by Ruby Vincent
I ached to reach between us. Tease my clit the way Killian did when he wasn’t trying to keep me alive.
“Killian,” I gasped.
He dropped to his knees, bringing us in. Killian grabbed the chair and me the ledge, using the leverage to meet thrust for thrust. Our bodies rolling and connecting in rippling explosions that went off in every nerve ending.
Sweat beaded under my dress. Our cries were louder than the music now, pushing it to the background. We were all that existed.
“Killian, I—”
“I love you.”
The confession stole mine off my tongue. Round eyes met his as a feeling spread through my body. Killian struck that spot, and it overwhelmed me, shrouding my soul in the unique love I could feel for him and only him.
I fell on top of him, clutching his jacket and hearing his heart rocket in his chest in time to his orgasm.
Killian tucked my head under his chin. “How many orgasms are we up to?” he asked, slightly out of breath.
“I lost count,” I said with a laugh.
“That’s about how many.”
I wriggled up and kissed him. “I fully expected to work for it. But you’re worth the wait.”
Chapter Eight
Cash
Adeline smirked at me throughout the drive home. She was Sylvester with Tweety hanging out of her mouth. The satisfaction permeated the car better than the air conditioner.
Any woman I fell for deserved to walk around smug as shit. She accomplished the impossible.
“Say it again.” Redgrave was cheesing so hard, her face threatened to crack in half. “You know you want to.”
I blew out a gusty sigh.
“I made the great Killian Hunt put his heart on the line, and now it’s mine. Say it.”
“It’s yours.”
She kissed my cheek. “See? Isn’t that better?”
Our building came into sight. “I hope you realize what this teasing means for your ability to walk in the morning.”
Adeline visibly shivered. “I was counting on it.”
I parked the car, and shot out. Adeline ran squealing up the steps—fast, but not fast enough. I trapped her between me and the door.
“I believe you mentioned something about a maid costume?”
She nipped my nose. “And an early morning blowjob. We can move up the timeline on that one.” She glanced over my shoulder. “Oh. I forgot my purse.”
“I’ve got it. Upstairs. Change. Now.”
Adeline stole one more kiss, then went inside. I doubled back to the car.
Her purse wasn’t on the seat. I glanced in the back. On the floor.
Nothing.
Crouching, I felt under the passenger seat, hoping I wouldn’t have to go back to the theater for it. My hand fell on the leather clutch. Drawing it out, I brushed my under-seat pouch with the back of my hand.
I halted.
I dropped the purse, probing the bag properly.
The bomb is where it should be, but...
Jaw tightening, the beginnings of my grin vanished. I traveled up to the lit window of Adeline’s bedroom, seeing her shadowed figure flit about.
Christine, what did you do?
ADELINE
I stretched beneath the sheets, working out the kinks and tightness courtesy of Killian. He was like an animal the night before. Pounced on me coming through the door, strings of my costume half tied, and he didn’t pull back the throttle till we both collapsed in an exhausted sleep.
Grinning, I flipped over, feeling for him.
My hand landed on pillow.
“Killian?”
No one. His half of the bed was empty.
Sitting up, I called for him again. “Killian?”
He was a card-stamped early bird, but that morning a special wake-up call was due. No way he’d miss that.
“Killian?”
I wrapped the sheets around me, and padded out of the room, searching for him. If he was doing something sweet like making me breakfast, I’d ride him right there on the kitchen floor. I had more than half of my men right where I wanted them—Mercer and his work was an ongoing process—that was reason to celebrate.
I stuck my head in the kitchen, found it empty, and continued to his favorite place. Killian glanced up from his desk when I walked in. He pushed his drawer in.
“Hey, baby.” I rounded the desk and kissed him. “Did you forget our deal? I owe you a present this morning.” I pushed his chair to give him just that.
Killian closed over my arms. “I didn’t forget, and trust me, I want you to deliver. Something happened.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I got an alert from one of our accounts that a large amount was withdrawn. None of us authorized it.”
“What? You mean someone stole from you?”
“Looks that way,” he said, turning those hardening pools on the screen. “It could be a bank glitch, but it’s serious either way. Money’s short. Lucky, Pistol, and the guys are expecting their cut of the Vega robbery. The timing of this is so terrible, it borders on purposeful.”
“How much did they take?”
“About thirty grand.”
“Holy shit. That can’t be a glitch.”
Cash rubbed my arms. “I’ve got to take care of this right now. You understand, right?”
“Of course. What will you do? How will you get the money back?”
“I’ve got to work it out with the bank first. Then, I’ll track down where it went.”
“Okay.” We kissed. “I’ll make your favorite breakfast, toy boy. Keep you fueled up for hunting down thieves.”
“Thanks.” He smiled. “Love you.”
“Love you too.”
CASH
I dropped the smile on the click of the lock. Shifting, I reopened the drawer, gazing at the bomb.
It looked exact. I could almost believe it was one of mine.
I shut it, moving to my computer. The fake bank sites were closed, and the news tab opened. As rough a place as Cinco City was, bombings were not a common occurrence.
I’d been lax in recent weeks. My daily news scanning was downgraded to background noise while I planned the Vega robbery, or Redgrave was doing her best to twist my mind around her finger.
I hit search. A million hits returned in half a second.
Top headline: Explosion at Leviathan Auto Shop kills—
Next.
I scrolled down, clicking on the second.
Woman killed in Mercy Park explosion identified as Tara Duncan.
Tara Duncan?
I read every line of the article twice, sticking on two points. Charred bits of money at the scene, and the mourning of her fellow coworkers at Waterford Retirement Home.
Oscar Redgrave’s retirement home.
I don’t know how long I sat there, hunched over the screen, but I only looked up once at Adeline’s return. She placed the food next to me, and followed it with a kiss. The next arrival broke my trance.
“You didn’t eat your breakfast?” Adeline was dressed and beautiful in a simple white top and skirt. She carried a second tray.
I glanced at the clock. Four hours had passed.
“Lost track of time,” I admitted. “It’s certain now. We were robbed. Betrayed by someone close to us.”
“Do you know who?”
I tracked her approach. “I have a pretty good idea.”
“Well then, you definitely need to eat. Can’t plan revenge on an empty stomach.” She traded my cold steak and eggs for a bowl of noodles. “Sesame garlic noodles. I felt like crossing borders today.”
“Looks good.”
She waited. Picking up the hint, I took a couple of bites.
Satisfied, she left.
I fished my phone out of my pocket.
Me: Get up here. I need to talk to you.
I knew for a fact he was just downstairs, yet it was an hour before my door flew open again.
“What do you want?”
“We really are as close as brothers can be.”
“I should think so.” Sinjin sprawled on my couch, hanging a leg over the arm. “We run a business. We haven’t killed each other. Can’t ask for more than that.”
“I can ask for something.” Getting up, I closed and locked the door.
“I’m afraid I have to refuse. Hooking up with my foster brother goes beyond my eclectic tastes.”
“Shut the fuck up.”
I dropped a chair in front of him. Leaning in, I began, “Do you—”
I stopped. If Redgrave listening at doors was a concern, so was her bugging my office.
Would she?
“Play Count Basie,” I ordered. My music flicked on, filling the room with jazz. “Do you ever wonder about Redgrave? That there’s something off about her.”
Sinjin straightened, dropping the grin. “Off? What the hell are you talking about?”
“Sin, think about it. From the first time we met her, there’s been something not quite right about Adeline Redgrave. You said it yourself. She’s in the hands of four men she just saw commit murder, and she didn’t crack even to plead for her life.”
“And?”
“And,” I ground out. “That’s not normal. Neither is the fact she never tried to escape. Anyone else would’ve left your ass bleeding on the concrete, taken your truck, and gotten out of the city. She didn’t try running for the door when we opened it. She didn’t smash the windows for a prison break. She has always been exactly where she wanted to be. Why?”
“She hasn’t been where she wanted, she’s been with who she wanted,” Sinjin stated. “Redgrave belongs with me. She’s known that from the start, and wisely stopped fighting it shortly after.”
I tossed my head roughly. “Sinjin, think about Angelo. Her version of events never quite added up—”
“That’s enough.”
“Dammit! Listen,” I bellowed. “Stop thinking with your dick for once in your life. She’s been lying to us!”
Sinjin flashed out.
I blocked the strike at my neck, twisting his arm, and shoving him down on the couch. I breathed hard against the knife tip digging in my side.
“You make some good points, brother.” That I was in a position to snap his arm, and him to perforate my liver, didn’t leech his calm. “But I know exactly who Adeline Redgrave is. Whatever trust issues you’ve got, work them out yourself.”
“It’s been you and me long before it was you and her. It’s me you should trust.”
He laughed. “It’s not my trust you’re questioning. By work it out, I mean both of you settle your shit. I haven’t done this girlfriend thing in over a decade. I’m not the one to be your couples counselor.”
“Fuck off.” I threw him off, rocking back in my seat. “Remember this, Sinjin,” I said as he walked out. “Remember I fucking warned you.”
He spun, saluted me, and disappeared down the hall.
It was just as well he told me to handle it myself. I didn’t need him getting in the way.
ADELINE
Brutal and I lounged on his bed. He rested his head on my lap, reading a book from the green section of the shelves. I fought the urge to run my fingers through his hair. He would not thank me for it. But the memory of his soft strands teased me, recalling sudsy shower memories.
I finger-walked across my thighs, sinking in the minty fields of silk.
Brutal caught my hand and laid it over his chest, covering it in a move both warm and ensuring it behaved.
Cash stepped inside. “Adeline, I need to talk to you.”
“Okay. What’s up?”
“Outside.”
With reluctance, I untangled myself from Baris and met Cash out in the living room.
“Everything okay?” I asked. “Did you hear from La Roche?”
It had been three days since the Merchants handed him Sebastian Vega on a platter. Was planning blackmail as tricky to arrange as a wedding? Did it need this much lead time?
“No, actually,” Cash said. “Not a word. I’m not surprised though. Richard isn’t one to act hastily. If I know him, he’ll put his considerable resources toward confirming what the ring and pictures told him. Guarantee he has Vega backward and forward.”
“Fair enough.” I slinked my arms around him. “Then, what were you hoping to get out of me?”
Cash cracked a smile. “What you said the other night—how we don’t go out together unless it’s business. It’s not true. That night on the roof wasn’t business.”
“True,” I said, dropping my chin on his chest.
“Tonight won’t be either.”
Cash cupped the back of my neck the way I loved.
“No games. No masks. I’m taking you on a real date, Redgrave, with dinner and flowers and shit.”
“Are you serious?” My smile split my face. “But what about Kieran?”
“La Roche hasn’t made the deal yet. He hasn’t had reason to put me back on his radar. Just in case, we’ll avoid the usual places. Dinner at a restaurant in Leighbridge, booked under another name. A movie, then we’ll spend the night in a hotel.”
“Sounds perfect, baby. I can’t wait.”
He kissed me.
“I’m swinging by Gianna’s place today to feed her, and help with the packing. Mind picking me up there?”
“Don’t mind at all. Seven o’clock.”
“Seven.”
We kissed again—thorough and mind-scrambling till I tugged on his belt. Cash scooped me laughing in his arms, carrying me to bed.
“SO, YOU’RE JUST WAITING?” Gianna attacked the box with a tape gun. “Three days and not a word from him?”
“Nothing.”
I was in the kitchen, packing away her meager kitchen supplies. I was the cook in this family.
“Doesn’t that concern you? La Roche got what he wanted twice over. His enemy in his pocket, and the Kings on his hook. He doesn’t need the Merchants, they need him. He might’ve remembered that.”
“It’s possible,” I admitted. “If three days turns into three months, then yes, screw you is likely our answer. But Killian knows La Roche better than all of us. He doesn’t seem worried.”
“Not if he’s taking you out for a night of fun.” She waved the tape gun at me. “Never thought I’d be jealous of your sex life.”
“Because it was practically nonexistent before I met the Merchants.”
“Enough about guys.” Enough with packing too since she threw down the tape. “Time for girl talk. We’ve got the money. We’re in the process of upgrading the digs and equipment. It’s time for the crew. I’ve approached the victims of the Dock Slasher—don’t know what else to call him—and made an offer. A dozen said yes. The others are thinking about it.”
“Gianna, you’re amazing.” I hugged her. “Who else?”
“You know Josephine,” she said. “The owner of From Scratch who you had suspicions about. I figured she’d be a warm lead since you two are tight. I had her followed to a club in Leighbridge. She’s a promotor for the underground fights, Addy. And she’s got bodies in the ring. She covers their losses if they lose, and takes a cut of the win. Plus, they’re trained for free in her husband’s gym. It’s a sweet deal that nearly every fighter who isn’t managed by the Kings has taken her up on. That’s how she affords to serve caviar soup at five dollars a bowl.”
I whistled. “And Daddy mourns the state of modern criminals. If you ask me, they’re more ingenious than ever. Did you work out a deal with her?”
Shaking her hand, Gianna took over packing away the pans. “She remembers me from the times we ate at the restaurant together, but it’s you she knows. She wants you to make the approach, and then she’ll consider what we have to say.”
“I respect her caution,” I replied. “I’ll swing by the restaurant tomorrow. Anything else?”
“We don’t have much money left over, but there’s another issue we’ve been going back and forth on. One that Tara
Duncan made real in a big way.”
“I know,” I cut in. “That one is on me. Actually, I’ve already started on it. It won’t be a problem by the end of the week.”
“Good. Now we can finally move on.”
“Finally,” I agreed.
I glanced at her clock. “I’ve got to start getting ready in an hour. Tell me what else you need packed up.”
“Suitcases are on the bed. Strip the hangers, please. Please, please, please.” She chased me to her room.
“All right,” I cried, laughing. “My labor is at your disposal.”
“Love you.”
We finished up as much as we could together. An hour in, I broke off for the shower, freshening up, doing my hair, and changing into a pink chiffon wrap dress. Killian said we were eating at a restaurant in Leighbridge. I anticipated swanky.
I put on a pair of gold drop earrings and paired them with a slim, gold watch I borrowed from Gianna. The pink peep-toe stilettos were all mine.
“Addy,” Gianna called. “He’s here.”
One last twirl in the mirror and I was ready. I went out to Killian standing on the threshold, holding a bouquet of red roses and snapdragons.
“Wow,” he breathed.
“Hello to you too.” I cradled the flowers to my chest. “Killian, they’re beautiful. I can’t believe you really got me roses.”
“Your surprise is evidence of my shortcomings in the romance department.”
“You made up for it in other departments.” I rose as he bent, indulging a lingering kiss.
Someone cleared their throat. “Let me put those flowers in water, Addy,” Gianna said, taking them off me. “You kids have fun.”
“Thanks, G. I’ll be back to help you with the rest of this tomorrow.”
She waved that away. “Nah. The boyfriend takes over from here. He rented us a van. We’ll have it all moved in the next couple of days.”
“Can’t wait to see it.” Killian put his arm around me, leading me out. “Bye.”
He pulled ahead of me on the sidewalk, sweeping open my door like a proper gentleman. “Why thank you.” He rounded to his side. “Where are we going?”