Relief filled her that it wasn’t one of the guys, but the alarm didn’t fade completely. "What?"
"Yeah."
"The Legion." She spat the words like they were vile.
Cormac scowled. "Yes."
"How's Maddox?" She could only imagine how devastated and furious he must have been.
Cormac slicked back his hair. "Furious. Frustrated. Fucked."
Her lips twitched. "Nice. What's the next move?"
"There isn't one."
"What do you mean?" There had to be another move. They couldn’t just let it go.
"Mick, the lawyer we told you about? He warned us to take a step back for now. The Legion knows that we've been investigating and how far we got. Which means they'll be watching us. They've already called us to come in on Monday. Probably to give us vague threats buried in a new job. It also means they'll be watching us closely. Which could put you in danger if they notice we're spending time with you and they decide to look into you."
She pinched the bridge of her nose. "Shit."
"Right. And we swore we wouldn't let our work with the Legion put you in their crosshairs. So, when we see each other, we have to be careful. If you'd prefer for us to back off until this blows over, we'll do that too." Cormac’s hands fisted on his lap.
She sank back against the couch. "Are you worried they'll come after you guys?"
Cormac shook her head. "No. We're high profile and killing us all would call questions from those who aren't completely corrupt in the organization. Plus, they don't know how much we know. They didn't give up Wallace's name and they don't know about the key. Beckett is going to keep trying to figure out what it unlocks, but other than that we're done. We can't go anywhere near Wallace without tipping them all off. And those prisoners were killed by poison generation."
Disgust curled Ridley’s lips. "It's like they're not even trying. They're so confident in their might."
"It's a good thing. Ego like that means they'll keep making mistakes. Which means we can use them to root out the rotten bits inside."
"That's going to be a massive undertaking."
"It is. What better place than from the inside?"
"True." She nodded. It was the smart play. It just sucked.
"That's a conversation for a later date. Right now, I need to know what you want us to do. We'll understand if you want nothing to do with any of this for now."
She'd already disappeared on them once for much less valid reasons. Maddox must be reeling. She couldn't abandon him now.
"I'm not going anywhere. We just need to be careful. Are they watching your house?"
"Not that we know of. But in case they are, don't drive your own bike to our place anymore. One of us can drive you. And use your illusions to disguise yourself as someone different each time. They'll think we're bringing random women home with us. We regularly sweep our vehicles and the house for bugs and tracking devices and no one can get past Beckett's firewalls to our phones or computers, so those are safe. As are yours since he got his hands on them. I have to ask. Are you sure? I know Reese got upset last time, but he'll understand in this situation. None of us want your father to find out you're alive. Not until you're ready. If you ever are."
She swallowed past the dryness in her mouth. Finally deciding to take the leap. "I'm sure, Cormac. I told Maddox I would see this through with him. I'm done running."
"You are a confusing woman." Cormac reached for her and drew her closer. "You know Reese still smells like you?"
"He does?" Ridley's voice came out low and raspy.
"I think he stole your backup soap along with your robe which he insists on parading around in."
That insufferable brat. "He still hasn't replaced it with new ones."
"Guess you'll have to come home with me so you can steal it back."
"Guess so." Her lips curled into a sly smile.
"I'm not kissing you right now."
What? Why? "I didn't ask you to."
"I refuse to kiss you on this absolutely disgusting couch. And I don't want grease on my clothes." He wrinkled his nose.
"Prissy wanker."
"Messy bitch."
Her eyes narrowed in a glare. "Didn't you hear? Only Malia is allowed to call me that."
"Then don't call me a wanker. It's quite rude."
"Wanker."
"Stop tempting me to kiss you just to shut your foul mouth up." His mouth was so close to hers, she could feel the breath from his words.
She curled her fingernails into her palms to keep from being swept away. "Unless you plan on getting fucked into submission, you should probably let me up so I can get back to work."
He leaned closer, his voice a mere whisper. "If anyone is fucking someone into submission, it'll be you submitting to me."
"I look forward to seeing which one comes out on top." She stood and headed towards the door.
"Me too." Cormac cleared his throat. "I'm going to hang out here until you close and I'll drive you back to the house. While I'm here, think you can handle an oil change?"
She turned back to face him from a safe distance. She was way too close to jumping him. "Of course. Maybe I'll even let Beth try it out."
"Oh hell no. No one is touching her except you."
Ridley's lips quirked. "Oh yeah?"
Cormac glared at her. "Don't look at me like that. I've seen you with engines and trust you know what you're doing."
"Why don't you do it yourself? Don't want to get dirty?"
He smirked. "I prefer getting dirty in other ways."
Ridley shivered and hurried from the office before she tackled him on the couch and rubbed grease all over him. Once they got to know each other a little better and had more privacy, she was totally going to do it to him. And she was willing to bet Reese would help her. Maybe hold him down for her.
"Have a nice chat?" Malia asked.
She shook off the tendrils of desire still clinging to her. "Not really."
Malia’s face hardened. "Trouble?"
"Yep." She still couldn’t believe what a mess this had turned into.
Malia checked the door. "Beth still isn't back. Give me the cliff notes version."
Ridley filled her in on everything Cormac told her.
"Fuck." Malia spit out the word.
"Pretty much."
Chapter 33
Ridley
CORMAC'S HAND ON HER arm stopped Ridley from opening the door to their house. "Wait a second."
Ridley turned to him with a furrowed brow. "Everything okay?"
Cormac grabbed her arms and shoved her against the door. "Everything is fine."
"What are you doing?" Heat sank into her from his body so close to hers.
"Finding out who will submit." He stopped his lips a breath away from hers. "Don't drop the illusion. It's dark, but we don't want to take any chances."
"You want to kiss me even when I look like this?" Ridley had chosen a rather ugly looking form just to fuck with him.
"If anyone's watching, they'll just think I'm slumming it."
She shook her head. "So, you're shallow and only fuck hot people?"
"Of course."
What a bastard. "You're disgusting."
"You're the one about to submit to me." He was so close his scent of leather and linen made her head spin.
Absolutely not. "Never."
"We'll see."
"Yes. We will." Ridley reached behind her for the knob and turned it, waiting until Cormac leaned in farther, propping his hands against the door, and opened it, ducking out of the way as he fell inside.
Right in front of the rest of his laughing teammates in the living room. Ridley closed the door behind them and dropped the illusion.
Reese leaned against the wall, bent over, he was laughing so hard.
Cormac leapt to his feet and snarled at her. "Real cute."
She quirked a brow. "Now look who's on their knees for whom."
His lips spread in a dark smile. "You just wait, pet
."
"Keep acting like a prick, and you'll be the one waiting."
Reese swooned. "I think I'm in love."
"Do we even want to know what's going on?" Maddox asked.
"Probably not. What's for dinner?" Her stomach was rumbling. Her appetite was finally back.
"Lasagna, salad, and garlic bread with Boston creme pie for dessert."
Loads of carbs. Yum. "Trying to fatten me up?"
Beckett gazed at her with serious amber eyes. "Yes. You've lost too much weight. It's stressing us all out."
Ridley shook her head. "All right, Grandma."
Beckett shrugged. "I need to put the finishing touches on dinner. Reese, help Cormac with the drinks."
Ridley snorted as they left her alone with Maddox. "They aren't exactly spy material, are they?"
"Not even a little." Maddox chuckled.
"I take it you need to talk to me?"
Maddox shook his head. "Not exactly. I just wanted to take a moment to thank you. You found my brother's killer."
"I'm sorry he's still free." It must be killing him. Getting so close. Finding answers. And then being forced to stand down.
Cormac had gotten the call while he waited for Ridley to close up that Wallace was being transferred to Texas.
The Legion was serious about covering their tracks.
Frustration tightened Maddox’s lips, but he sucked in a deep breath and let it out. "We'll get him eventually. Even with him in Texas. But I will never forget what you've done for me. What you've given me."
All she had done was a little research. Okay, a lot of research. "I know what it's like to need answers and closure."
"And you help everyone but yourself find it."
She shrugged. "It's enough for me right now. Maybe one day, I'll need it for myself. But for now, this is the way I fight."
"You inspire me. Your strength, your brilliance, your tenacity. I am so glad I arrested you."
Ridley laughed, glad the awkward romantic words were over. "I never thought I'd say this, but I'm glad you did too."
"I'm worried for you. Involved with us. It’s dangerous.”
"Don't be. We'll be careful." She played with the bracelets on her wrist. "Any news on the key?"
"No. Beckett said it could take months or even longer to figure out what it goes to. We've ruled out safety deposit boxes. Right now, he's checking into lockers."
"Like the ones in train and bus stations?" She frowned.
He nodded. "Yeah."
"Smart."
Maddox sighed. "But for all we know, it's a private safe in a house somewhere."
"Beckett's smart. He'll figure it out."
"He will. But enough. Tonight is supposed to be fun. No shop talk."
"What the hell are we going to talk about if not work?"
"No idea." He picked up her bag. "But there's something I want to show you before dinner."
"What's that?"
"Come with me."
She followed him down the hallway to the room she stayed in before. "I've already seen this room."
He just smiled and pushed open the door, gesturing for her to step inside. Was he hoping to fool around a little before dinner? She wasn't against the idea, but based on the smells coming out of the kitchen, they didn't have much time.
Maddox flipped on the light and her mouth fell open as she took in the room. It was completely redecorated from the beach theme it had before. They'd exchanged it for reds and black and splashes of yellow. It was gorgeous. An art print of a beautiful red motorcycle hanged framed on the wall. A small bookshelf beside the bed had her favorite motorcycle magazines on top and the shelves were filled with books.
She took a few steps closer to inspect the titles. She recognized a lot of them. They were reverse harem novels. She shook her head with a laugh.
The shitheads. They certainly didn’t give up.
"Why the hell did you guys do this? When did you do this?"
Maddox moved closer to stand beside her. "I know you aren't going to move in with us. But we want you to have a place of your own when you are here. And we wanted it to reflect your taste. Since you refuse all help everywhere else, we figured you couldn't argue when we spent money on our own house."
"It's beautiful. Perfect."
"Of course, it is. I have excellent taste." Cormac spoke behind her.
Ridley rolled her eyes and turned to face the other guys as they crowded in the room. "You really didn't have to do this, but thank you."
Reese grinned. "It was no big deal. Don't go all soft on us now, sweetheart. We know it makes you uncomfortable."
Ridley laughed. "That is does."
"Come on,” Beckett said. “Dinner's ready."
"Are we drawing straws or playing rock, paper, scissors?" Reese bounced down the hall.
"For what?" Maddox asked.
"To decide who gets to sleep in Ridley's room tonight."
Thank you for reading, and I hoped you enjoyed continuing Ridley’s story. If you did enjoy or even if you didn't, I would really appreciate it if you left an honest review on Amazon. It helps so much in determining what to work on next.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
An expert in parkour, Helene Gadot moonlights as a Nail Polish Namer and occasional ghostwriter. She lives with her husband and trio of rugrats in the South. Helene has a serious coffee mug and throw pillow addiction, and when she isn't reading or writing, she's probably shopping online.
You can stalk her on her Facebook, join Her Kindreds group, or sign up for her newsletter.
Books by Helene Gadot:
Kindred Souls Series-
Her Assassins
Her Prince
Her Dragon
Her Bonds
Aces and Knaves Series-
Crash
Boom
Magic and Dreams Series-
Wicked Fae - August 2018
Wild Fae - coming fall 2018
GADOT ALSO WRITES URBAN Fantasy and Fairy Tale Retellings as Harley Gordon.
Boom (Aces and Knaves, #2) Page 14