Chapter 32 Ethan
Ethan
I’m about to throw up. I trust no one in this city. I don’t know what I’ll do if the LAPD tries to arrest Jackson or take him in. I’d never let it happen. I’d lose my mind—and my temper.
“Let’s go over this.” Reece tosses his backpack down in front of the entryway. “The only information they wanted from Lucas was what you told investigators,” he says to Jax. “If the LAPD stops us, you’re the one they’ll be after.”
“Yeah, no shit,” Jackson quips and drops his own bag to the floor.
“I’ll step in,” Reece continues, “and claim jurisdiction.” He turns to Aurora. “That’s when I want you to call Bennett. Remain behind me until I have to intervene. Then, you go with Ethan. If you can’t get in touch with Bennett, call Lucas.”
Dimitri offered to stay in case Jax needed a lawyer, but I declined. He should be with his boys. The twins cause enough trouble.
“Got it.” She nods. “Only one thing: I already texted Bennett. She’ll meet us downstairs shortly.” Becoming occupied with her phone, she asks Jax, “Are we taking an Uber or one of your cars?”
A scowl forms on my face. “Baby girl, what are you doing?”
We’ve come to an agreement with Reece’s commander. Still, I’d rather Aurora wasn’t involved.
“I’m ordering Bennett a coffee from the cart in the lobby. With this clusterfuck of a morning, she hasn’t had a single cup.” She peers up at Reece. “Do you know how she likes it?” Her lip twitches.
My little brat is up to something. She can’t hide her emotions. It’s one thing I love about her.
“Probably as black as her soul,” he replies. “Why are you communicating with Bennett?”
She drops her phone into her purse. “Remember when she escorted me to the hospital?”
We all stare at her blankly.
“Well, she’s newly married and having trouble with her wife, Kelsey.
Bennett has been in LA, and things have been rocky between them.
” Aurora talks with her hands, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
“She’s miserable, just wants to end this case and see Kelsey, who lives in Arkansas.
So, I found her on Facebook and…” She grimaces, bracing for our reaction.
“Yesterday evening, I flew her wife in, secretly. I put her up in the Laguna Beach penthouse—”
“Babe!” Jax cuts her off, his brows nearly hitting his hairline. “No—”
“Quiet.” She raises a hand. “It gets better.” Her smile grows wicked.
“You know the concierge, Sam, who adores me? I texted him and told him to make sure they get the royal treatment. Anything Kelsey wants, Kelsey gets. Couples’ massages?
Done. Spa visits? Done. Lobster and steak?
Midnight strawberries and whipped cream?
You got it. I paid him a bonus to ensure he was at their beck and call.
Whatever you gave him in the past, I matched it. ”
She grins, proud of herself, and I bite my lip to stifle a chuckle.
Reece stares in shock while Jax drags his hands down his face.
“Aurora,” he groans. “You can get into trouble for that. How did you pay for it?”
As if I’d ever let her get into trouble. She’s cute when she’s devious.
“With my grandma’s credit card.” She shrugs, palms up. “I was careful.”
He tilts his head and narrows his eyes. “Your grandmother has a credit card with that kind of limit? Sam’s bonus was not small.”
Her sharp gaze meets mine. “Someone gave her a black card.”
I’m pretty sure that card is listed under Rossi Investments. Rocco handles the nursing home’s finances. I only approve or deny—and I would never deny Aurora’s grandmother anything.
“And you two arranged this?” Jax asks, skeptical. “You and Gram?”
“I did. The in-suite couple’s massage was her idea though.”
“Babe!” he repeats, his tone higher-pitched. “You can’t bribe a federal agent.”
“We’re friends,” she dismisses him with a wave, “and this job is shitty. Besides, I’m not bribing her with the penthouse. I’m bribing her with your old iPhone.”
He whips around to glare at Reece. “What?”
“Don’t look at me. I’m confused as fuck right now.”
“Please.” She shakes her head. “It wasn’t hard to figure out. Why would Reece have your phone and Lucas know about the videos? Why would you lock it in the safe in the security room?”
He throws his arms in the air. “Because it contains videos of you.”
“Yup, and other people, and I’m turning it in. What’s the worst that can happen? I have leaked sex tapes with my hot husband?”
“There are videos of all of us.” He points to Reece. “The Viking’s supervisor will see his pierced dick.” He stresses the word ‘pierced’ as if it’s a personal insult.
“Shocker—she already has,” Aurora retorts with a tight smile. “After a night of dollar margaritas at the bowling alley.” She singsongs the words, all sassy.
I can only gawk in disbelief. Dollar margaritas at the bowling alley? Reece bowling? I can’t picture it.
Jax gasps and widens his eyes dramatically. “Holy hell, dude. You slept with Bennett? I did not see that coming. She’s… Is she into Dominatrix shit?” He scrunches his nose and draws air through his clenched teeth. “Is that your thing?”
“What?” Reece recoils in horror, his mouth hanging open. “Fuck no.”
“Fuck no to which part?” Aurora asks. “You being into Dominatrix, or…”
“Wait!” Jax throws his head back in laughter.
“This is the best day of my life.” He inhales sharply, trying to rein himself in.
“You don’t remember? Were you blackout drunk wearing bowling shoes?
” He clutches his stomach and doubles over.
“Please tell me you were wearing matching bowling shoes while you fucked.”
Reece’s face turns a deep shade of red. “Shut the fuck up before I toss your ass over the balcony.” His hesitant gaze finds Aurora. “I did not sleep with Bennett…or anyone else I work with.”
Aurora crosses her arms over her chest and cocks a brow. “Are you sure? You were drunk.”
She’s faking. If she actually thought he’d slept with a co-worker, she’d be pouting or shooting daggers at him. Instead, there’s an amused gleam in her eyes. She’s busting his balls—Jackson too.
Welcome to the family, Reece.
“Not that drunk. I remember going home.”
“With someone?”
“No.” His chest heaves. “Did Bennett say I did?”
Her lips curl into a naughty smirk. “She said she saw you taking a piss in the alleyway with your pants around your ankles—her exact words. She said your dick scarred her for life.”
“Jesus Christ.” He blows out a breath. “I’m going to spank your ass so fucking hard.” He lunges for her. “Give me your phone. You’re not allowed to talk to my co-workers anymore.”
Jax and I exchange a sidelong glance. Piercings and spankings? Reece might be kinkier than we thought.
Aurora squeals and turns away. “You can have it after Bennett and I discuss where to take her wife shopping while she fucks over the patriarchy.”