Chapter 13 #2
“How about what I did for you?” I rose to my feet this time, hands flat on the table while I glared down at him.
“I could’ve thrown you under the bus when you put James into a deep fryer, but I didn’t.
I protected you. I could’ve gone to the cops, but I didn’t, so I’d watch your mouth if I were you, Jules. You’re not above making mistakes.”
Eddie stood, offering me support with a hand on the middle of my back.
Silence filled the kitchen, and Ari leaned back in his chair, arms crossed and a smirk on his mouth.
Jules grinned, popping the tension bubble. “You have more than puppy teeth. You chomp down hard, don’t you?”
“When it comes to Eddie, you bet your ass I do. We take care of each other.” Anger swirled in my gut, churning in a way that made me think I wasn’t completely over the run-in with Chuck.
He’d screwed with my head.
While I’d kept myself under control, I’d had enough of cops messing with me. “Now, if you want to give us a suggestion on how to deal with my ex-stepdad, maybe how to bring down a man of his status in the police department, I’m happy to listen.”
“We could help—” Ari began, but Jules shushed him.
“We can’t. Wheelwright knows I hate him.
This one is too close to home.” He leaned back in his chair and rested an arm around the back of Ari’s seat, staring me down.
“Do you have the balls to take on a cop? He’s friends with Johnston, that’s how he gets away with things.
If you think you can get him into trouble, then think again.
This isn’t a game. If you want to take him out, it has be permanent. Fast. Clean.”
Eddie’s fingers curled into the back of my shirt. “Are you suggesting what I think you are?”
The corner of Jules’s mouth quirked and his face was deceptively handsome. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Quiet reigned again as Eddie and I took our seats.
Ari leaned forward, elbows on the table and interest in his gaze, almost like he wanted to say something but knew not to do it.
Jules was his Master, as far as I knew, and there was a reason for that.
Ari could go off half-assed when he got into the wrong mood, and Jules pulled him into line.
Kept him alive and out of prison. Maybe that’s what we needed.
My gaze slid to Eddie, and I studied his wide-eyed expression. He was smart and had his whole life ahead of him. I couldn’t ask him to ruin his future for me. It wasn’t fair.
“We don’t need to do a damned thing.” I smiled at Eddie when he focused on me. “We’re fine.”
He stared, the gears in his head clearly turning.
“We’re fine. He can’t get to us, not anymore. We’re adults.”
“And he’s a detective with important friends who doesn’t let grudges go.” Jules shrugged. “But you do whatever you need to do.”
“Sounds like you want us to kill him.” I cocked my head, taking in the minuscule movement of the corner of his mouth. An annoyed twitch. So, Chuck pissed him off somehow. I wasn’t surprised. Chuck knew how to make a lot of people angry. He was a self-important d-bag.
Jules didn’t say anything, but he didn’t need to. Instead, I changed the topic.
“I heard there was a really horrific car crash yesterday. Some idiot drove in front of a train.” I focused on my food now that I’d gotten a handle on Jules. I hadn’t spent much time around him, but tonight was enough for me to understand more about his personality.
Jules stroked his chin. Either he wasn’t hungry or wasn’t interested in the food, but at least Ari was eating. He shoved the linguine into his mouth with passion. I supposed psychopaths had to eat, too.
“Why the interest?” Jules’s eyes glinted knowingly. No, he wasn’t aware of who the person was to me, but he knew something was up.
“Just curious,” I shot back.
Eddie coughed and laid his hand on my shoulder, giving it a small smack of warning. No fucking way was I conceding defeat. If there was anyone we could talk to or relate to about this stuff, it was Jules and Ari. And I had to make sure Eddie stayed safe. Out of prison.
Jules stuck his tongue against the inside of his cheek.
“Aaron Newland is dead, if that’s what you’re asking.
Very dead. Can’t talk and tell anyone what happened, that’s for sure.
He had an online following of gearheads.
Riot Page, a local murder nut, noted the horrible wreck, but he didn’t do a full episode on it, so I don’t think anyone suspects foul play.
He’s always a good barometer of murders in and around the city. ”
“Interesting.” I dragged out the word purposely. “No foul play?”
Jules grinned at Ari, who sent him one back. Oh, they knew.
“Not that anyone is aware of. Do you have something to share?” Jules asked casually.
I offered him an overly polite smile my grandma taught me as a kid when she wanted to get rid of someone. “Nothing at all.”
Ari snorted and nudged Jules with his elbow. “We need to keep an eye on this one, Master. He’s sneaky.”
I winked. “Just taking care of my man, the way you and Jules do.” Then, I turned to Eddie and grabbed his face, bringing him in for a hard kiss.
He groaned into my mouth, melting, and I forgot Jules and Ari were there, taking what I wanted.
Eddie’s tongue flicked against my lips, and I opened them, allowing him entrance so he could deepen our connection.
Everything about him turned me warm inside.
He never tried to use his power over me and gave me what I needed without being overbearing. He was perfect. My Eddie.
Ari cleared his throat. “Point made.”
I broke the kiss and blinked as reality wrapped around my brain, reminding me of where we were and who we were with.
Eddie smiled, swollen lips parted as he looked toward Jules and Ari. “Don’t worry about my father. I’ll handle him. Let’s eat before the saucy goodness gets cold?”
Everyone agreed.