Chapter 31 #2
His hand cupped the back of my head as he kissed me, the intensity shifting from boil to simmer as his tongue slid against mine.
There was no doubt about it, this man might be looking to claim my body in ways he hadn’t yet, but I knew he had claimed my heart.
In ways I'd never thought possible.
Kelly
“Sir, I’m gonna need your license and registration,” the officer demanded as he loomed over the driver’s-side window.
The guy was big. Impossibly so. I couldn’t tell for sure, but he had to be a good six and a half feet tall. Black as night and solid as a fucking brick wall. This guy clearly took his job seriously. No donuts for him.
“Do you even know who I am?” I demanded when the officer continued to stare down at me.
The cop’s expression didn’t change. “No, sir. But if you’ll provide license and registration, I’m sure I can figure it out for myself.”
When I had seen the red and blue lights in my rearview mirror about a mile back, I'd been pissed. Of all nights to get pulled over… This was the last damn thing I needed.
As it was, I was only a few miles from my destination, and having my name go on record for being this close to Embers Ridge wasn’t going to work out for me. It meant that my plan for the night had been shot to hell.
Unless…
I could always state that I was following a lead on the Southern Boy Mafia.
I'd had a conversation with my FBI friend, who had informed me that the Adorites were being tracked to central Texas. Apparently they were looking to set up shop down here. I thought it was bullshit, but then my buddy informed me that they’d trailed one of the sisters to Embers Ridge, of all places.
Of course, that had put me on edge at the time.
Seriously. What were the odds? But now that I thought about it, that could be the very excuse I needed to be here.
“Sir. License and registration,” the cop demanded, his white teeth flashing in his dark face.
I glanced down at the name tag on the man’s shirt. SMITH.
“Look, Officer Smith,” I said, trying to keep my tone firm. “I’m actually in a hurry here. I’m following a lead.”
The big man didn’t move. He continued to stare me down. “A lead?”
I sighed. “My name is Kelly Jackson.”
The man’s dark eyebrow lifted. Evidently he didn’t recognize my name. Stupid fuck.
“I’m the Houston police chief,” I explained.
Still no recognition in the guy’s eyes.
If we weren’t on a deserted stretch of road in the middle of the damn night, I might’ve been tempted to get out and make a scene, but as it was, there was a sense of foreboding that continued to dance up and down my spine the longer I sat there.
“Look, Officer, I don’t mean to make your job difficult. It’s just that this is a hot lead and I have to follow it.”
“Once we get this outta the way,” the officer said firmly, “then you can do your thing. Now, license and registration. Please.”
Okay, this was bullshit.
“You don’t mind if I call to confirm your badge number?” I suggested, watching the man closely.
“Do what you need to do,” the officer replied.
Before I could get my phone out, another set of headlights appeared behind us, a good mile or so back. I watched, waiting for them to get closer. Perhaps this was the distraction that I needed.
“Actually, Officer…” I pushed the door open as the headlights neared.
He took one step back, his dark eyes still focused on every move I made. I paid no attention to the headlights approaching.
I took my time getting out, allowing the vehicle to get even closer. I was armed and ready, knowing that in a second, I could have this situation turned in my favor. I just needed a few more…
Rather than pass, the car pulled up behind the squad car.
My eyes darted up to the officer’s face. That’s when I noticed the man was smiling.
“What the hell is going on here?” I snapped, reaching for my gun.
Before I got the holster released, pain smashed into my face from the big guy’s fist.
“Not tonight, you don’t,” I heard him say as the darkness threatened to pull me under. “Kelly Jackson, it’s time you pay for your sins. And I’m happy to tell you, the devil’s waitin’.”
Strong hands released my gun from its holster, then patted me down, relieving me of the backup at my ankle and the knife I kept on the opposite ankle.
I heard the sound of footsteps, my head pounding. I pretended to be out cold, not wanting them to know I was still conscious.
“Mr. Adorite is waiting, Rock,” a voice said. “I’ll take the car. Dispose of it.”
“Better get a move on,” the officer said. “Before we get any traffic down this way.”
“Understood.”
A second later, I felt myself being shifted over onto my stomach. Before I had the sense to fight, my hands were yanked behind my back and something wrapped tightly around them. I jerked quickly, but it did no good. The man’s hold was too strong.
“You won’t get away with this,” I demanded, rage boiling beneath my skin. “I am the goddamn law. No one is above me. I’ll hang your ass out to dry.”
“Oh, we’ve already gotten away with it,” the man referred to as Rock grumbled, tightening his grip as he shackled my hands behind my back. “This is just the fun part.”
“Fuck you,” I growled. “I’m the goddamn chief of police.”
“No,” the man rumbled close to my ear. “You’re a fuckin’ monster who preys on women. But don’t worry, you’ll be in hell soon enough.”
Before I could yell, the man grabbed my head and slammed it into the concrete.
This time, the darkness won out.