I stood and looked over the hood at Spider. He was on his knees, furiously whipping through his coat to drag out a silver clip, which glinted like evil in the dim light. I could make it to the door, but Aiden was a sitting duck. There was only one option. I yelled as loud as I could and rushed Spider, reaching him and kicking him as hard as I could beneath the chin. He fell back, and I stomped on his face out of sheer panic, trying to keep his beefy arms from swinging up again.
He grabbed my left ankle, so I jumped up and nailed him in the temple with my right foot.
His hold loosened and he flopped back.
Sobbing and grunting in sheer terror, I kicked him again, right where his jaw met his temple. It cracked loudly. He clutched it, tears streaming down his face.
I ripped the gun away from him and threw it, turning to see it smack Aiden in the head.
“Ouch!” he howled.
Then the whole world descended upon us. Men in full tack gear dropped on ropes from a helicopter, and emergency vehicles screeched to a halt on either side of the car hauler. Black SUVs with lights, patrol cars, even nondescript cars with red and blue lights.
Pierce jumped out of a patrol car and ran for me, his vest over his dress shirt. “Anna.” He reached me and paused, sucking in air. “You’re okay.” He planted his hands on his thighs, partially bent over, breathing heavily. “All right.” He tilted his head and looked at Spider, who was bleeding profusely from the head and face. “Your work?”
Almost numb, I nodded.
Nick Basanelli leaped out of a still moving SUV and headed straight for me, his chin down, and his gaze seeing everything. He stopped right before touching me. “Are you all right?”
“Yes.” I really needed to get out of that garage. Holding my rib cage, I staggered over to Aiden, where a paramedic was cutting away his jeans to reveal a very nice thigh…and bullet hole. Blood spilled out of it, running over his skin to land on the cement. I gagged.
The paramedic, a young woman with cool pink streaked hair, pressed against the wound. “It’s a through and through. Not bad,” she said, smiling at Aiden.
Aiden shook his head. “I told you to run.” Pain pinched the sides of his mouth.
I nodded. “Yeah. I heard you.” Maybe it had been my turn to save him. “Tag. You’re it.” My brain was super fuzzy. I needed to feel the rain, so I walked out of the garage, pausing as the judge shoved himself to a seated position.
His eyes were dazed. “Alberto. What happened?”
Red edged in from the sides of my vision. I kicked him in the calf. Hard. “It’s Albertini, you jackass.” Then I limped into the rain and lifted my face, letting nature cool me.
At the hospital, the doctors were thorough and finally declared that I was just one big bruise. Nothing cracked or broken. I should definitely call one of my sisters to pick me up, but at the moment, I just needed to sit. The reception area was vacant, and even the television was muted. Quiet. I could use some quiet. So I stumbled out of the examination room to a lime green chair and sat, shutting my eyes. Movement sounded, and a heavy body sat next to me.
Was it odd that I could identify Nick by smell? I opened my eyes. “Hey, boss.”
“You earned your money today, now didn’t you?” He kicked out his legs. “The DEA raided the building we thought was the lab out by the airport, and BINGO. We got drugs, recipes, and quite a few techs who were very happy to talk. It was a good bust.” He patted his flat stomach.
“Good.” I was probably too involved with the case to prosecute anybody if I was a witness. I yawned, and my jaw cracked. “I heard that Spider had to have his jaw wired.” I didn’t regret one kick. Not one.
Nick snorted. “Yeah. I heard that, too.” He sobered and drew out his phone. “I have other news.”
I sighed. “Like you hired all the attorneys back?”
“Nope.” He placed the phone on his thigh. “My contacts found Jareth Davey.”
I stilled, and my laziness disappeared. “What? Where? Here?”
“No.” Nick patted my hand. “Right this second, he’s in San Diego. My buddy has a visual on him, although it looks like he’s ready to venture out to the wilderness with a lot of equipment.” He tapped the phone. “Do you want to see a picture?”
I swallowed and stared at the quiet device. “No.” My shoulders relaxed. “I mean, yes, I will. But not tonight.”
“Got it.” Nick put his phone away. “They’ve traced his movements. He was in Spokane for two days, and we’re not sure why yet, but now he’s gone. Safely away from you and from here. My guys will keep an eye on him.”
For how long? I doubted they had that kind of time, but for now, I’d take the good news. “What about Aiden and the case against him for the drug running?”
Nick sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “That case was forced by the DEA to make Scot charge Aiden and see what shook out. There’s not enough to go to trial on anything, so I’ll have to drop all the charges. But he’s not a good guy, Anna. You have to know that. Next time, we’ll get him.”
Maybe, maybe not. Something told me that Aiden was a good guy, or at least a decent one. “We’ll see.”
Nick nodded. “We can talk about Devlin at length later. For now, get some rest.”
Fair enough. “Thanks, Nick.”
“You bet.” He looked at his watch. “I have to go. Take the rest of the week off.” He patted my shoulder and strode toward the exit, quickly dodging into the darkened night.
Detective Pierce emerged from a room down the hallway, barking something into his phone before clicking off. He reached me in long strides. “I have enough of your statement for tonight.” We’d talked while I’d waited to get x-rayed earlier. “Why don’t you go get some rest?” He looked tired but his eyes were amped. A good bust would do that.
“I plan on it. Don’t call me, for any case, until next week.” I smiled, wondering if he’d take time off, too.
He grinned. “It’s a promise.”
I cleared my throat. “Nick is dropping the earlier drug charges against Aiden Devlin. Are you arresting him for his involvement in the bust tonight?” That would lead to new charges, and I’d have to recuse myself because I’d be a witness.
Pierce frowned, losing the smile. “Oddly enough, I don’t have probable cause for an arrest tonight. We have no proof that Aiden held intent to be in possession of drugs, unless you know it to be true.”
I shook my head. “I saw him drive the car hauler to save me, but I didn’t see drugs.” Even if the drugs were in those cars, Aiden could say he just used the vehicle to save me, which he did. “What about the battery charge from when he punched the DEA Agent during the bust at the Lordes?” It was a good case.
Somehow, Pierce’s frown grew darker. “The DEA Agent said it wasn’t Devlin who hit him. It’s your word against the agent’s, and any decent defense attorney will get Devlin off.”
I swallowed. Why would the agent cover for Aiden? “I thought Devlin didn’t work for or with the DEA.” None of this was making sense.
“He doesn’t,” Pierce said. “But he’s got friends in high places, or he’s involved somewhere and somehow. Either way, he’s dangerous, or he’s in danger, and you should stay away from him.” Then Pierce, too, walked out into the dark and rainy night without another word.
That was probably good advice, but I really needed to know the truth. Would Aiden finally tell me? Could he?
Just then, Aiden limped out of a closer room, wearing hospital scrubs. He eyed me from head to toe. “You broken anywhere?”
“No. Just bruised,” I murmured, feeling way too affected by testosterone all of a sudden. “You?”
“Just stitches.” He looked pretty good in scrubs.
I stood carefully, trying not to jostle any of my aches or pains. “I’m headed home. Want to come with me?” I wasn’t trying to be coy or even seductive, since it was time we were honest with each other.
“Yeah.” He took my hand, and we walked ou
t into the rain together.
“You’re going to level with me tonight,” I warned him, heading toward his motorcycle.
He exhaled. “Tonight, we’re going to eat some food, drink some wine, and get some sleep. If we wake up, feeling okay, we’re going to fuck. But I am not talking tonight, and you’re going to have to trust me. At least for a little while.”
I sighed. “I’ll try, but first I do need a couple of answers. Do you work for the DEA?”
“God, no.” He kept walking in the rain, his hand warm around mine.
I exhaled. “Is your rap sheet accurate? Did you break all of those laws?”
He was silent for a moment. “No.”
Hope crashed through me, and I waited to ask another question. “You’re one of the good guys?”
His chuckle was dark. Sexy. “I’m not one of the good guys, but I’m not a criminal. Well, not really. That’s all I can tell you right now. Trust me.”
I could trust him. Heck, I was really trusting myself. One night to let him have his secrets was all right with me. While I’d give him this night, he needed to come clean soon.
He straddled the bike and held out an arm to help me on. I wrapped my hands around his waist and snuggled my face into his back.
Aiden Devlin was finally home.
Chapter 43
I slept most of the day on Wednesday. Aiden had, indeed, spent the night. There had been a lot of gentle kisses and rolling around in the morning, as well as a couple of intense orgasms on my part. But there hadn’t been much talking. He’d taken off early, leaving me to sleep the day away.
Early afternoon, I called Pauley to make sure he was all right. His voice reassured me, and then my aunt confirmed that he was dealing well with the drama of the other day. Thank goodness. I then put in a call to Lacey, leaving a message because she was at work. She’d no doubt call the next day.
Late afternoon, I walked carefully into Bud’s hospital room with a pretty bouquet of yellow daisies to place on his counter. “Hi.”
He took up all of the long bed and then some more. The cop looked different out of uniform in the soft white hospital gown. More approachable and kind of goofy. Well, he’d always looked goofy. He eyed me and sighed. “Please don’t get me killed today.”
I swatted his foot. “Come on. You’ve been on protection duty before, and hey, you were wearing a vest. You’re smart.”
“I’ve never been injured. I’m zero for two with you, Albertini.” He glanced at the flowers. “You don’t have a crush on me or anything, do you?” His face filled with a nice color. “You’re cute, but you’re not my type.”
“No.” I flopped into the chair, keeping my arm across my ribs as I did so. The doctors were right that it would hurt bad today. It did. Though I’d slept great knowing Jareth Davey was states away. Well, the pain killers didn’t hurt, either. “You’re probably the only new guy in my life I’m sure about. You and I are going to be great friends.”
He rubbed his buzz cut. “That might be too dangerous.”
“I’ll invite you to a barbecue or something where my sister Donna is in attendance.”
He sat up—and I swear—his chest puffed out. “Well, I guess that’d be okay.”
Yeah. I’d figured out his type. Classic and beautiful Italian woman. Donna. “It’s a plan, then.” I stood and tried not to wince. “Thanks for everything, Bud.”
“Sure thing.” He turned back to the game on the television.
I grinned and moved carefully out of the room, before driving just as carefully home. Spring had finally arrived, again, and the sun set over a sparkling blue lake. I wandered into my quiet bungalow, feeling a little lonely for some reason.
My phone buzzed with a text from Detective Grant Pierce: Hey. I hope you’re feeling better. How about I take you to dinner tonight—a mellow one—and we make up for the date we lost? No pressure.
Interesting. The cop was a hottie, that was for sure. I liked that he was older than me. I started to make tea.
The second text came in—this one from Nick—as the water was boiling: Hi, Albertini. We nailed that case. How about I take you out for a nice drink to celebrate tonight since you took the day off? Just low key. Let me know.
Hmm. Nick Basanelli. Sex on a stick of Italian ambition. Yeah, he’d be fun to date. The kettle whistled, and I poured water into the cup.
The next text came in right as I was dunking the tea bag, and of course, it was from Aiden: Hi, Angel. I enjoyed last night and thought I should let you know that I don’t share. If you’re in my bed, or I’m in yours, we’re solo. I know I have a lot to tell you, but I can’t right now. So how about we just get together, and I bring over dinner?
I sipped my tea and thought it over. Who’d have believed that a few weeks ago I’d be here right now? Three very different and interesting men, each one a risk in several ways to me. I wasn’t a risky type of person and never had been. Although, a girl did have to live a little.
There was really only one answer for what I needed. I pulled the Bailey’s cheesecake out of the freezer and dashed off several texts to people before tossing my phone aside.
Then I strode for my bedroom to put on exactly what I needed for the night.
Twenty minutes later, I arrived at Donna’s cute Craftsman house in the older part of town, cheesecake in hand. I walked inside.
She looked up from laying colorful pillows in front of her cream-colored sofa and laughed. Her green silk pajamas appeared decadent, and I’d have to get myself a pair. “Tell me you did not wear your pajamas to drive over here.”
I looked down at my duck-covered leggings with matching top. The penguin slippers might have been a bit much. “Yes, I did.” I set the dessert on the kitchen’s island and headed her way.
Tessa came out of the guest bathroom, already wearing her flannel pajamas with her hair up in a high ponytail. Knowing me, she tossed me a holder, and I yanked my hair up and out of the way.
Donna opened her credenza to reveal the big television set before pulling out the X-Box and three controllers. Mine was bright purple with unicorns across it, hers was green and sparkly, and Tessa’s was a flashy yellow with a drawing of some Celtic knot. “All right,” Donna said. “I ordered pizza. The first to lose this game pays.”
I scooted her way and sat on the middle pillow, which was a dark blue. My pillow.
Donna gracefully sat on my left on the green pillow, while Tessa flopped down on the yellow pillow.
Tess snorted. “Your Aiden pillow. Is it still your Aiden pillow?”
I chuckled. “No. His eyes are a much lighter blue than I remembered.”
Donna gently kicked my slipper. “You’re sitting on Aiden’s face.”
Tessa snorted. “You’re on a green turd.”
I took my controller and drew it up closer, sitting between my sisters, which had always been my place. My fun and safe and given place. Sure, tomorrow I’d have to figure out what to do about Jareth Davey. Then I’d have to decide if I wanted to date anybody, and I wanted to figure out a heck of a lot more about Aiden. Regardless. I needed to delve deep and truly understand the feelings I had for him. Cousin Wanda the shrink would help with that.
But tonight, I was going to eat too much, laugh just enough, and play X-Box with my sisters.
“You ready?” Donna asked, pressing the button.
“Yeah,” I said, meaning it on every front. “Let’s do this.”
BAILED OUT
The Anna Albertini Files Book 2
Bailed Out
The Past Never Stays Buried
Anna Albertini is settling into a routine while ignoring the fact that the blue-eyed Irishman she’d allowed into her bed has up and disappeared on her. Two weeks without a phone call is no big deal, but still. With her hottie Italian boss goofing up the prosecuting attorney’s office, she at least has something to fix. Until she appears in court, across from her sister Tessa’s dirtbag ex. Then she has a mission.
Unfortunately,
Anna isn’t the only person who wants the ex put behind bars…or in the ground. Which is not a problem until she and a local cop find the ex-boyfriend deader than dead…with both her sister and Aiden standing over the body.
As a prosecuting attorney, it’s Anna’s job to build a case against Tessa and Aiden. As a sister, it’s SO her job to get Tess out of this mess. As Aiden’s…what? Lover—girlfriend—friend from the past—it’s Anna’s job to figure out who the heck he really is. She has to dig out the truth, regardless of her ambitious boss or the cranky cop trying to thwart her every move. Sometimes a woman has to take matters into her own hands, regardless of the consequences.
PURCHASE NOW:
Bailed Out
Take a quick peek at the next Dark Protector Book!
REBEL’S KARMA
REBEL’S KARMA
Chapter 1
The smell of the earth, deep and true, centered her in the hastily created tunnel. It probably said something about Karma that she preferred darkness, muddy walls, and being underground to anywhere else. Battery operated lanterns had been dropped haphazardly along the trail, their artificial light dancing across the dirt-packed walls and highlighting minerals she couldn’t name as she descended quickly, the swish of her skirt the only sound beneath ground.
She bent her head, trying to stay in the moment and not panic at the job to come. One she was no more prepared for than she had been for mating a Kurjan general nearly two centuries ago. Or was it closer to three?
Taking a deep breath, she turned the corner and faced the cell. The one and only cell that had been dug the day before, just in case it was needed.
It was.
She swallowed.
The male sprawled across the ground, so large he could probably spread his arms and reach the cement blocks on one side and the steel bars on the other. If he’d been conscious. Instead, bruises mottled his face and neck, while a wound bled freely beneath his jaw. The red ran down beyond his ear to pool on the dirt beneath him.
Disorderly Conduct (The Anna Albertini Files Book 1) Page 29
