Deadly Rumors

by Cheris Hodges

  “Wendy? Kill somebody? I just can’t see it.”

  “That’s why things have worked so well with her and Singletary. She’s just under the radar. We take her down and we’ll be able to get to Singletary. ’Cause I know why you’re doing this.”

  “What do you mean? I’m here to take a—”

  “Fool, I have not forgotten about Zoe Harrington, and I know you’re trying to keep her alive and get her fine ass back in your bed. Shit, I’d do it, too.”

  Carver smiled despite himself. “It’s more than about sleeping with her. I really—”

  “Don’t say it! Player, down. You’re in love with her, aren’t you? You can’t make this personal. Have you learned anything from me or nah?”

  “This is different.”

  “You’re distracted and you’re going to make mistakes.”

  “I’ve learned my lesson from that, trust me. My mission is to protect Zoe.”

  “Where does loving her fit into this?”

  “Just get me some information on Wendy Covington and Joe Singletary. I can handle the rest.”

  “I’m not giving you shit for no reason. I know if something happens to that woman like—”

  “I’m hanging up. Call me when you have something I can use.” Carver tossed his phone on the bed. Of course Ray was right. Zoe was a distraction. Could that be why he’d missed what was really going on with Wendy?

  Losing Zoe would be the straw that broke Carver’s back. She could hate him, if and when she found out about his subterfuge, but he was not going to let anyone harm her. Finding Singletary and putting him away had to happen immediately.

  Checking his watch, he wondered if Zoe was awake and if it was time to tell her the truth.

  * * *

  Down the corridor, Zoe rolled over on her back and stared up at the ceiling. Another flight with Carver, and this time they would be alone. Was she ready for this?

  “I can do this,” she muttered as she sat up in the bed. Zoe reached for her cell phone and called her brother—despite how early it was.

  “Are you bleeding? Have you been shot?” Zach’s greeting was as groggy as it was sarcastic.

  “You’re supposed to be my big brother. You’re always playing that card, so here’s your chance to live up to it.”

  “Aww shit, this is serious, huh?”

  “Zach, how did you know Chante was the one?”

  “The moment I laid eyes on her. She was different. I could tell she wasn’t interested and I knew I had my work cut out for me.”

  “That’s all it took? No wonder you and Natalie linked up.”

  “I made a mistake with her, but as you can see, I’ve made up for it. Just tell me that you’re not asking me these questions because of Banks.”

  “And if I am?”

  “What in the hell is wrong with you? How can you trust the man who arrested you on the word of a pimp?”

  “It’s complicated.”

  “No, being around him has you confused. That man isn’t worthy of you.”

  “Funny, when I told you that about a certain ex-wife of yours, you didn’t listen.”

  “And I’ve learned my lesson. Don’t make my mistakes, just finish this job for him and run in the other direction.”

  “Yeah, this was very helpful. You suck as a big brother.”

  “I’m trying to stop you from making a mistake. He’s just an arrogant FBI agent with his ass on his shoulder. That mother . . . Look, he was part of the reason why our family business suffered during the investigation into Natalie. I’m not ready to see him in my sister’s life. I already warned him.”

  “I know, one of your brightest ideas, threatening an FBI agent. I wonder about you sometimes.”

  “You’re my little sister. I had to let him know that I wasn’t about to let him hurt you.”

  “And I can take care of myself, just not my heart. I don’t want to be hurt,” she admitted.

  “That’s a part of life. Sometimes you have to risk a little hurt to find the right one. But trust me when I say, it ain’t Agent Banks.”

  Zoe sighed. “And you know this because you can see into the future?”

  “I just don’t trust him. And you obviously have reservations yourself.”

  She regretted this phone call. Her reservations about Carver were slowly melting away. “Goodbye, Zach.” She hung up before her brother could say anything else.

  Zoe pulled herself out of bed and headed for the shower. It didn’t matter what Zach said about not trusting Carver, Zoe knew something was there. It thrilled her as much as it scared her. She wanted to eat tapas with him and walk along the Potomac.

  “Why do I keep thinking about tapas? I don’t even like tapas,” she muttered as the hot water washed over her.

  After about twenty minutes in the shower, Zoe hopped out and wrapped a towel around her body. As she smoothed lotion on her body, her mind went back to the night she and Carver spent together.

  “Thank you for your help and the ride out of there.” She smiled at X, thinking if a man’s bodyguard hates him, he was in trouble.

  He stroked her cheek. “Does the night have to end? That was pretty exciting back there.”

  Zoe shivered and tried to blame her reaction on the champagne she’d had at the party. But the truth was, X was fine, and it had been a while since a man turned her on like a light switch.

  Her phone vibrated, informing her that her client had paid her fee. She had a reason to celebrate and she knew she’d never see this man again. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him—slow, deep, and wet.

  His gasp told her that she’d caught him off guard. He quickly recovered and pulled her against his hard body. She felt his arousal and was instantly wet. Zoe wrapped her leg around his waist and ground against him.

  “Damn, baby,” he moaned.

  “Let’s go inside, now.”

  X nodded as if he had the same lusty thoughts as Zoe. At that moment, she’d been seconds away from ripping his clothes off, stripping him naked, and making love to him on the side of the building. But there were way too many cameras around to even risk it. He lifted her into his arms. “I know a shortcut.”

  “Lead the way.” She buried her nose in his neck and inhaled his distinctive scent. There was nothing like a man who smelled good, and X smelled as divine as he looked. Heading into the hotel using the back staircase, she was amazed at how strong he was as he took the stairs while holding her as if she were a five-pound bag of sugar. He leaned her against the wall as he fished his room key from his pants. Zoe’s mouth watered as she saw the imprint of his arousal. Then she had a sobering thought—what if this was a part of a scheme to eliminate her and keep her client from getting what she needed to divorce her drug-dealing husband?

  “You having second thoughts?” he asked when he noticed her pause.

  “I just want you to know I’m not the kind of woman who does this on a regular basis, and if you try to hurt me, I’m going to fight back and possibly kill you.”

  He laughed, a full belly laugh. “Baby, I don’t want to hurt a hair on your pretty little head, I just want you to look me in the eye when I make you come.”

  Her breath caught in her chest as he captured her lips in a hungry kiss. She couldn’t help but wonder if he’d just gotten out of prison. X fell backward on the bed with Zoe in his arms. She mounted him and ripped his shirt open. His chest was as amazing as she imagined it would be, rippling and mouthwatering. Licking her lips, she leaned back and lifted her dress over her head.

  “Damn, you’re beautiful.”

  “You’re not so bad yourself.” She buried her lips in his neck, kissing and licking the column of his neck. She felt him shiver and felt emboldened to reach into his pants and feel his throbbing erection. X moaned as she moved her hand up and down.

  “Yes, yes,” he moaned. She unzipped his pants and slid them down his narrow waist. X kicked out of the pants and Zoe’s eyes widened at the sight of his erection—long,
thick, and ready.

  “Protection?” she asked as she cupped his hardness.

  “Shit,” he muttered, and lifted her off him. “Give me a second.” X crossed the room and pulled out an overnight bag. Zoe impatiently waited for him to find his condoms. She should’ve known that a handsome man like him would be stocked up for passion. Zoe watched as he rolled the condom in place and returned to the bed. His naked body was a work of art, sculpted and delicious. As he climbed into bed, she reached for him and wrapped her legs around his waist.

  “Give it to me.” Her wanton actions and words shocked her. But she wanted this man and she was going to have him. It wasn’t as if she’d ever see him again. He would probably end up in jail as soon as her client got her money and then turned her ex in. Part of her wanted to warn him, but as X thrust into her, thoughts of police and clients were the last thing on her mind.

  Rocking back and forth on the bed, Zoe gripped him with her thighs, pulling him closer. He filled her wetness and palmed her breasts, making her nipples rock hard beneath his touch.

  “You feel so good,” he groaned. “So good.”

  Zoe could only moan as he ground against her, touching her most sensitive spots, making her explode. He took her face in his hands. “You’re coming, aren’t you?”

  “Ye-yes,” she stuttered.

  “Look into my eyes and let me feel you come.” He thrust harder and deeper until Zoe melted against his chest.

  He lifted her chin. “I’m coming with you.”

  Zoe blinked, trying to get the memory out of her mind. The last thing she needed was to get on the plane with all of these lustful thoughts in her mind.

  She dressed quickly and decided to head to the lobby for breakfast. A good doughnut and cup of coffee would take her mind off Carver.

  Who was she fooling?

  Chapter 18

  As soon as she walked in the lobby, she locked eyes with Carver. She took a deep breath. It should be a sin for a man to look that good while drinking a cup of coffee. Carver waved her over to the table where he was sitting.

  “You can do this,” she whispered as she walked over to the coffee station and filled a cup for herself. When she saw apple fritters mixed in with the doughnuts, she knew she could focus on her favorite pastry and not Carver’s lips.

  “Good morning,” she said as she sat down.

  “It is now.” He winked at her and Zoe sighed. She took a bite of her apple fritter.

  “Is the plane ready?”

  “I called Steve and didn’t get an answer. I’m going to try him again in an hour. Looks like we’re the only people up right now.”

  Zoe took a sip of her coffee. “Glad to see that you’re up, though.”

  “Coffee’s fresher and I can think better in the quiet.”

  She shook her head and took a bite of the apple fritter.

  “Is that good?” he asked.

  Zoe nodded. “Want a bite?” She held her pastry out to him. Carver took a bite and licked the tip of her finger. Shivers ran up and down her spine.

  “It is good. Very sweet, like you.”

  She shook her head. “Here you go.”

  “I think I’ve made it really clear to you, Zoe. I want you. And I’m going to have you—as soon as you can admit you want me, too.”

  Rolling her eyes, she took a sip of her coffee. “I don’t want you.”

  “You’re so pretty when you lie.”

  “So arrogant.”

  “My fatal flaw.” He offered her a piece of his doughnut. “It’s cinnamon.”

  She accepted the treat, and when she took it into her mouth, Carver wiped her lips with his thumb. “They don’t need added sugar.”

  Zoe’s face burned and her thighs trembled with desire. She was definitely in trouble.

  * * *

  Wendy sat outside of Joe’s safe house, waiting for him to come outside to walk his annoying pit bulls. She had his schedule memorized, and he should’ve known better than to try her like this. It was going to end this morning. Right on cue, the front door opened and Joe walked out with the rowdy dogs. Gripping the handle of her gun, Wendy opened the car door.

  “Was wondering how long you were going to sit there,” Joe said as he bit down on his cigar. “You better be here with good news.”

  “I’m here for my money. I’m tired of dealing with your bullshit.”

  He shook his head and laughed. And hate bubbled in her stomach. “Your job is not complete. What the hell do I look like, paying you for services that weren’t rendered?”

  “Joe, you crossed the line! Why did you send your thugs after me? I’ve risked everything for you, and you don’t give a shit.”

  “You haven’t done the one thing I needed you to do, and that’s kill Zoe Harrington. She can still bring me down, even with Smallwood out of the picture. So, your job is not complete.”

  Wendy drew her gun and pointed it in Joe’s face. “I’m not asking again. Wire the money to my account right now, or I will blow your head off.”

  He laughed again as her finger grazed the trigger. “This is the part where I’m supposed to be scared and give you what you want? Bitch, please. You’re not pulling that trigger and I’m not giving you anything.”

  “Oh, really? Then I guess I have proved you wrong.” Just as she was about to pull the trigger, Joe let his dogs off the leash. Instantly, they attacked Wendy, knocking her backwards. Her shot went off in the air. Joe watched as the dogs mauled her to death.

  “Crazy bitch,” he muttered, then called the dogs back to him. “Good boys. That’ll teach people not to fuck with me.” He was thankful that this house was in a secluded area where no one was around to hear the chaos.

  Joe stepped over Wendy as if she were a piece of trash and continued on his walk with the dogs.

  * * *

  Carver watched Zoe as she ate another apple fritter. “Where does it go?”

  She wiped her mouth. “What?”

  “You ate half of my doughnut and two apple fritters. But looking at that body, I’m trying to figure out where the calories go.”

  “I burn them off, trust me.”

  “I could help you with that.”

  “I’m sure you think you can. What are you going to do when I call your bluff?”

  “Why don’t you just do it and . . .” The ringing of his cell phone broke into their conversation. “I have to take this.” Carver headed outside. “This is Banks.”

  “Your girl left DC,” Sarah said.

  “Where did she go?”

  “Richmond, Virginia. And according to my intel, Singletary has a so-called safe house there. The FBI hasn’t been able to obtain a warrant for the place because he doesn’t have anything going on there.”

  “But he’s wanted, so why haven’t we just gone there and snatched him up?”

  “It’s complicated. Every time we get close and we send a surveillance team, he’s never there. Wendy has to be his inside woman. I just don’t know why she’s getting so sloppy all of sudden.”

  “Maybe they’re planning something and she thinks we’re not on to her. Maybe I should call her so that you can trace her cell phone signal?”

  “And she can do the same to you. Too dangerous. You need to get out of New York and keep Zoe off the radar for as long as you can.”

  “I wish I was there to put the cuffs on that son of a bitch.”

  “You can be if you want to leave Ms. Zoe exposed or turn her over to one of your boys.”

  “Hell no. I got this, but I want to see this bastard go down.”

  “You will,” Sarah said. “Ray said you two talked about your feelings for Zoe. I think I’m a little jealous.”

  “Aww, Sarah, don’t do that.”

  “Boy, I’m just playing. But I haven’t seen you this tied up over a woman since—”

  “This is different and we’re not talking about the past, we’re dealing with the future.”

  “Whatever, man. I’m going to see what I can fin
d out about Wendy. Stay by your phone.”

  “Will do.” Glancing at his watch, Carver decided that he and Zoe needed to get up in the air as soon as possible. Walking back into the lobby, his heart thumped with fear when he didn’t see her.

  “Boo.”

  “Don’t do that, Zoe,” he said as he turned around with a relieved smile on his face.

  “Do what?”

  “Sneak up on me. You might get kissed.” He wrapped his arms around her waist. She was about to wiggle out of his embrace when Carver brought his mouth down on hers. He kissed her slow, deep, and hard. And speaking of hard, having her pressed against his body made him harder than a brick. Zoe gasped as if she felt his arousal. He wasn’t finished assaulting her mouth, savoring the taste of her tongue, and reveling in the feel of her heat against him.

  Zoe finally pushed away from him, her lips swollen from his kiss. Carver couldn’t help but smile. “I’m going to get my bags. We should get going,” she said. “And keep your lips to yourself.”

  “I told you not to sneak up on me.” Winking at her, Carver told Zoe he’d meet her in the lobby and they could head to the airstrip.

  He headed back to his room and grabbed his bag. As he walked to the lobby, he called Steve to make sure the plane was ready.

  “Why are you up so early?”

  “Because I don’t pay other people to make money for me.” Carver laughed. “Zoe and I are ready to take off and I was making sure all the proper documents were in place.”

  “You guys are good to go. Are you sure you’re not just using my plane to take this woman to Las Vegas so you can marry her?”

  “Funny. I’m not even trying to start an ex-wives’ club like you.”

  “I hear that. Well, you can’t make an omelet without cracking some eggs or marrying a couple of chickenheads.”

  “Anyway, thanks again for helping us out.”

  “No problem. Now I’m going back to bed.”

  “Later.” When Carver walked into the lobby, he saw Zoe standing at the coffee bar stirring sugar and cream into her cup.