Chapter 28
NOELLE
I froze under the weight of Rafe’s glare.
His anger radiated around us.
I couldn’t blame him, though it wasn’t really my fault.
I’d disappear if I could. Melt right into the floor, never to be seen again.
Except I couldn’t.
Anger stirred low and hot as I stared at the broad expanse of Bishop’s back.
One look at the gathered crowd’s shocked expressions and what I already knew of Bishop proved that this was not normal.
Guilt stabbed deep and with such savageness, I lost the ability to breathe.
My choices put them at risk, and it forced Bishop into this protective stance against his leader.
His skin burned beneath my fingertips.
I’d seen the haze of anger come over him in the bar, but I hadn’t expected to feel its power here. “I didn’t know.”
My voice came out trembling, and I forced air into my lungs and steeled myself against the anger coming my way.
I stepped out from behind Bishop. “I didn’t know they were a rival club. I’m new in town.”
That excuse felt as flimsy as ever, but it was my story and I had to stick to it. “I didn’t think—”
“That’s right.” Rafe interrupted me. “You didn’t think.”
His hands flexed at his sides.
The garage’s bare walls couldn’t contain this argument forever. “You told me you were running errands. What kind of errand takes you to a biker bar?”
He waited for me to answer, and when I didn’t immediately jump to my own defense, he dropped his head. “Answer me, Noelle.”
There was that controlling asshole I’d met in his office.
Only that night had brought some of the best pleasure in my life.
Today, I saw the thin veneer of the real Rafe threatening to break free.
I should be terrified.
What would he do if he found out I was investigating him?
Sweat slicked my palms.
I ignored it and the twist in my gut. “I wanted to talk to people who’d been at the Christmas drive.
I thought if I talked to them, I could get some nice things to say about the Steel Vipers.
Some character witness statements for the paper.
I wanted to show everyone you’re not the monsters they’re led to believe. ”
Too far.
I’d gone too far.
I remembered too late that Rafe wanted people to think they were awful.
His jaw twitched, a muscle leaping several times as he stared at me.
Bishop’s constant presence at my side gave me strength.
He placed a hand at the small of my back. It wasn’t much, but it was yet another stab to his loyalty to Rafe.
“Character witnesses?” Rafe shook his head, the look in his eyes showing his disbelief. “You walked into their den to prove we’re good people?”
I tried for flirty as I tossed my hair. “Well, to be fair, I didn’t know who they were.” I swallowed hard when reality took hold and reminded me anything could have happened if they hadn’t showed up.
Which reminded me… how had they found me? “I didn’t think anyone would get hurt.”
Bishop’s hand ran up and down my spine.
Even without words, he provided incredible emotional support.
Rafe sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Unbelievable.”
Bishop relaxed when Rafe lowered his hand and the tiniest smile lifted one side of his mouth.
“Maybe I overreacted.” Another breath. “When Colt told me where you were, I took off. Didn’t think it through.”
“You…” I glanced at Colt and the sudden guilty expression he wore. “You had Colt follow me?”
The way his gaze shuttered said more than words. “Yes.”
Blood roared through my ears.
I took a step back.
“That’s… I can’t…” I faced the open garage door. “I need a minute.”
“Where are you going?” Bishop jumped to follow me.
I held up a hand. “I’m going for a walk. Alone.”
He didn’t deserve the rejection, but I needed space to work through what the hell had just happened.
Colt had followed me.
I could have blown my cover and never even known it.
The next morning, I walked into the precinct with my head high and my gaze locked on Captain Delaney’s door.
I was sick and tired of making this trip across the bullpen feeling like a display.
But I had no choice.
Just like I’d had no choice but to accept that Rafe hadn’t trusted me.
I understood, but it didn’t make me feel any better.
It sucked ass.
The bright fluorescent lights caused me to squint.
I’d been up late trying to figure out why I’d been summoned.
My eyes burned and the static hum of police radios didn’t give me the homey feeling it used to.
Distant footsteps echoed mine, and the scent of stale coffee made me appreciate the cup I’d grabbed from a local vendor on my way in.
Captain Delaney didn’t look up as I entered.
Not that I’d expected him to after our last meeting.
I might have taken things too far that day, but he’d deserved to hear everything I said.
“Sit.” He pointed at the chair beside me.
I obeyed because why not?
I perched on the edge and sipped my coffee.
The delicious caramel and chocolate concoction reminded me of my night in the kitchen with Ash, Rafe, and Bishop.
Leather creaked when the captain sat back.
He didn’t look at me, choosing instead to focus on a spot over my shoulder.
“Progress report.” Blunt nails tapped a sharp rhythm on the arm of his chair.
So this was how things were going to play out now?
I took another drink and crossed my ankles.
I hadn’t bothered with my uniform but strolled in wearing one of my favorite pairs of Christmas leggings with a green sweater dress over them.
“I’ve been following a few leads. Tracking down potential witnesses.” I spoke the jargon, twisting it to fit my narrative without lying. “There—”
He cut me off with a growl. “Leads? Do you even realize how little you’ve uncovered? You’ve wasted time. I’ve received word that the Steel Vipers will be moving a large shipment on Christmas Eve.”
“What kind of shipment? Where did you hear this?” As my captain, he should be forthcoming with his information.
How could I succeed if he withheld pertinent information?
Maybe that was the point.
I’d suspected they all wanted me to fail.
The fact that I hadn’t faced any scrutiny or catcalls this time wasn’t a show of respect.
It happened because there was no one around.
Captain Delaney slammed a folder down on the desk with enough force to send papers flying off to the side.
“What does it matter?” He finally looked at me, and hatred filled his eyes. “Could be drugs. Weapons. Possibly human trafficking. Could be all of it. Who knows with these motherfuckers. I don’t know, and I don’t care. What I do know is that I want it stopped.”
He stood. “You find the shipment, and you make an arrest on Christmas Eve. I want this bullshit wrapped up.”
The coffee I’d drank soured in my stomach.
I’d never seen him this angry.
Even when I lambasted him for the treatment I’d received, he hadn’t cared this much.
“On Christmas Eve?” I hadn’t meant to question him, but how could I not?
I mean, Christmas Eve was one of the major days for the Vipers.
His eyes narrowed. “Do you have a problem with that, Detective?”
The title startled me into motion.
I stood, sloshing coffee over the rim of my cup and across my hand.
It was lukewarm so it didn’t hurt. “Sir, I’m not sure your information is correct.”
Their faces flashed through my mind.
Rafe. Bishop. Ash.
Smiles and laughter.
Teasing caresses that led to passionate nights.
“I know for a fact that the Vipers have plans on Christmas Eve, and it has nothing to do with a drug deal.”
“Oh, really? So you’re saying that the intel you’ve received from the men you’re sleeping with is superior to what I’ve received from a respected member of the community?
A report that clearly states the Vipers are moving a large shipment of illegal goods from a warehouse on Eighth Street.
You’re saying the men fucking you wouldn’t lie to you? They’re bikers, Noelle. Jesus.”
He spat the last word and slammed both hands onto the desk. “I knew this was a bad idea from the beginning. You’re too weak for this. No woman should be out there doing this job. You’re compromised, and you can’t even see it.”
Compromised.
The word sounded so dirty, so vile, for what I’d experienced.
I wasn’t compromised.
I had found a place where people appreciated me.
“Don’t let them cloud your judgment.” Captain Delaney continued. “They’re not your family. They’re not friends. I wouldn’t even call them lovers. They’re targets. You’re the law. Act like it. Follow the rules of engagement. I don’t care what anyone else tells you.”
Thoughts and images bombarded me.
Who did I trust?
The captain was on the right side of the law.
I should trust him.
How could I betray Ash and the others when they’d been so good to me?
Nothing they’d done made me suspicious.
My duty demanded I take a step back and face facts. Criminals would do anything to keep from getting caught.
The office closed in the same way the garage had last night.
“Noelle.” Delaney’s voice whipped my head around to face him. “I need to know exactly what they’re moving. And who’s involved.”
He had never been anything other than my superior officer, and he’d never cared about me.
He proved it with every word out of his mouth. “You have two weeks. Do your job. I don’t care how you feel about them. Do this right or don’t bother showing up to work on New Year’s Eve.”
I left the office without a word or a backward glance.
It didn’t matter.
My job was on the line already.
One more infraction wasn’t going to make a difference.
How was it that I stood up to Captain Delaney, and to Rafe, but today, I lost all ability to defend myself?
My vision blurred as hot tears burned behind my eyes.
I refused to let them fall.
Not here.
Not where my colleagues might see.
Snow swirled around my ankles when I stepped outside.
How did I reconcile duty with the people I cared about?
I thought I’d known the risks.
I thought I was ready to face the danger and potential betrayal.
Their world pulled me in, and I wasn’t sure I had the strength to leave the web they’d cast over me.
My phone buzzed.
I almost ignored it, but I needed the distraction.
Bishop’s face appeared alongside a text bubble.
Unable to stop myself, I clicked it.
An image of a dancing Santa Claus filled my screen.
A laugh took place of my tears.
Bishop understood me.
They all did.
The job I’d told them about was a lie, but everything else I’d shown them about me was the most genuine I’d ever been.
With anyone.
Fuck.
It hit me at the same time Ash sent me a GIF of a chocolate sundae.
I was falling in love with them.