Chapter 28
TWENTY-EIGHT
Nothing but the best
REED
The taste of Lila’s sweet kisses still lingers on my lips, and my cock hasn’t deflated yet. But already there’s a definite vibe shift with her.
I won’t go so far as to say something is wrong . . . just different.
She’s quiet on the drive to my place in downtown Tampa. Fortunately, she agreed to stay at my condo until I return, so I won’t have to worry much about her while we apprehend Riddick.
I meant it when I told her that she shouldn’t have to face Kenzie right now. But more importantly, I hate the idea of her being somewhere where those scumbags can easily find her. Between SSA Chase’s warnings and the latest developments, I refuse to take chances with Lila’s safety.
The video footage we found in that hidden compartment was hard to listen to. It didn’t show the men who killed Troy Hartley, but it caught enough of the audio to confirm my worst fears.
That man who was hounding Lila at her table is a cold-blooded killer.
The glass the ERT tech found under the couch had prints belonging to an unknown person—who is most likely the accomplice.
So even if we get Riddick off the streets tonight, the second killer is still on the loose. And what if Lila is the next target?
I won’t let that happen.
By the time I can see my high-rise condo building in the distance, worry for her safety and about her tense silence has me tied in knots.
Does she regret what we did? Is she scared? Or is she thinking about what she’ll eventually say to my sister?
Fuck. For that matter, what am I going to say to Kenzie? Do I even want to talk to her again?
That’s easy to answer. Nope. I’m so fucking done with my family. This is the last of a million camel-back-breaking straws.
Once I scan my key card and the security gate opens, Lila cranes her neck for a better look through the windshield. “You have a private parking garage?”
“Yep. Each resident has assigned spaces on the same floor as their condo.”
She juts her lower lip and nods, seemingly impressed or annoyed. Unsure which.
By the time we get to the third floor of the parking garage, she’s on edge. Body stiffening, she grips the seatbelt with both hands as if she’s clinging to it for dear sweet life.
“You okay, cookie?”
Her voice fails to conceal a worried tremble. “What fl-floor is your condo on?”
Oh shit. I didn’t consider her fear of heights when I thought it’d be a good idea to bring her here.
Contemplating how best to reassure her, I fight a grin. “The top floor. Penthouse. Nothing but the best.”
She whips her head over and scorches me with wide, fiery eyes. “Are you kidding? This building has at least twenty floors.”
“It’s twenty-six, actually.”
Her eyes quadruple in size, and her face blanches. “That’s not better.”
“Relax. I’m kidding. I’m only on the fifth level. We’ll enter directly from this floor into the interior hallway leading to my condo. Until we get inside my place, there aren’t any windows. And once inside, we can keep the drapes closed.”
Her frame sags. “Oh, thank goodness.” A whoosh of air sails out of her pretty pink lips. “I can handle five. Probably.”
My shoulders shake with laughter, but I feign coughing to conceal my amusement at how fucking cute she is.
“Are you laughing at me?”
Shaking my head, I cup my fist at my mouth and fake another cough. “No. Something caught in my throat.”
“I can’t believe you’re mocking me for my phobia.” She clicks her tongue at me in a chiding gesture. “If you die before me, I’m gonna crunch on a big bag of kettle chips during your eulogy.”
“Wow. I knew you had an evil streak. But that’s especially harsh.”
Shrugging, she tosses, “You reap what you sow in life.”
“At least you aren’t worried about my building’s height anymore.”
Her jaw drops, mouth rounding with a soft gasp. “That’s why you teased me?”
I pull into my parking spot and turn off the car before answering. “It’s always been a good way to distract you. Better for you to be mad at me than upset about something else.”
Her nose crinkles, making me itch to smooth the skin between her brows. “That’s sort of sweet. But also messed up.”
“Whatever works.”
Her expression softens, a grin slipping into place. “You know . . . there are nicer ways to distract me.”
Leaning over the console to get closer to her, I hold her gaze and whisper, “I thought I was pretty nice to you earlier when I had my fingers in your pussy. Unless I’m mistaken, you seemed to like it.”
Licking her lips, she fights a shiver, her shoulders shimmying. “Are you fishing for a compliment?”
“It’s called a praise kink. Look it up.”
I don’t even bother trying to keep a straight face through the quip. We break out in laughter, and it does wonders to ease my mind about her mood shift.
Once we’re inside, I give her a quick tour of my two-bedroom condo. “First bathroom is in there.” I point at the door, then lead her down the hall. “Over here is my office. If you get bored, my bookcase is at your disposal.”
Considering safety precautions, I tell her, “My guns are in there, but they’re locked up, so don’t worry about them.”
“Okay. I’m not especially scared of guns. Unless they’re up high.”
Grinning, I open the hall closet. “Towels are in here in case you want to take a shower. Help yourself to any of my toiletries or clothes. There’s food in the kitchen. And text me if you think of something I should pick up for you on my way back.”
“Pick up for me?” she parrots.
“Yeah. Like clothes from your place or hair care products. A favorite pillow, perhaps. Whatever you need to feel at home.”
She tugs my arm to stop me. “Reed, how long do you plan on keeping me here?”
Probably shouldn’t say forever since I barely managed to convince her to come for the evening.
Instead of proposing marriage or shared domicile, I hedge, “I just want you to be comfortable.”
“That’s great. But you’ll take me home tonight after your shift, right? I can’t stay here indefinitely. Plus, I work tomorrow.”
Shit.
That certainly complicates things. In the midst of this afternoon’s revelations and lust, I somehow lost track of what I was supposed to be doing with Lila, aside from protecting her and making her come on my hand.
Considering everything I’ve told her in the last hour, I’m taking a big chance by leaving her alone.
She knows we’re monitoring her phone, so hopefully she won’t try to contact Silas. And I’ll have the security guard downstairs call me if she leaves the building.
Until she and I have a chance to talk it out, I’m taking a leap of faith.
If that bites me in the ass, I’ll have to accept the consequences. Right down to losing my job.
My stomach roils. Am I being a pussy-whipped fool? Or can I trust her?
My head says I shouldn’t. But my heart has already made a home alongside hers.
As I look into her eyes, I sense something else. It goes beyond listening to my heart or head. There’s something intangible about my connection with Lila. There’s a completeness in my soul I’ve only ever experienced with her.
Well, that’s not entirely true.
My soul was whole until I was four, when I was adopted. It fractured permanently when they sent me—and me alone—to live with the Hayes family.
Although I’ll never be whole, this woman fills the barren spaces inside me.
Of course, I can trust her.
“Well?” she prods, brows raised expectantly. “What’s your plan for me?”
I bunch my lips to the corner of my mouth. “What time do you work tomorrow?”
“I’m going back to the evening shift. So I start at three.”
“I’ll ensure you get to work on time . . . assuming it’s safe.”
“You think I’m in danger at work? That place is crawling with security.”
“I’m aware, Lila. I also know there’s more being played at Oak Winds than casino games. Your safety is my top priority.”
She releases my hand and takes a step backward, wrapping her arms around her midsection protectively. “Okay. I get it.” Her eyes drop to the floor, and she meekly concedes, “Looks like I’m staying here tonight.”
“We’ll talk when I get home. I need to hurry. They’re waiting on me.”
“Get changed or whatever. I’ll camp out on the couch.”
Her agreement isn’t as enthusiastic as I’d like, but at least she’s resigned to accept my protection. When I get back tonight, we’re gonna get to the bottom of whatever shit Silas has her entangled in. Hopefully, she can help us find him.
My phone buzzes with an incoming call. “That’s my boss. Make yourself comfortable.”
I leave Lila in the living room, answering the call as I pass my bedroom’s threshold.
As soon as I answer, SSA Chase is poised to read me the riot act. “Where the hell are you, Hayes?”
I close the bedroom door and keep my volume low. “I was on the other side of town with Lila when I got the call. I’m at my place now. I’ll be changed and out of here in five minutes.”
“Make it two. I’m sending you an address now. We got another tip on the BOLO for Riddick. There’s a sighting at a bar about five minutes from your place. The team is on the way, but you’ll get there before the rest of us. If it’s Riddick, just keep an eye on him. Don’t engage without backup.”
“Got it.”
Moving in fast-forward, I get changed and ready in less than sixty seconds. When I return to the living room, Lila rises from the couch and pads over to me.
Her gaze locks onto the FBI lettering on the center of my chest. “Is that a bulletproof vest?”
“Yes.”
Wearing protection is standard protocol when apprehending a violent criminal.
She grabs onto my forearms and peers up at me with pleading eyes. “Be careful, okay?”
“I will. I always am.” Attempting to ease her fear, I offer a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry about me.”
“I’ll try.” She cocks her head, scanning me head to toe, her expression turning playful. “By the way, you look hot in that.”
“You can take it off me later.”
Smirking, she releases me. “That sounds acceptable.”
“I could flirt with you all damn day, Lila. But I really need to hurry. My boss is pissed.”
She waves her hand toward the door. “Go on.”
I duck into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water for the road. “Keep the door locked and stay inside where you’re safe. I’ll be—“
She interrupts, her fear having returned. “What about Kenzie?”
I freeze two steps from the front door. “What about her?”
Lila races to my side, grabbing my hand. “Well, the bulletproof vest and all your warnings have me worried. If you’re concerned about me, then it stands to reason she isn’t safe at our place either.”
Fuck.
As much as I’d like to answer with a resounding, who the fuck cares about Kenzie, I won’t. “I’ll call her on the way and tell her where to go.”
Lila puts her fists on her curvy hips. “Really, Reed?”
“Poor word choice. I’ll tell her to go somewhere safe or stay at home with the doors and windows locked.”
Her posture relaxes somewhat. “Thanks. I’m not ready to speak to her yet. We can deal with her about the other thing another time. I don’t want her to get hurt, though.”
“Agreed.” I caress Lila’s arm and kiss her on the forehead. “I have to leave now. Stay here where you’re safe. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
And then I’m gone.