CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Jax and I are following the two clowns down a dank warehouse corridor. Lights flicker to the sound of static and water dripping. It’s giving very low budget film vibes.
Rot burns in my nostrils. That might be my internal conflict staging a protest or unidentifiable sludge dripping off the walls. Whatever it is should redirect me to the straight and narrow. Unfortunately for me and my delayed conscience, I’m committed to seeing this through.
“I need to tell you something,” Jax murmurs softly to prevent an echo. His tone almost carries a note of concern.
“It’s a little late for confessions.” Especially when I’ve already plotted his demise.
“Frankie, this is serious. It might get messy. I don’t want you to get caught in the middle.”
A stale snort rips from me, bouncing off the concrete fortress. “Since when?”
“I’m a cop,” he blurts.
My boot catches a ghost hole and I stumble. “The fuck you just say?”
Jax winces as my voice carries, but the bozos we’re tailing don’t hear me. “I’ve been undercover since the start.”
A bomb explodes in my brain. I gape at him with my mouth hanging open, bound to catch flies and gangrene. But then his words repeat. Once more for good measure. This is too much.
I start to laugh. Loudly. The amusement just pours out of me. It quakes through my whole frame until I’m folded in half.
He gives me a firm shake. “Will you shush?”
“You shush!” I whack him across the stomach, grinning like a maniac when he doubles over. “That’s what you get for lying.”
“It’s the truth,” Jax rasps while straightening to boldly face me again. “I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you sooner, but that would’ve compromised the case. Kinda defeats the purpose, Franks.”
My hands tighten on the bag strapped to my chest. It’s armed to the teeth. I never leave home without it. The daggers are about to come in handy.
“I’m gonna stab you in the dick,” I seethe.
Jax hunches forward slightly like that will protect him. “I’d rather you didn’t.”
“You deserve far worse.”
“That might be true, but my intentions are decent.”
“Really? So, what’s the grand plan? You’re gonna hang us”—my arm waves at the goons ahead as if I care what happens to them—“out to dry for a crime we haven’t committed yet? Really solid, asshole.”
“No, I never wanted you to be a part of this. That’s why I ditched you after the compound was raided. It seemed to all work out for the best when Byron hired you.”
My eyes narrow into sharper points than my entire knife collection. “You’ve been keepin’ tabs on me?”
He has the audacity to smirk. “Part of the job, whether you’re my target or not. How’s the nanny gig? Can’t say I ever would’ve guessed that.”
“You and me both,” I mutter before remembering that I’m mad at him. “Quit trying to distract me. You’re a snake.”
He holds up his hands when I aim a blade at his throat. “Whoa, whoa. Think about what you’re doing, Frankie.”
“Don’t worry about me.”
“I’m not the enemy.”
“I disagree. We were friends, or so I foolishly thought. Lying bastard,” I spit.
“We are friends,” he reiterates. “You’re like a little sister to me, which is why I care where this leads. Put the knife down.”
“Why would I do that?”
“Because you’re smarter than this,” Jax states calmly. “It would also save me the trouble of disarming you.”
“As if you could.”
His eyes twinkle. “Wanna bet?”
I want to argue and beat him in a fight. Years of experience strongly suggest I shouldn’t bother trying. Steam spews from my flared nostrils. At least now I understand how he was always so damn skilled at hand-to-hand combat.
With a flick of my wrist, the dagger is tucked into my bag. I discreetly turn on my phone while my fingers are in the vicinity. The rapid-fire buzz of silent notifications isn’t that easy to ignore.
My arms cross over the noise and I tap my foot for an added precaution. “Happy?”
His nod is quick. “You will be too.”
“That remains to be seen.”
“As I was saying,” Jax drawls. “There are a lot of big players in this game. James Keller was a pawn meant to get me higher in the ranks, but then he died. I stuck around to sniff out these bikers. It took months to determine they’re a dead end.”
“Wow, great detective work.” I slow clap.
He scowls. “It’s a process to get accepted by a criminal organization. Plus, paperwork is a bitch.”
“Uh-huh, I almost care enough to keep listening.”
“What’re you two ladies gossiping about?” The bellow ricochets at us like rancid morning breath.
“That’s my cue,” I chirp. “If you’ll excuse—”
But Jax yanks me back before I can even take a step. “Fuck off. We’re having a meeting,” he yells at them in return.
“Shouldn’t we be included?” It’s the same voice from earlier.
“No,” Jax clips. “We’ll be along shortly. Find something to do.”
“Don’t like that guy,” comes out as an offended mutter, but they don’t say more.
“Wait,” I say as a thought occurs to me. “If these losers are getting you nowhere, why am I here?”
Jax sighs. “Those bikers wouldn’t take no for an answer. They have a serious hard-on for you.”
“Obviously,” I purr.
His upper lip curls at my attempt to pamper my pride. “When they insisted that we pick you up, I knew it was my time to strike. I figured you’d just turn on your signature charm, flip us off, and walk away. I’m curious as to why you got in the van.”
“To eliminate the threat.” I slice a finger across my throat.
Jax’s stony expression isn’t impressed. “You’re not a killer.”
“I’ll be whatever it takes if they try to use Byron and Ronnie against me.”
That gives him pause. “You care about them,” he murmurs.
“Yeah, so?” I shrug it off as if my heart hasn’t kicked into acceleration mode.
“I’m glad you found a place to settle. That’s what I wanted for you.”
“Like I care about your approval,” I snap.
“Well, you have it regardless.”
“Okay, for real,” I sigh. “What’re we doing here?”
“We aren’t doing anything. Feel free to go.” Jax juts his chin in the direction we came from.
“Unlike you, I don’t leave my team behind.” My nose crinkles. “Not that we’re a team anymore.”
“I’m just going to apprehend these small-timers before moving on. There’s no need for you to get your hands dirty. In fact, I’d strongly advise against it.”
“Where are you going next?” Why I’m asking is a better question.
He eyes me closely as if he’s not going to tell me. “I’m on the hunt for Jimmy Benson.”
Shock betrays me, widening my eyes before I can act normal and uninterested. “Byron doesn’t know where he is.”
“Don’t fret, Frankie. I’m not going to shake down your boyfriend.”
My gut clenches. “Why would I believe you?”
“There’s someone else willing to bait the trap.” But his lips are sealed after that.
“Why are you telling me all of this?”
Jax shrugs. “Maybe you’ll actually believe me someday. I want you to trust me. You were never part of the plan.”
I let out a wary, weary exhale. “I can’t believe you’re a cop.”
“I can’t believe we’re still standing here.”
“Well, you look like shit,” I fire in return.
“Part of the disguise.” He smooths a palm down his stained shirt that has more holes than a slice of Swiss cheese. “Let’s get this over with. Stay out of my way.”
“Cocky jackass.” I’d love nothing more than to take him down several notches.
But then he’s on the move. Jax sticks to the shadows like a predator about to pounce. Before they even hear his approach, he has the first dumbass in a sleeper hold. The second goon whirls around just as Jax kicks his legs out from under him. Both guys are down and done for within seconds.
Dammit, Jax’s smug attitude is warranted. I even have the urge to applaud his methodical attack. It was very efficient. I guess that’s what he was trained for.
“Wow.” I can’t keep the awe out of my voice. “You’ll have to teach me how to do that.”
His smirk is entirely too confident, taking me back to simpler times. “Join the force.”
And with that, I’m smacked with a dose of reality. “Absolutely not.”
Jax looks me over as if I could’ve been harmed in the one-sided scuffle. “I was lying, by the way.”
“About what?”
“People can change. You were always meant for more than a life of crime. I’m glad you found it.”
My nose stings and I drop my gaze. “That almost means something.”
“Get outta here before I haul you in.” He whips out two pairs of cuffs from his jacket pocket.
“Yeah, it’s about that time. This was… enlightening.” Not to mention cathartic. An old, festering wound now has the chance to heal. “See ya around?”
Jax gives me a stern look. “Not if you stay out of trouble.”
“Unlikely,” I laugh.
“Take care of your new family, Franks. It’s a good look for you.”
Heat burns my eyes in an embarrassing display of emotion. I turn away before he can catch me blubbering. My hurried stride doesn’t drown out Jax’s call for backup. A bitter huff scraps from me. That piece of traitor trash was a cop all along.
Winter greets me with a burst of cold wind as I step outside. I inhale the fresh air, allowing my eyes to slide shut for a moment. The crunch of furious footsteps snaps my gaze open. My attention locks on Byron’s full-speed approach.
“Hey, boyfriend,” I croon. “Did you get my bat signal?”
“Cut the shit, menace,” he growls.
The clench of his chiseled, bearded jaw is visible beneath the darkening sky. It’s almost tempting enough for me sprawl on the ground in offering. But then I remember Jax’s cover is at risk of being blown.
I block the entrance with a starfish formation. “You can’t go in there.”
Byron presses himself flush against me. “Why not?”
“It’s… dangerous.”
That gives him pause. “Are you hurt?”
I bite my inner cheek. “No.”
“Did you hurt someone?”
My scoff is affronted. “No.”
“Gotta give me answers,” he rumbles low. “Or I’ll bust that door down and get them myself.”
“It’s been taken care of,” I evade.
Which isn’t good enough for him. “Dennis told me that two of the bikers escaped. Are they in there?”
The truth expands in my chest, but I force it down. “I’d rather not say.”
The demand for destruction steels his towering stance into a dominating force. “Move.”
As a last-ditch effort, I launch myself at him. I’m whisked into his arms as if this ploy was choreographed. Byron’s palms cradle my ass while I cinch my legs around his waist. In a downward swoop, I fuse my mouth to his and proceed to kiss the suspicion out of him.
Warmth floods me immediately. It’s potent and intoxicating. That spicy, woodsy scent of his goes straight to my head. I feel my lashes flutter against the feverish onslaught. If Byron wasn’t holding me, I’d melt into a puddle at his feet.
He groans while swiping his tongue out to tangle with mine.
I fist the front of his shirt, yanking us impossibly closer.
We fight for control and I get lost in the motions.
My hips buck against him, grinding into his belt buckle.
Byron clenches his fingers until his grip is almost painful.
I nip at him, hoping we both leave a mark.
“Let’s have sex,” I murmur against his lips.
He grunts when I smash my breasts into him. “Just want to distract me.”
“No,” I mewl. “Need you, honey.”
My hand glides down, wedging into the snug space between us. I stretch my fingers in an attempt to undo his jeans. There’s too much blocking me. My nails claw at him, unable to get a grip.
“If I could just—” But my statement stalls when Byron comes to an abrupt halt.
The dingy walls of the warehouse blink into view. I realize too late that he’s carried me to the scene of the non-existent crime. Panic clutches my throat until I notice Jax is slumped on the ground. My former friend is looking just as knocked out as the other two.
“Dammit,” I cry. “You outmaneuvered me.”
Byron is vibrating with desire or rage. Most likely the latter. “What the fuck, Frankie?”
“It’s not what it looks like,” I rush to say.
“Did you do this?”
“Uh-huh, yep. All by myself. Okay, we can go now.” I rock against him, trying to move us along.
“Menace,” he rasps. “Why don’t I believe you?”
“Not sure, but that’s a you problem to sort out later.”
Byron’s shrewd awareness rips into my defenses. “I thought you didn’t hurt anyone.”
My nose rubs along his. “I didn’t, thank you very much. They’re just taking a little nap until the cops arrive.”
He considers my honesty while his focus slides over the men. “You took all three of them out?”
“Hey!” I pin him with a nasty glare. “Your lack of faith in me is really sexy. I’m super turned on right now. Be a good boy and fuck me on this dirty concrete.”
“Frankie,” he deadpans. “I’m trying to get a handle on this situation so you don’t get arrested.”
“Mhmm,” I breathe. “You’re the one who got me tossed in the back of a squad car.”
Byron jostles me as if trying to convince my logic to wake up. “This isn’t the time for jokes.”
“How do you figure? They’re alive. The police will arrive any minute. It’s fine.” I clasp his cheeks in my palms. “But we won’t be if we don’t leave right now.”
His hard gaze is about to argue. “I want you to tell me how you got involved in this.”
“The details aren’t important, but our future is. Please take me home.”
“Promise me that this won’t touch Ronnie.”
“I would never let any harm come her way.” Conviction clangs in my icy tone.
Byron’s stare burrows deeper into mine, still searching for more. “Did you do this to protect her?”
My eyes slide to Jax who appears to be fighting a grin. Such a shit. I should throw him under the bus. But something stops me. Maybe it’s a sign of forgiveness. I might be truly healing. Or the fact that he’s actually on the right side of the law. I’m still pissed about that.
“They came to her school,” I tell him. “That was their last mistake. I wasn’t about to let them get away again.”
He holds his silence for a long time, but then the fight bleeds from him on a loud exhale. “Thank you, menace,” he finally says. “Thank you for doing whatever it takes to keep her safe.”
“Always, stud. No limits.” I wrap him in a hug that fills me with warmth. It’s a comfort only he provides. “And don’t worry. I’ve got your back too.”
“Does that mean you’re sticking around permanently?”
A sudden shyness creeps in, burying my face in the crook of his neck. “If you’ll have me.”
But Byron doesn’t let me hide. His thumb and forefinger grasp my chin, tugging until our gazes meet. “I do without question, but I think we need to change your job description.”
Laughter sputters from my cheesy grin. “Are you about to fire me?”
“Think of it as more of an upgrade.”
“To what?”
“Mine,” he murmurs against my smile. “Pretty sure Ronnie has her own title picked out for you.”
My belly swoops and I almost giggle. Gosh, I’m turning into a sap. “It’s a deal.”
“And now,” Byron gives me a gentle kiss. “I’ll take you home.”