by W L Knightly
“Anything, Dannie.”
“Was there ever a book?”
“Yes, there is one. It’s in the works, but I haven’t written as much as I’ve just been making mental notes. I have this great idea I was trying to sell.” The only thing he had to sell was his sob story. “I’ll explain, and I’m sorry I lied to you about some of the facts. The truth is, I was going to get money from my trust to pay you, but my father is making it difficult. I was too embarrassed to tell you. You don’t know what it’s like having a father who tries to hold you back and control you, one who is in such a powerful position.”
The moment her expression softened, he knew that he had her. “I don’t know what to believe anymore. I wanted us to go to the gala, and now you talk like you hate that you asked me to go with you.”
“Only because of my father. I wanted to give you a fabulous night out, and my father hasn’t done anything but complain.”
“Complain about what? Me?” She frowned. “He’s never met me.”
“It’s the way he is.” Kyle knew if he wanted to seal the deal, he needed to produce a few tears, so he did his best and Dannie actually reached for his hand.
“Come on in. We’ll sit and talk, but I’m still not sure about us.” She led him inside and walked him to the living-room sofa. They sat together, and he noticed Dannie
“Dannie, I’ve never been more certain of anything. I’m sorry I got ugly with you. It wasn’t my best hour, and as for Kendra Bodin, it was stupid to call and ask her for information, but I was desperate. And even though I know I’m a deviant bastard, I was getting jealous about that rookie cop you were with. I left her there and ran after you, but you went to your friend’s house.”
“I just want a normal, healthy relationship. One with a man I don’t have to be afraid of.”
He sat forward and reached for her hands, which were folded in her lap. Then he brought them to his lips, kissing her knuckles. “I want healthy too. You make me want to be so many things, Dannie. We could have a good life. I just know it.”
“When you say that, what does it mean? Marriage?” Her eyes lit up as he nodded.
“Yes, baby, I’d marry you. I want us together. I just need you to trust. I’ll never hurt you again.” He smiled, knowing his intentions were just the opposite. He would promise her everything and then take it all away. She was nothing but a gold-digging whore anyway.
“Promise me no more lies.”
“I promise.” He leaned in for a kiss, and just when his arms went around her, the sound of chatter filled the room. “What’s that?”
He jerked away from her, every nerve in his body on alert. Had she tricked him?
She giggled. “Oh, sorry. It’s my scanner, remember?”
“Shit, I forgot about that thing.” His head was pounding, and he felt ridiculous. He had overheard there had been a body found once before and made her go check it out. “Sounds like a real emergency.”
“Yes.” She turned her attention back to them. “Now, where were we?”
He pulled her close. “I hate that we fought. It wasn’t my best moment, and I’m so ashamed. You didn’t tell anyone about that, did you?”
“No, I just went to my friends and told her I thought I had a gas leak. I didn’t want to be alone, and I had a feeling you’d show up here. I didn’t want to fight, and I needed to clear my head.”
“Let’s promise to never fight again.” He looked into her eyes, knowing what fun he would have. But the chatter on the radio grew more and more intense. “What is going on? I’m sorry. I’m intrigued.”
“It’s easy to get addicted to those things.” She turned her ear toward the chatter. “Sounds like that’s a homicide. The Hangman must be at it again.”
“Really?” He didn’t know all of the codes they were using, but apparently, Dannie did. “I guess it’s going to be a busy night.”
“Well, I’m not busting onto another scene, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
He hadn’t thought that at all, but what he had thought was how all of her cop friends were going to be too busy to pop in for a visit, which meant he’d have all the time he needed to do whatever he wanted with her.
He shook his head to give her reassurance. “No, I don’t want you to go anywhere. You’re the only thing I have in my life that has the opportunity to go right if I don’t fuck it up. I want us together. Oh, and I brought the money I promised for the rent.”
“Did you?” She held her hand over her heart. “Thanks.”
“Yeah, the twenty grand might take a while.”
Dannie grinned. “Save it. We might need it for our wedding.” She wagged her brows. “Would you really marry me?”
“Of course, baby. You’re my world, Dannie.” He thought about the crushed pill he had in his pocket. He had to slip it to her somehow. Kyle cleared his throat.
“Would you like something to drink?” she asked, stroking the back of his hair.
“Yes, please. Would you join me in a drink for our future?” He gave her a sweet smile.
She got to her feet and looked down at him. “Of course.” She was beaming from ear to ear, and as she walked away, she gave a squeal of excitement.
“Can I have a big wedding?” she asked from the kitchen.
“The biggest,” he said. “I’m afraid you’re going to have to give me a chance to propose, though.”
“Oh, I will, and I want at least three carats. Anything smaller is just too small for my finger.”
“I’ll buy you any ring you want.” He liked watching her beam, knowing he could make her any promise in the world and she’d buy it. And the beauty of it was that by the time she realized he was lying, it would be too late to tell anyone anything about him. And he would have shut her up before she had a chance to tell anyone anything.
“Here you go.” She put the two wine glasses and bottle down on the coffee table.
Kyle slipped off his shoes. “I was thinking that you might want to get more comfortable with me.”
She looked down at her outfit. “I could stand to get out of this dress.”
“Go change. Then we’ll snuggle and drink while we plan our future.” He wagged his brows at her, and she giggled, giving him a toothy smile.
“Okay, I’ll be right back. I have something special I bought to wear for you.”
“Put it on, please.” He unbuttoned his shirt. “Do you mind if I get a little more comfortable too?”
“Not at all. Be right back.” She hurried to her bedroom.
He quickly took the packet from his shirt pocket and put it in the glass. Then he hurried to open the wine and poured her a full glass, stirring it with his finger before pouring his own.
His heart was pounding wildly, but so far, things were working in his favor.
Chapter 24
Jake
The sun had set over an hour before, but Jo and Jake had just made it back to Jake’s property. After a long day in the boat, she was glad to finally get her land legs back, and with any luck, he would know what to do with the fish they had brought back.
“If you clean them, I’ll cook them,” she offered, holding up the two fish she caught as they walked up the trail to his house.
Jake chuckled. “Oh no. You caught them. You carry them and clean them.”
“Do I get to eat them too? All by myself? I could, you know. I’m starving.” She held a hand over her panging tummy.
“Nope, you have to share.” He gave her a sideward look, trying to be serious.
“Well, that doesn’t sound fair. I mean, obviously, I did all the work.”
“Not true. You might have caught more fish, but I’m the one who had to bait your hook, take them off of it, and throw most of them back. I was so busy tending your line, I barely wet a hook.”
Jo gave a playful shrug. “I can’t help it if they liked me better. They all wanted to come home with me.”
“I don’t blame them.” He turned and winked, and she felt her face grow
tight with a smile.
She was happy. She wasn’t worried about work and didn’t have anything she was supposed to be doing, other than enjoying herself with Jake. And he was actually a lot of fun when you took him out of the office, not that he was horrible, but it was just so good to see him at ease and smiling.
As they stepped up on the porch, Jake reached for her fish. “I’ll put them on some ice for now. I say we order a pizza and drink a couple of beers.”
“That sounds even better.” She looked down at her fish. “Sorry, guys. You’ll have to wait.” She handed them to him. “I guess I had all the luck today.”
“I wouldn’t say that.” He put his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. Their eyes met just moments before their lips, and Jo melted against him.
Jake pulled away. “We stink,” he said with a smile.
“I’d like to shower if you have something I could wear.” She searched his eyes as they lit up.
“Oh, I think I could find something.” He chuckled.
“Or not,” she said, kissing him again.
Jake ditched the fish in his outdoor freezer and then took her hand. “Come on. Let’s go inside and get cleaned up.” He led her inside where they immediately stripped off their shoes. Thankfully, she’d had the wherewithal to dress casually and that included her sneakers, which were now caked with creek mud.
“I’ll get you a towel, and you can shower.” He stepped away to his room and came back with a towel and a bottle of shower gel. There was also a pair of sweat pants and a plain white tee that would most likely swallow her up. “You might prefer using the guest bath.”
She nodded, wishing that she hadn’t asked to take things slowly. But she had to respect Jake for honoring her wishes. “Thank you.”
She went to the bathroom, and while she showered, she thought about what a good time they’d had. What on earth was holding her back?
Life was short, and she had to get what she wanted. With Jake on board with her now and their futures with the department in question, maybe it wasn’t such a bad thing if they were together?
By the time she got done, which wasn’t long, she had made up her mind. Maybe they didn’t have to take things so slow after all.
She stepped out of the shower and looked down at her legs, which she hadn’t shaved in two days. Even though her blonde hair was soft, she wasn’t going to leave it. She searched the bathroom for a razor and found a bag of new razors unopened beneath the sink. They weren’t her usual brand but would get the job done.
As she shaved her legs, she heard the shower running through the pipes. He was naked again, and there was nothing but some walls and plumbing between them.
Jo stood up and looked in the mirror to do something with her hair. There was no blow dryer, so she had to make do with the towel. When she came out, he was standing in his bedroom wearing nothing but a pair of boxers and a smile.
“I was wondering if you were ever going to come out.” He walked toward her as she stood by the door with a hopeful feeling in her heart. “I’ve already ordered a pizza. I hope you like pepperoni and extra cheese.”
“I love pepperoni and extra cheese,” she said in a daze, mesmerized at the sight of him. She’d thought she’d gotten a good look at him that night he came to the door naked, but with everything shadowed and her embarrassment, she’d looked away, not fully appreciating his broad chest and strong arms.
Jake reached out and put his arm around her, and they kissed again, standing in his hallway. He pulled away, far too soon, and smiled. “Sorry, I just had to do that again.”
“Jake,” she said, trying to muster up the courage to take things further.
But then, there was a knock at the door. “Hold that thought. That’s the pizza guy.” He went to his room to get his wallet and came back out with cash in his hand as he headed to the door.
Jo followed him and stood in the living room as Jake paid, and when he turned around, their eyes met. “Now, what was it?”
He put the pizza on his coffee table, and when he turned around, she went to him, throwing her arms around him and kissing him hard.
Jake pulled away, his chest heaving. “What about taking it slow?”
She shook her head. “I know we should, but dammit, I just don’t want to.” She found his lips again and closed her eyes as she melted against him.
Jake wrapped her in his arms and walked her back to the couch. When she felt it hit her legs, he eased her down to the couch where he knelt beside her, their hands already exploring each other’s bodies.
Jake ran his hand up the white tee and cupped her breasts as she ran her hands along his arms, feeling the muscles beneath his flesh. “Are you sure?” he asked with a breathy voice. “Because I don’t want to stop.”
“I don’t want to stop either,” she said.
Jake sat back on his knees, and she rose up and took off her shirt. Then as she eased back, he reached for her waistband and slipped off her baggy sweats. She had left her panties with her other clothes in the bathroom, and his eyes widened as she lay there naked before him. “You’re so beautiful, Jo.”
She looked down, and he put her hand on his own waistband. If she wanted to see him, she had to do the work. She eased her fingers into the elastic band and gave them a tug. As he moved forward, capturing her lips once more, the phone rang.
“Shit,” he whispered. “That’s the chief’s ringtone.” He closed his eyes. “Should I answer it?”
“If it was important, you’d have heard it on the scanner, right?”
“I don’t leave it on. Not for a while now.”
She had a sinking feeling. “Maybe you better.”
He huffed and rolled off of her. “I hate it, but you’re right. This better be good.”
She looked down to see his erection, which was just as impressive as she remembered, and agreed. “No shit,” she muttered, closing her eyes and then looking toward the ceiling.
“Yeah, Chief. This isn’t a good time, so it had better be good.” His silence stretched out as he turned away from Jo, and she could tell by the way his back tensed, drawing her attention away from his perfect ass, that there was something wrong. Especially when he slumped. “Okay, we’ll come right away.”
Jo was already on her feet, picking up her clothes. “Do we have time to stop by my house so I can get some different clothes?”
“Jo,” he said with a soft tone. Something about it sent a chill up her back. She froze, knowing in her heart that something had happened to her father.
“Is he dead?” She slowly looked up and met his eyes.
Jake gave a faint nod, but it was enough to bring tears to her eyes. “I’m sorry, Jo.” He reached for her and held her close. “They found him in an abandoned building in town. Milner went and made the ID.”
“Was it the Hangman or someone else?” She wondered if Madden had found him and managed to drug him like the others, or had this been the work of one of his other dirty business partners? Maybe it had something to do with Kyle.
“It looks like it was the Hangman, Jo. I’m so sorry.”
She was so angry with herself. Not only had she not trusted her gut, but she had tried to fool herself with excuses. And while she was lying around with Jake and out fishing like it was summer fucking vacation, her father was being murdered brutally by the one man she couldn’t seem to catch.
“I should get ready.” She put on the white tee and went to the bathroom for her jeans, which still smelled like creek water, fish, and sunscreen. But it didn’t matter. She shrugged on her jeans and put her bra on under the T-shirt. Then she brushed out her wavy hair, which was still a little damp, and went out to join Jake, who had already dressed as well. “I’m ready. Take me to him.”
Jake took her hand and led her to the car, and she was so numb it felt as if she were floating the entire way, like it was some kind of dream and she would wake up soon. But she knew better. The world would soon know that her father, Senator Young, was d
ead, and all of his dirty past was going to come out, including her part of it.
Jake, who held her hand on the console, brought it to his lips. “Hey, it’s going to be bad, Jo. When we get there, you need to let me handle it, okay?”
“I’m fine. I can handle it. I can do my job.”
“Jo, this is your father, baby. You can’t be in the middle of it. With him gone, the Feds will be all over this, and even though Milner is content to do things the dirty way, I don’t want us in the crossfire when shit goes down. Not only that, but come on. You don’t want that to be your memory of him. I won’t let it be.”
Jo nodded, knowing he made sense. She closed her eyes and let him lead her to the scene.
Chapter 25
Jake
As they drove to the scene, Jake expected Jo to give him a fight, but she didn’t. She sat quietly most of the way, only sobbing a little, and by the time they got there, she’d stopped.
“Wait here,” he said, opening his door.
“I’m not staying in the car.” She reached for her door, but he held her arm.
“You’re not going up there. I’ll get someone to sit with you, but you’re not going to see your father like Madden leaves people. I’m not even going to argue. I’ll take you back home.”
She shook her head. “Don’t worry. I’m not going in. I just don’t want to be useless. I can hold others away from the scene or something.”
“Jo, you’re not going to be able to work this scene at all. Come on.” He got out of the car, and as she slowly made her way out, he saw Sam across the lawn near the front door. “Sam!”
Sam turned, and his eyes widened. He ran up and looked at Jo. “What happened to you?”
“I went fishing,” said Jo.
“Could you keep an eye on her?” Jake knew that Sam wouldn’t allow anything to happen to her.
“I wish I could, but we should probably have Lang do it. I’ve got to help Kevin. Gary was sick today, and his other guy is out of town. It’s me and the new girl. I was going to get some gloves.”
