Chapter Twenty-Two Cole
Do I feel like the world’s biggest asshole? Yes.
Do I have a choice in the matter? No.
Addie refuses to say one word to me on the drive to the station in the borrowed cruiser. But I expected as much. The woman has mastered the art of the cold shoulder, but I know I deserve her anger. She feels blindsided and betrayed.
“I have my reasons for doing this, Addie,” I tell her, looking in the rearview mirror and trying to see her through the wire mesh separating us. “Deals were made, and once we get to the station, everything will be explained.”
Silence. She just continues staring out the back passenger window, and my heart clenches. I hope I didn’t send our relationship into FUBAR territory. I’m trying to please her, my Sarge, my long-gone father…
Maybe I need to take a step back and look at what I need. Because doing the supposedly right thing? Hell, it’s killing me.
Her silence hurts, but she doesn’t understand the lengths I’ve gone to in order to secure this deal. To clear her name and keep her out of prison. I had to fight hard to make it happen, putting my career and reputation on the line.
I nearly choked when I had to read her Miranda Rights. But it had to be done. Because I can’t screw this up. Can’t have a technicality rear its ugly head and render all I’ve worked to accomplish null and void.
At the same time, I can’t stand seeing that look of betrayal flash in her pretty blue eyes. I hurt her, and I hate myself for it.
“Fuck!” I slam on the brakes and turn around to face her through the mesh. “Addie, listen to me. I lied to you because I needed your help to bring down Nyx and the others. And with the Sarge up my ass and the Feds breathing down my neck, I vowed to do or say anything to get you onboard.”
Her eyes narrow before her face goes completely blank again. “Anything, huh? Even romance a thief?” she murmurs without emotion. “Well, congratulations, Detective. You sure fooled me. I thought you had a shred of honor. Guess I was wrong.”
The lack of emotion in her voice concerns me, but I know her. I know how she can flip on a dime, and how she pulls on that emotionless mask to protect herself.
“What happened between us was real,” I say, my voice dropping. “At least it was for me.”
“Is there even evidence against one of my team?” she asks, avoiding talking about what happened between us. “Or was that just one more lie in your very intricate web?”
Shit. I knew this question would come up eventually, and suddenly that little white lie seems so much bigger now.
“No,” I admit, opting for complete transparency. “There was never any evidence against one of your teammates. Although, not for lack of trying,” I add dryly, but she isn’t amused. “I made that up to secure your help because I know how loyal you are. That you’d protect them at all costs.”
“So you manipulated me. Wow. I didn’t know you had it in you. And here I was thinking I’m the bad guy.”
“I’m not the bad guy. But I need to bring you in so we can offer you an official deal for immunity.” There. I just laid all my cards out on the table. But instead of looking grateful, she locks eyes with me, defiant as hell. And if looks could kill, I’d be deader than Nyx and Warrant.
“Screw your deal. I’d rather rot in jail,” she hisses.
Sighing, I rake a hand through my hair. I hadn’t even considered she’d decline the deal I worked too damn hard to get for her. The radio crackles to life, reminding me that we should be pulling into the station by now.
“We’ll lay out the full terms for you at the station,” I tell her. “And before you say no, I suggest you think really hard about your answer.”
“Fuck off, Detective,” she responds without missing a beat.
Yeah, this is going to be more challenging than I anticipated. Because Addison Mills does not trust me. Not one little bit.
Addie and I both have changed out of our wet clothes and into gray sweatshirts and matching sweatpants with the Denver PD logo, and the Phoenix Kiss is securely locked up.
It’s well past midnight by the time Sergeant Mahoney and I explain the terms of the immunity deal.
A deal I had to fight tooth and nail for, working my ass off to convince him Addie is more useful as an asset working alongside us rather than locked away.
Because he’s still salty about her mother outsmarting him for years and wanted her daughter’s ass arrested, convicted and imprisoned along with the rest of Denver’s thieves.
But I couldn’t let him do that. Not after everything that happened between Addie and me. She made me realize some things are more important than work. She became way more important than any plan or job.
I came to realize she was always the prize. Nothing else mattered once I had her.
And now I’ve lost her.
“You’ll be working directly with Detective Vaughn to take down known thieves by helping to track their movements, supplying intel and staying one step ahead by sharing your extensive knowledge when it comes to that world.
In exchange, you’ll be granted full immunity for past crimes committed,” Sergeant Mahoney summarizes.
He closes a folder, sliding it across the table to her.
“Look over the details, show it to your lawyer, do whatever you need to do. But the deal expires in one week, so if you’re smart, you’ll sign. ”
Addie doesn’t even glance at the folder. She just sits there, hands neatly folded on the tabletop, blue eyes unblinking as she says, “Immunity for me and my entire crew—or no deal.”
I knew she’d want that, tried to convince the Sarge to add it, but he’d refused, intent on playing hardball first. But he has no idea who he’s dealing with, I think, sitting back in my seat and giving him an “I told you so” look.
“I also expect to be paid for services rendered,” she continues.
“In case you’ve forgotten, I own and operate A-Squared Enterprises, which takes up the majority of my time.
If you’d like to hire me as a consultant, my fee is one hundred dollars an hour plus additional compensation when necessary.
I’ll have my lawyer write up the details.
So, if you’re smart, you’ll sign. Are we finished here? ”
The look of disbelief and grudging admiration on Sarge’s face makes me want to chuckle. But now he’s beginning to understand just how valuable having Addie and her team working for us would be. My lips twitch as he grunts out, “You drive a hard bargain, Ms. Mills.”
“I’ll have my lawyer make the necessary additions,” she states. “Then you can look over the details, do whatever you need to do. But the deal expires in one week.”
The way she repeats his earlier statement, boldly tossing it right back in his face, finally breaks me, and I hide my laughter behind a cough.
God, she’s something else. I shake my head, and it hits me like a punch in the gut—I love this woman.
No matter how much she pushes my buttons and makes me crazy, she’s also the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
She brightens my life and challenges me in ways nothing else does.
Not even my damn job.
“Am I free to leave?” she asks, looking down at the slim watch on her wrist. “Or does someone need to post my bail, because I do believe I was arrested.”
Finally, she looks over at me. And, yeah, she’s still pissed. There’s no missing the angry sparks shooting across the table at me.
Sarge looks over at me and I shrug. “You’re free to go,” he says, and she immediately stands up.
“Let me walk you out,” I offer, also standing, but she holds up a hand.
“Don’t bother. My friends are here. I trust them to get me home safely.”
Then she stalks out of the interrogation room. Her cold dismissal stings, but I get it. She needs time to process everything that’s happened. It’s been a rough fucking night.
“She’s gonna be a joy to work with,” Sarge murmurs.
“Once she calms down, it’ll all be okay,” I assure him.
“She seemed pretty calm to me.”
I rake a hand through my hair, about to turn toward my office, when an officer walks inside and informs us Simon Nyx’s body is missing.
“What do you mean it’s missing?” I ask.
“I’m saying, when first responders arrived, there was no trace of Nyx.”
“That’s impos—”
Fuck. We were so intent on chasing after Addie and Warrant, that I didn’t even consider the bastard wasn’t dead. Maybe he was wearing a bullet proof vest and played possum until the coast was clear. Which means Addie is still in danger. “I need to find Nyx!”
Addie isn’t that far ahead of me, but when I reach the lobby, there’s no sign of her or her crew. “Jimenez,” I call over to the officer at the front desk. “When did they all leave?”
“About five minutes ago, Detective.”
Dammit. I race out the front door, but Knox’s Jag is gone.
Reaching into my jogging pants pocket, I pluck out the key fob to the borrowed cruiser.
After slipping inside, I don’t waste one precious second and hit the gas while using voice command to call Addie.
But, of course, she doesn’t answer. Waiting impatiently for the recording, I spin around a corner and pray she’s okay.
“You’ve reached Addie. Please, leave a message.” Beep.
“Addie, Simon Nyx is alive! Don’t go back to your place until I send a squad car over for protection. Call me when you get this.” I hang up, hoping she’ll call right back, but my phone remains silent.
Letting out a frustrated curse, I hit the wheel. If the sudden heaviness of doom that fills me like a block of cement is any indication, Addie is in trouble.
Shit. Listen to my message, Addie. Please, baby, hear my warning.