Fighting Dirty

by Sidney Halston

  Enzo wanted to punch the smug officer. “I was wrong,” he said instead, his palms on the desk, leaning toward O’Neill. “I want the arrests stopped.”

  “Oh, relax, I’ll get her out. Don’t you want her to sweat a little? Maybe she’ll learn her lesson.”

  Enzo’s response was an involuntary snarl he didn’t even know he was capable of making.

  The officer gave an ugly laugh as he planted his feet back on the floor. “But I’m not stopping. That area needs to be cleaned out. Smith, get Calhoun processed and released,” he called to another officer.

  Enzo grunted, and the noise made O’Neil take notice. “Never mind,” he called back. “Just release her and hand me her file.” He leaned toward Enzo and whispered, “I’ll destroy her papers.”

  Enzo nodded as he walked away from O’Neill and toward the jail cell. He knew he wasn’t supposed to be there, but he dared anyone to say otherwise. He was incensed. The problem was that all the anger was directed at himself. This was all his fault. The police were only doing their job. For years that area had been a slum and no one gave a shit about the goings-on, not until he came in, waved his money and power around, and pointed all eyes to that area. Now, it was like a snowball that was out of control, and once Jamie Lynn found out about his involvement, he’d lose her forever. And damn if his heart hadn’t started to palpitate when he saw her behind those bars. She’d looked small and scared, and every single protective instinct he had, and even some he didn’t even know he had, made him want to break down the door and carry her out and never let her go.

  To top it off, he was also upset she hadn’t called him. They’d spent four days together. He might not have a claim on her, but surely they were at least friends. And she knew he was a friend with lots of money and connections. Her well-meaning brother would’ve had to wait until morning for her to go through arraignment before he could have her bailed out.

  “Hi,” she said as soon as she walked out of the cell, her head and shoulders bowed.

  He grabbed her by the belt loops on her paint-stained jeans and pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her. Once she melted into him, he let out a breath.

  “Let’s go home, baby,” he said, and she nodded into his chest. With her tucked in at his side, they walked out, and it took a lot of restraint for him not to growl at Travis when he pulled his sister to him and hugged her. He didn’t want her away from him even for a second.

  “You okay? What the hell were you doing in the Design District in the middle of the night?” Travis asked.

  “I’m fine, Trav.” She ignored the second part of the question. “Just tired.”

  “Jam—”

  Enzo cut him off. “Why don’t we discuss this all tomorrow?”

  Jamie Lynn looked up at Enzo. “What did you tell them? Do I have to come back tomorrow for the arraignment?”

  “No, sweetheart.” He pulled her toward him again, aware that Travis was eyeing him, but done with caring what Travis thought. What anyone thought. Jamie Lynn was his. Period. “Don’t worry about a thing.”

  She nodded, but Enzo knew her well enough to understand that as soon as she was back to her normal feisty self, she’d start asking all sorts of questions. Questions he wasn’t sure how he’d answer.

  —

  The three of them climbed into Travis’s old pickup, and when Travis pulled up in front of Enzo’s house, Enzo jumped out and went to take Jamie Lynn’s hand. But she pulled it away. “Thank you for coming today. For doing whatever it is that you did.” She leaned into him and gave him a soft but swift touch of her lips against his. “I’m going to stay at Travis’s house. We’ll talk tomorrow, ’kay?”

  He wanted to argue with her, but she looked so defeated and tired, and the guilt was eating him up. “Yeah, okay,” he said. “Call me tomorrow, sweetheart.” He closed the door of the truck and they drove away.

  Chapter 13

  She barely remembered getting to Travis’s house or how she ended up in bed. It was now the next day, and her head throbbed as if she’d had a wild, drunken night. She walked out of Travis’s room and saw that he was still asleep on the couch. She reached for her phone and saw it was one in the afternoon. She was about to panic about missing work but saw she had a text from Patsy.

  Don’t worry about coming in today. Penny’s covering for you. Take care of yourself, honey.

  Because Tarpon Springs was such a small place, she wasn’t exactly surprised that Patsy already knew the gossip. There was also a message from her mother, but she wasn’t awake enough to deal with Rita, although the message was surprisingly coherent. She set the phone aside and went to get ready to tackle the day.

  JL was sitting in the kitchen of Travis’s apartment nursing a cup of coffee when Travis came in, took it from her hand, and began drinking. “You want to talk about it?” he asked.

  “Not particularly.”

  “You do know I wasn’t really asking, right? What’s going on, JL?”

  “You know the Walls?”

  “Of course, everyone does. That’s where all the kids go to smoke weed.”

  “Not going to ask how you know that,” she said. “It’s also full of those big painted murals.”

  “Yeah, I know. I love the one of Yoda getting it on with Chewbacca.”

  “You would.” She rolled her eyes. “There’s also some great ones. Ones that look lifelike and professional.”

  “Have you seen Yoda’s face? He’s clearly enjoying himself.”

  She snorted a laugh. She knew he was trying to lighten the mood and make her feel better. “Seriously, though, there’s some great art there.”

  “I know, sis. I was just pulling your leg. So, what about the Walls?”

  “I paint there. Have been for about a year. But there are two cops who seem to make it their life’s mission to arrest us.”

  “This is the second time I’ve heard about you doing art stuff. Why didn’t you tell me about that, JL?”

  She shrugged. “Not sure.”

  “You could’ve told me, you know?” Travis said, looking hurt.

  “Wasn’t sure if I was any good.”

  “Doesn’t matter, JL. Even if you’re terrible, we don’t keep shit from each other. You’re my twin sister.”

  “I know.” Her eyes watered. “I’m sorry.”

  “You need to get that woman’s voice out of your head.”

  “That woman? Mama, you mean?”

  “Yes. She put us down all the time. I know it was worse with you but you have to let that shit go. I have.”

  “Really?” she said sarcastically. “I’ve never seen you with the same woman twice.”

  “That doesn’t mean that I have issues. That just means I’m a man.”

  “You’re in denial,” JL said. “The art thing, it wasn’t a big deal. I didn’t intentionally hide it from you.”

  “How about you and Enzo? What’s the deal there?”

  She stood and paced around the kitchen for a few moments. “Don’t know.”

  “Never seen you so jittery before, darlin’.”

  “I’m not jittery. I’m—”

  “Insecure,” he said, standing and placing his hands on her shoulders.

  She scoffed and brushed his hands off her. “No way.” She continued to pace. “I mean, it’s not a matter of insecurities; it’s a matter of compatibility. He’s a white-picket-fence-and-a-houseful-of-kids kind of guy, and I’m a bartender at a local dive.”

  “That’s ’cause you want to work there, JL. You can get a job somewhere else. Shit, you can go to school if you want to. Personally, the thought of having kids gives me hives, but I never pictured your life without kids and a husband and, hell, a white picket fence. You deserve that. It’s who you are. You always took care of me when we were little.” When she didn’t say anything, he continued. “Grew up right there next to you, darlin’. I know how it felt and how others looked at us when we had holes in our clothes and no lunch money. But we’re not kids any
more. You’ve got to let that shit go. You have a job and friends, and you are good enough for him. If anything, he’s not good enough for you.”

  Her eyes teared and she wrapped her arms around her brother and laid her head against his chest. “How’d you get so smart?”

  “I am the smarter older twin.”

  “By, like, a minute.” She playfully smacked his chest and laughed. “I’m going to call Enzo.”

  “Good idea. Make sure he knows that if he hurts you, I’ll kill him.”

  “Bless your heart, you really think you can take him on,” she said with a laugh.

  His eyes bulged. “You did not just say that to me. I can kick his ass ten ways to Sunday.”

  She took the cup from his hand and started washing it. “Since we’re sharing today, what’s up with you and Penny?”

  He sighed. “That woman is impossible. Been trying to go out with her for months. Won’t give me the time of day.”

  “She doesn’t date,” JL said.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’ve tried to set her up, and she said she doesn’t date. I think there’s something going on with her. She’s been missing work and coming in late. She’s mysterious and secretive.”

  Travis seemed to ponder all that as JL did the dishes.

  “Still, she seems nice enough. Maybe you should keep tryin’,” JL said as she walked back into the room and pulled out her phone.

  An hour later she was sitting next to Enzo on her sofa. “Why didn’t you call me?” Enzo asked.

  “Why would I? I’ve been alone a long time.”

  “That’s bullshit and you know it. You didn’t call me because you weren’t sure where we stood.”

  “I don’t need a Prince Charming to come save me.”

  “Sure ’bout that? Seems like that’s exactly what you needed.” His tone didn’t match his statement.

  “Thank you, Enzo. Really, I can’t thank you enough. You were a lifesaver last night. I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I’m not trying to be a bitch. It’s just that if you weren’t there, I’d have gotten by.”

  “Why do you just want to get by? I never claimed to be Prince Charming or a knight in shining armor, Jamie Lynn. I am, however, a man with a lot of resources, and I want to use my resources to help make my woman’s life easier.”

  “Your woman? It’s not as if you called me at all yesterday.” She exhaled loudly. “You’re right, I wasn’t sure where we stood.”

  “I thought the same thing. I kept waiting for your call.”

  “I kept waiting for yours.”

  “I don’t play games, JL. I’m not some kid. If you wanted to talk, you pick up the phone and call me.”

  She let out a loud snort. “Pot calling the kettle black, don’t you think?”

  “It’s different. You’re skittish, and I didn’t want to scare you away. If it was up to me I’d pack your bags and move you in. Don’t forget I was in a relationship with the same woman for most of my adult life. I haven’t done this dating thing before. It’s new to me and I’m somewhat set in my ways. I can be possessive and protective, and I don’t want to scare you off, but at the same time I don’t know how to keep you.”

  She looked up and smiled sweetly. “I want you to keep me too,” she admitted. “I’m sorry I didn’t call you. I know I have to work on not letting my pride get in the way. Let’s just agree to not be dumb in the future and to be clear about our intentions, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  “So, what now? I mean, we had great sex and—”

  He reached forward and took her hand in his. “Jamie Lynn, it wasn’t just great sex and you know it. I don’t want to keep you around just for the sex.”

  “Okay. Fine, it was more than great sex. I had a really good time with you, Enzo. I think I’m in major like with you.” She said it with a snarky laugh, and he wasn’t sure whether she was teasing him or not. Hell, he was already in complete and utter like with her and it had only been less than a week. The way he was feeling scared him. He’d never expected to come to Florida and start a real relationship. He hadn’t even been sure if he wanted one after his disastrous marriage.

  “No more being stupid, then. We’re up front. No games.”

  “No games,” she agreed. “We’re really doing this, then?”

  “We are,” he said with a big, loopy grin.

  “So you’re like, what? My boyfriend?”

  He rolled his eyes, feigning annoyance. “I suppose if it gets me all the great sex, why not?”

  She playfully shoved him and then cuddled close. “I like being close to you.”

  “I know,” he said, pulling her on top of him. “I like it too, sweetheart.” He kissed the top of her head. “I like that you’re softer with me.”

  JL looked up at him, her brows drawn together, so he clarified. “You can be quite scary. I think Cain’s terrified of you, and he’s a mercenary and an Army Ranger. You seem to have your life perfectly figured out when the rest of us are still trying to get our shit together. You’re funny and outspoken, you make everyone feel at ease, and you’re so confident. Damn, baby, you are so confident and self-assured. You’re like no one I’ve ever met before. You have a potty mouth, and we’ve had sex outside—more than once—without batting an eye. But then you tell me you like me and that this thing between us feels big, and you tell me this looking up at me through your eyelashes shyly. I think I’m the only one who’s seen this side of you, and I have to tell you, sweetheart, I like it. I like knowing that it’s me who can get you to put your guard down. That makes you at ease enough to get all soft and sweet.”

  Her eyes were wet and her lips quivered for a second before she looked away. “You think you’ve got me all figured out, don’t you, Pretty Boy?”

  “I know I do.” He caressed her cheek. “You’re an insomniac who’s afraid of the dark, of heights, of bugs.”

  She groaned into his chest, and he chuckled.

  “I’ve known Violet for years and she doesn’t know this,” she admitted. “Well, she knows about the bugs.”

  “You’ve slept well since we’ve been sleeping together, though,” he said proudly.

  “Yeah, I have.”

  “You feel safe with me.” It wasn’t a question. “I’m glad. I want you to feel safe with me. I want to protect you, possess you, take away your fears. I want you to call me when you get arrested.” She laughed into his chest. “I don’t want you to leave, Jamie Lynn. I want this date not to end. At least not for a while.”

  “I’ve never had somebody.”

  “Somebody?”

  “Yeah, like a person who wants to be there for me like that. Violet’s the closest thing to that I’ve had, but she’s had her own issues in her life, and I never wanted to burden her with anything. And of course Travis is great, but he’s usually an oblivious boy.”

  “Now you have somebody, then.”

  “And you do too,” she said into his chest. “I mean, you probably have a team of somebodies at your beck and call, but if they all call in sick one day, you’ve got me.” Neither spoke for some time after that, and eventually she pushed away a little, far enough to look up at him. “We should totally get matching tattoos. I’m thinking on our forearms. The cutesy corny kind that when we put our arms together they make one cheesy design.” He looked down at her, horrified, and she couldn’t help but laugh. “I was totally kidding, Enzo.”

  “Is that a turn-on for you? Tattoos? Do you find that attractive in a man?”

  She shrugged. “I have dated men with tattoos and men without. Means nothing. Unless they have a Tasmanian devil on their chest or something. Then no—that would be a total deal breaker.”

  “Good. Because I don’t think it’s something I’d do.”

  “I know, and I don’t care. In fact, I don’t think I’d like one on you. You’re too pretty and flawless for one.”

  “I’m far from flawless.”

  “Haven’t really seen any flaws yet,
Enzo,” she said softly.

  “You trust me, Jamie Lynn?”

  “Yes,” she said with certainty.

  “I’m going to make love to you,” he said, surprising her when he stood up with her in his arms, making her yelp. “Shh. I got you, baby.”

  JL was surprised by the sincerity in Enzo’s voice and manner. It was as if something had suddenly clicked and there was a noticeable change in him. He gently laid her on the bed and slowly reached to pull off his white polo shirt, placing it neatly over a chair. Then he sat on the bed and took off his shoes and his socks, tucking the socks in his shoes and putting them by the side of the bed. He unbuttoned his jeans and slid them off, folded them, and set them on the chair. Everything was methodical and much more in line with the Enzo she’d met a year ago rather than the one who she’d been sleeping with. Looking at him standing there in front of her almost naked, the soft wisps of hair over well-defined ab muscles and miles of tanned skin, made her breathless. His corded forearms bulged as he slid off his white boxer briefs. She sucked in a breath and let her head hit the pillow as he met her eyes. It was too much. He was too beautiful, too perfect, too untarnished, too classy, too—

  “Stop thinking,” he said as he knelt on the bed and began to unfasten the laces on her lime-green Converses. “You take control of sex most of the time. Not that I’m complaining. But today I’m going to show you how I have sex.” His voice was hoarse as he concentrated on his task. She couldn’t imagine how things would be any different—or any better, for that matter. Damn, she wasn’t even sure if she could handle better sex. As it was, it was phenomenal.

  His eyes skimmed her body, causing her face to warm and her heart to race. If there was ever a day she’d have wanted to be in her fishnets, heels, and push-up bra, it was today. She didn’t even have lip gloss on. He tucked her socks into her shoes and put them aside, just as he’d done with his own. She’d have toed off her shoes, flung them aside, gotten naked, and rushed to the sex part. She was impulsive and fast, while he was slow and methodical, and even though she’d have thought this would have been dull, it was having quite the opposite effect. He carefully undid the button of her cutoff shorts and slowly unzipped them, tapped her thigh for her to lift up a little, and then slowly—agonizingly slowly—slipped the shorts down her legs, his eyes staying on hers the whole time. He folded her shorts and placed them on top of his. Then he slid his warm palms up her torso and her braless breasts, taking the shirt with him. She lifted her arms and he finished removing it. Again he set it aside carefully.