Chapter 38
E verly
Stretching to click on the bedside lamp, I huffed in surprise at Connor’s lips taking my nipple. He brought me back to settle against him and toyed with me, idly loving on my breasts like he’d done the rest of me for the past couple of hours.
Happiness had me giddy. I didn’t want this to stop.
“Why did you ask my father about my mother?”
“When ye were taken, I was at my mother’s house. She passed on a rumour that he’d killed her. I thought she was full of it and still do.”
I hummed agreement and moved on. “What deal did my father make with you?”
“My services for his organisational powers in order to clean up Deadwater’s streets. He pulled strings to enable the cops, the gangs, and yours truly to dance to his tune then used the reduced crime stats to prove to voters how effective he was as a leader. We already had Kenney in our pockets, Arran has dirt on him, but the mayor guaranteed anything that went over Kenney’s head came to a stop.”
My heart hurt. “And yet he used that threat to control me.”
He left my breasts to kiss and knead my belly. “This is my fault. I should’ve told ye more.”
“None of this is either of our faults,” I corrected.
He grumbled and went lower. “I’ve plenty of faults. Is it wrong that I still want to knock ye out so I can keep ye here all night?”
I rolled my eyes. Eventually, we’d have to go down to talk to his crew. But I needed a little longer alone with the man I loved. “Tell me about the tracking device. Where is it?”
Connor shifted down the bed, at the last moment reaching for the side table’s drawer. He took my vibrator with him.
Between my thighs, he pushed it inside me, gazing down at my core while I bucked and moaned. We’d had sex twice already. I only wanted more.
“Here.” He slid his hand under my backside and tapped my cheek with one finger.
“When?”
Connor lifted me for his mouth, fusing to my clit while gliding the vibrator in and out of me. I relaxed back with my arms above my head, lost in the playing. The toy buzzed to life, and instantly, I melted.
“Too good.”
He smiled against me. Flicked his tongue. I splintered, going limp with yet another orgasm.
Then the toy was out of me and his dick pushed into its place. Connor flipped us over so I was on top and settling astride him. He reached for my breasts, palming them, admiring, and taking the weight.
“The tracker happened about two years after I left.”
I angled my head, the question half forgotten. “How?”
“I never stopped thinking about ye or worrying. I found myself checking your father’s meetings to see which of his associates would be in town. There was one guy I hadn’t liked the look of, so when he was listed as an attendee, I couldn’t stay away. I broke into your bedroom to watch over ye.”
“I had no idea.”
“Ye wouldn’t. I’d started using sedatives by that point.”
“You drugged me even then?” After the assault, and Connor leaving, I’d had nightmares and sometimes hadn’t been able to sleep. There had been a couple of occasions when that eased. Now I knew why.
“Twice. The second time was my limit. Seeing ye drove me insane. My compromise was the tracker which I could check, even if I vowed to stay away.”
His phone buzzed. It had several times, but now, he checked the screen.
“Arran and Genevieve are ordering dinner. Want anything?”
I rode his dick. “Get a menu.”
“On it.” He typed an answer, reading out loud what he was writing. “Send it over. I’ll give up playing with Everly’s tits long enough to scarf down a meal.”
“Jerk. I haven’t eaten all day.”
“Fuck. Why didn’t ye tell me? I would’ve taken a break in trying to get ye pregnant to feed ye.”
He bucked up, and my laugh turned into a moan.
“Is that what you’re trying to do?”
“Aye.” He frowned. “Though I’ll have to quit the sedatives then.”
Our conversation paused for me to take my pleasure on his rigid form, then Connor flipped me again to drive into me until he, too, fell.
“Filled with my cum at all times,” he breathed. “And tits out. Whatever else has changed, that rule stands.”
While he tracked me and got me pregnant. I must be messed up in the head that those things kindled such strong happiness in me.
A little while on, food was on the way, so we showered and dressed, ready to cross the hall for the opposite apartment.
At the door, Connor pulled me into a hug. “In case it needs to be said, I’m fucking glad ye don’t hate me anymore.”
“I never hated you.”
“Then I projected because I hated myself.” At my expression of enquiry, he twisted his lips. “Ye chose him over me. In my mind, if he was that much better, what did that make me? I didn’t say it was logical.”
My heart dropped. “I’m so sorry I made you feel that way.”
Connor held me tight. “Ye didn’t. All that time, and ye were working to protect me. Did I mention how fucking in love with ye I am?”
My heart skipped a beat. He’d tattooed ‘loved’ on me, but I’d never get used to hearing that word. “I love you. I’m plotting ways to tattoo that on you later.”
His groan sent shivers down my spine. “Business and food first. I’ll eat ye alive when we’re back in bed and let ye loose with my gun.”
We entered Arran and Genevieve’s apartment, just the four of us in the spacious living room that resembled ours, only with fewer knives. Genevieve swept me into an unexpected hug which I returned with a wave of emotion, and Arran palmed my shoulder.
“We’re glad you’re safe,” the gang boss said.
Connor glowered at him. “No fucking thanks to ye.”
Arran tracked his enforcer, his eyebrows diving together. “You mean I should’ve sent more people to watch over Everly.”
“I mean ye should’ve taken care of her in the same way ye would Gen.”
To my surprise, Arran sighed in defeat. “You’re right. Everly, I apologise. In future, that will never happen again.”
“You really don’t need to?—”
“I do.” He stopped me. “Our whole organisation is set up around keeping women safe. Conversely, that makes us targets and creates more risk for the people we care about. I should’ve done better.”
Warm-cheeked, I ducked my head, swapping a glance with Genevieve, hers telling me she already understood this way of thinking. I’d spent so long being put in harm’s way without thought, it would take me longer. Not with Connor, though. His devotion tinged with mutual ownership had been my first taste of safety and one I’d never forget.
Connor directed me to a seat at a round table, eyeing the food. “Leesh joining us this evening, or are we waiting to talk shop?”
Arran opened containers and set them out in the centre. “She didn’t answer my message. I’ll call down after we’ve eaten.”
I gathered they were talking about Alisha, who I’d met in passing but hadn’t spoken to much. She was the third member of their team, so I wanted to make a good impression.
Dinner, which was an array of Spanish dishes, passed by quickly. My hunger was satisfied, but it was obvious that Connor and Arran were dying to get back to business. The minute we were done, we all took the lift downstairs.
The usual thud of bass music permeated from the nightclub, and as the men hunted down Alisha, Mick and Manny appeared behind us.
I already had my bag and phone back because one of them had the foresight to grab it when pursuing me out of the office, even including my little desk cactus, but I gave them my thanks, pushing away their sorrowful apologies for the afternoon’s events. It was behind us now.
Our operations manager hunt took us into the strip club. Perched on a dressing table in the backstage area, Cassie waved to us. She darted over and hugged me.
“I heard about what happened. Damn, girl.”
“I know. I’m glad we found you. I want you to be in on the conversation so we can girl-detective after.”
Pink formed on the apples of her cheeks. It looked like happiness at being included. “I’m there. What are we leading with?”
I heaved a sigh. “I’m here but I don’t think I’m actually safe.”
Cassie and Genevieve moved in closer. I continued.
“Think about it. My father wanted something from Piers, and in exchange, Piers was getting me. Why did my father choose him of the three prisoners Connor has?”
It was strange that I could say a sentence like that without even blinking, but such was my life now.
Cassie’s eyes bugged out. “Who are the other two?”
“Councillors Slaughter and Blake.”
“Holy shite. Is this to interrogate them over the murders?”
“Actually, I don’t think it is. They upset me by saying offensive things about my body. I’m pretty sure that’s why he brought them in, but I didn’t even ask.”
“You’ve gone full gangster girl. I love it. But I get your point. Why ask for Piers if your da can’t deliver his half of the bargain?”
Genevieve looked between us. “Not to sound too savage, but we’ve got an opportunity here. Connor has them captured. We can ask whatever we like.”
We could, and the possibilities spread out before me. “We need to find Alisha first.”
Cassie rubbed her hands together. “Dixie will know where she is. Alisha was being cagey about something the other day, but she confided in Dixie. I saw them talking. Follow me.”
Down the room, Cassie led us to where Dixie worked on her makeup in a brightly lit mirror. “Dixie? Got a sec?”
The dancer peered around. “Sure thing. What’s up?”
“Gen and Everly are trying to find Alisha.”
She squirmed. “Oh?”
“Do ye know where she is?”
“Maybe.”
Cassie made a rolling-hands gesture for her to go on. “Did she leave the warehouse?”
Dixie lowered her gaze, her eyelashes thick and with tiny silver sparkles dotted on them. “I’m not sure she wants anyone to know yet.”
“In this environment when women are being murdered, I think ye need to spill,” the Scotswoman pressed.
The dancer sighed. “She’s gone to find Convict. She said she realised she loves him, or maybe wanted to stand in front of him and see if that’s true.”
My breath left me in a rush.
Likewise, Genevieve gasped. “But he’s joined another gang.”
“That’s what I said. Alisha thinks she can do a little spying on the side.”
“Dixie, this is important, when did she leave?” Genevieve pressed.
“A couple of hours ago. It was still daylight.”
Genevieve swore and took off down the dressing room to where Arran and Connor talked to another member of staff. She filled them in, and both men’s expressions dropped.
As a group, we moved to the management office, Manny joining us along with another man whose name I didn’t know but had the thick-necked gangster vibe down pat.
With his fingers curled into his palms, Arran waited on his ringing phone, centred on his desk in front of him. The rest of us held still in tense silence.
An answerphone kicked in.
Arran stabbed to end the call. “I didn’t expect Convict to answer, but fucking hell. What was Alisha thinking?”
Genevieve paled. “You’re going after her, aren’t you?”
He inclined his head. His gaze held hers then jumped to the crew members. “I don’t intend to create a war, but I will to bring her back. Him, too, if that’s what she wants. Give me your thoughts on how we proceed.”
They began an analysis of the Four Milers’ locations, where they knew Convict had been, and where Alisha might go. In a few minutes, they had a plan, and the crew members left to organise others.
Arran turned to Connor, an air of urgency hanging over them both. “It’s you or me.”
Connor held his focus. “This is my fault. I should fix it.” At Arran’s scrutiny, he continued. “Alisha and I spoke a few days ago. I knew she was upset but I didn’t take time to listen.”
Arran released a breath. “When does she ever share? I could’ve picked up on that if I was paying attention, but she’s always just been there. Save your guilt. I’m going to pull you out of this one. Stay here and manage the warehouse while I’m gone. Handle the shit that needs handling.” Arran’s gaze slid to Genevieve and back.
It took me an embarrassingly long second to get their meaning. Arran wasn’t willing to leave us and the warehouse unprotected, and my relief was sharp at the fact Connor would be the one to stay.
Connor growled in defeat but nodded, then after Arran and Genevieve said an emotional goodbye, the search party exited. We were left in the main corridor, with the familiar sounds of the nightclub’s bass mixing with the busy strip club’s sleazier tunes.
I curled my hand into Connor’s, and he squeezed my fingers, but his distraction was plain. He wanted to be out there, too.
Cassie broke the silence. “What are we waiting for? We have prisoners who make hurting women a sport. Let’s fucking interrogate them.”