Anger surges inside of me but the thought of her telling him no overrides that. I stand here cuffed in my own house with a cocky ass grin on my face.

  “I need to find Patty. I’ll be fine,” She tries to reassure him.

  “No! I fucking told you, Tala! You aren’t staying here!” Before he can blink an eye, she moves out from in front of him, stepping off to the side.

  “I’m an adult. I can make my own goddamn decisions and I’m not leaving here until I find Patty. Go take care of whatever it is you need to do, Jamie. I’m not a baby and Cole isn’t even going to be here.” Her strength washes over me. I love seeing her like this. Confident in who she is. Sure, of what she wants. It’s what first attracted me to her. Jamie practically seethes with anger. Spinning to face me, that goddamn smirk remains on my face. Jamie pulls back and punches me in the cheek. I laugh a little as Tala yells.

  “What the fuck! He’s in cuffs. He can’t even defend himself, Jamie!” Maybe she does care. Who the hell knows anymore. We’re on a battlefield and I don’t know what side she’s on. I thought it was mine but knowing that she said something to Jamie to warrant this little visit to my house, I’m not so sure.

  “He’s a big boy. He can take it. Oh, and you better have someone clean up that body unless you want that extra charge,” Jamie smirks at me.

  “Mr. Serve and Protect are you truly going to turn the other cheek while there is a dead body in your presence?” I aggravate the shit out of him. His jaw ticks as he shoves me forward toward the door.

  “Fuck off, Cole. I don’t need the extra paperwork tonight. I have a feeling I already have enough.”

  Chapter 27

  Tala

  I watch as Jamie leads him out the front door. My chest is heavy with regret and apprehension. Brady walks over and stands next to me.

  “You want to inform me why that happened?” He asks casually. I shake my head no but I have to tell him, don’t I? I owe it to Cole. “Tala. My best friend just went to jail and I want to fucking know why!” His roar causes me to jolt. Tears slowly begin to fall down my cheeks when I turn to face him.

  “My father is back in the states. I didn’t know until I called my mother. She asked me to stay away from him. From my own father. I didn’t understand why until I heard Jamie on the phone,” I tell him. Brady narrows his eyes, waiting for more.

  “Jamie has been working with my dad this whole time. I was apparently part of the plan but I didn’t play into Jamie’s hand.” Brady shakes his head rapidly. Something else dancing in his eyes. There’s more. He knows more.

  “What? What is it?” I ask when his eyes lock with mine.

  “Patty is upstairs. She’s been sleeping in Cole’s room since you left. Go up there and wait until I get back,” he demands.

  “No. Tell me what’s going on!” I scream back at him. Brady shakes his head once more, gripping my arm roughly.

  “Why is Cole being arrested? What the fuck do you know that we don’t?” Between his gritted teeth and the tick in his jaw, I’ve never seen Brady this pissed and it’s all my fault.

  “My father was sending someone after him. I heard Jamie talking about it. As long as he isn’t in this house, he can’t be hurt.” My own voice cracks. I barely recognize the sounds that are coming out. None of the words make sense.

  “You’re protecting him,” Brady states slowly releasing the grip on my arm. I lower my head before he reaches in and lifts my chin. “Is that what you’re doing, Tala? Tell me I’m not wrong.”

  “You’re not wrong, Brady. I did things, I said things that Jamie could use against him but it was only for his protection.” Brady shakes his head pulling his hand away to run it through his hair.

  “None of it will stick,” he says, looking around the room not talking directly to me.

  “No because I won’t make an official statement. I told Jamie I would after I knew Cole couldn’t get to me,” I inform him. Brady huffs but doesn’t look at me. He’s lost in his own thoughts. He doesn’t know what’s happening and frankly neither do I.

  “If you’re lying, Tala, I swear to God, I will kill you. Cole won’t have to because I will. Do you understand me?” He looks back over as I nod my head slowly. “I’ll handle Cole,” He mumbles.

  “What about my father?” His eyes jerk to mine. What is that look? He knows something. I can see it. He’s hiding something from me.

  “What do you know about my father, Brady?” I ask, taking a step closer to him.

  “I can’t say. It’s not my place.” Turning on his heel be walks toward the door but I don’t let him get that far. I grab his arm, halting his motions.

  “What the hell do you know?” I ask again. His head cocks and slowly turns to face me.

  “That’s something you and Cole need to discuss. Right now, I need you to get upstairs and stay in the room until I get back. I have a security team in place in case your father tries anything stupid. Let me handle this and you can talk to him about everything.” Nodding my head with tears in my eyes, Brady starts to walk away when he stops. Glancing over his shoulder at me he adds, “He loves you. I’ve never seen him like this before. You should keep that in mind while you’re off playing house with his brother.” With that he turns and leaves me standing stuck in place. My heart races before the tears fall. I’ve ruine
d so much that could have been perfect in my life. Cole might not be a normal man with a normal job but I love him more than I can say. He means the world to me and now I’ve ruined it. I turn and head up the stairs and as soon as I step inside, Patty purrs. I walk over and sit on the edge of the bed, running my fingers through her soft fur.

  “What did I do, Patty? How am I going to fix this? I’ve made such a mess,” I sob. Patty climbs in my lap, snuggling her body against me as I let it all out. I don’t know what I’m doing anymore. I don’t know where to turn. What bothers me the most is how worthless I feel. I used to be strong. I used to hold my head high and took care of business but not anymore. Now I feel like I’m a waste of space. Lifting Patty, I set her on the bed before heading into the bathroom. I spot one of Cole’s t-shirts on the counter. I grab it, lifting it to my nose and inhaling his scent.

  “I’m so sorry, Cole.” I cry to myself. Stripping out of my dress, I pull his shirt over my head and look at myself in the mirror. What the hell is my father doing? Why is he working so hard against Cole? He’s never had the desire to be what Cole is. He never wanted to run Chicago. Hell, I thought he got out of this stuff six years ago when he left. My mind is a mess and I can’t sort anything out. I walk back into the bedroom and straight to the bedside table. Pulling the drawer open, I grab the bottle of vodka that I know he keeps in there for bad nights. I unscrew the lid and tip the bottle to my lips. It burns as it coats my throat. The more I drink, the number I feel. That’s what I want. I want to be numb. I don’t want to feel anything. I want to forget what I did to Jamie and to Cole. I want to wash away every thought of my father and how wrong this whole situation is. The more I drink, the better I feel and when my head begins to spin and the room tilts, I climb into the bed and pull up the soft blanket. Tucking it around me, I grab Cole’s pillow and pull it to my chest as sleep slowly drags my weakened body under its spell.