Concealment (The Cassano Series Book 1)

by Scarlet Wolfe

  My lips barely press to hers, and I hold them there. I do have self-control when I care to, so I let her go.

  “Kruse will bring you up to my penthouse tomorrow night after your shift. If you leave the hotel instead, then I’ll show up here. Take your pick.”

  Reluctantly removing my body from hers, I stroll around to the driver’s side. She shakes her head before stepping away from my car.

  “You’re presumptuous.”

  “I found something I want. That’s a rarity. Goodnight, Victoria, and thank you for another enlightening day.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Victoria

  “Coffee, ASAP,” I say.

  “Good morning.” Reggie frowns at me once I shut the car door.

  “Sorry, good morning.”

  “You’re dressed differently for work,” he adds after looking me up and down.

  The black heels I’m holding get tossed to the floorboard. There is a pair of knee-high stockings shoved in one of them.

  “I have a lunch date, remember?”

  “Oh, yeah, the spa day.” Rolling his eyes, he pulls onto the road. He’s right about my attire today. I’m in the nicest pair of jeans I own and a purple blouse, which hugs my waist.

  It has short sleeves that puff a little at my shoulders. There is a tiny button on each of them. Definitely a more feminine outfit for my day job.

  It’s actually kind of nice not to look like one of the guys. “It’s not a spa day,” I say with a shrug, “and it’s only for an hour. I think you can live without me that long.”

  “Speaking of whether or not someone can live without seeing you, you better call Cicely. I ran into her at Stopper’s, and she said she’s barely heard from you in the last week.”

  Shit, Cicely. She’s my best friend besides Reggie. Since I’ve been working two jobs, I haven’t called her once. I’ve barely even replied to her texts.

  “I’ll give her a call today.”

  “Better not let her hear about your new girlfriend. She’ll get jealous.” He chuckles.

  “Tara’s not my girlfriend. I’m beginning to think it’s pointless to see her or work at Submission.”

  “What makes you think that?”

  “It’s a feeling I have.”

  I sense his eyes on me, but I won’t dare look. He reads me about as well as I read him, and he would lose his ever-loving-mind if he knew what was happening between Adrian and me.

  “I’d be thrilled to see you leave there.”

  “I think I should give it longer. I’m just saying my gut isn’t guiding me toward anything yet.”

  I didn’t say “anyone” since that would be a big fat lie. Once inside the station, I see a few of the guys take a second glance at me.

  Every one of them who is single has asked me out, and every one of them have been told no.

  My loose waves are even down today, and I have makeup on, which seldom happens, but at Submission, I have to look the part.

  Tara would order a makeover and shopping spree next if I turned up in front of her the way I typically present myself.

  “Bishop wants to see you, Victoria,” Tucker says when I reach my desk.

  I glare at him. “Why? Did you tell him about my extra-curricular activities?” I’m still pissed Reggie told him what I’m doing.

  I glance at Reg next and scowl, but he’s already burying his head in his computer, knowing better than to look my direction.

  “No, I didn’t tell him, and I’m not going to, so stop being pissed at me for simply knowing.”

  Tucker glares back, his blue eyes narrowed, and I guess he does have a point. Reggie is the one who blabbed.

  “You’re right.” I set my bag on the desk, and as I head toward the sergeant’s office, I ruffle Tucker’s perfectly placed blonde hair with my hand. “I’ll remove you from my shitlist.”

  Ducking his head, he brings his hand up at the same time to swat at me. “Hey, now, watch the hair.”

  I snicker. The guy spends more time on his two inch strands in one day than I do in a week.

  He’s another guy who wants in my pants, and it’s not happening. Tucker is attractive, but he’s spoiled and a whiner. He claims he gets his immense amount of disposable funds from his parents.

  I don’t have much respect for him since he flaunts it like he’s earned it, using it to pick up women on the weekends. He also drives a different sports car every year.

  The only plus is he’s always paying our bar tab. Of course, it’s so he can appear cool. OK, the fact that he’s a whiner is the primary reason I won’t go out with him. That is not an attractive attribute.

  “Good morning, Sarge,” I say as I tap on the doorframe to his office. He takes a glimpse at me before his eyes fall right back onto the morning paper.

  “Victoria, come in and close the door.” I do as he orders and take a chair in front of his desk. “I need you and Reggie to interview some witnesses to an assault on a stripper.”

  My boss, Bishop, is still staring at the newspaper. With his head held over, I see the grey woven in his dark hair, giving it more of a salt-n-pepper appearance. I don’t respond, so he finally looks up.

  “I’m guessing this is tied into narcotics? And why are you telling me this in private?”

  “Do you honestly need to ask me that?”

  I roll my eyes. “No, sir.”

  “I mean it, Victoria. No bulldozing the witnesses. No one is ever going to tell us shit if you’re threatening to haul them off to jail.

  “I had grounds—”

  “Stop,” he interjects, holding his hand up in front of him.

  “Don’t even try to justify your past behavior. You pull that damn gun on an innocent person again, and probation will not be an option on the table. Understood?”

  Sighing, I stand. “Yes, sir.”

  “Good, now bring Reggie in here, so I can fill you two in on this case.”

  As I lean out of his office to call for Reg, I hear Sarge mumble something about my eager hands and behavior.

  I do have eager hands, and I like the sound of “eager behavior” over “offhand” or “impulsive.”

  Right on, Sarge. I’m using that word from now on. It sounds more justifiable, like I’m trying to be helpful. Eager.

  “Reg, get your ass in here!” I turn back and take my seat again. Bishop blows out a breath of aggravation, so I grin at him. He loves me whether he wants to admit it or not.

  I get shit done. My reckless behavior solves cases–I mean eager behavior.

  The boss man seldom sleeps, so he’s a grump most of the time. He once confided in me that he suffers from severe insomnia.

  His eyes also chronically water, so the outer corners of his grey pools have a touch of white crust to them.

  Once, when I recommended he see a doctor for both conditions, he threatened to make Flatulence Frank my partner. Frank can clear a crime scene in seconds. He’s another cop who needs to see a doctor.

  “Morning, Sarge,” Reggie says.

  “Morning.” After my partner takes the seat next to me, Bishop drags his hands down his face and picks up his cup of coffee. He takes a sip, and I’m sensing he’s stalling.

  “OK, what do you not want us knowing but have no choice than to tell us?” I ask.

  “Alright, uh, it’s about Commissioner Sanders. There is suspicion that his son, Noah, is dealing.”

  My eyes widen. “Shaw Sanders? As in the Commissioner who oversees our county police force?”

  “Noah is supposedly more arrogant than Shaw. He’s a senior in college, and from what I’ve heard over the years, he’s a bad seed.

  “His father has bailed him out of every ounce of trouble he’s almost been in. Meaning, he makes it disappear before you would even hear about it.”

  “Wow, so, what are we looking for?” Reg asks.

  “The guy is not playing around with petty crime anymore. He’s moved up the ladder, supposedly second in ranking to John Ferrera.”

&nb
sp; I fall back into my chair and grip the arm rests. “John Ferrera who took over for Anthony Gomez when he went to prison?”

  “Exactly.”

  “This is major,” Reggie says.

  “I need you to interview a couple of dancers at the Executive Club on Industrial Rd. Noah has a weakness for strippers.

  “Word is he’s into some twisted shit and gets rough when women don’t cooperate. He finds the ones hard up for cash or drugs and pays them to do whatever he wishes. Check it out this afternoon.”

  He hands me a slip of paper with names handwritten on it and slides a photo across the desk.

  “This is Noah. A guy beat up one of the dancers at Executive after she went home with him, and I have a suspicion it could be Sanders.

  “I need you to get a description. If it matches, then we might be able to find out if he’s dealing there.”

  I take in a heavy breath. I don’t scare easily, but this has the hair standing up on my arms.

  A major drug dealer, Anthony Gomez, was taken down about four years ago. He’s serving a lengthy prison sentence.

  John Ferrera moved up, taking over for him. I was still a cop, just not in the narcotics division, so I wasn’t in on the bust.

  John has built their dealing business back up to where it was if not more extensive. How did the son of a Commissioner end up in the middle of that mess?

  “Do you believe Shaw knows about his son’s involvement?” I ask.

  “I would like to think our Commissioner has no knowledge of this. Find out if Noah put his hands on this woman or gave her drugs.”

  Bishop knows more, but he’s not going to spill it.

  ***

  “I’m so excited you came,” Tara says, emphasizing her words with a high pitch squeal. She grabs my hand and squeezes it before opening the glass door to the salon.

  Her blonde hair is down today and curly like mine. Crystal blue eyes have a genuine sparkle to them, announcing that she’s a happy, young woman.

  I imagine she still has high hopes about her future. When did I lose that enthusiasm for life? I think it happened after a few lukewarm, failed relationships and the loss of my father.

  I’m realizing after my time with Adrian that I’ve only been existing when not solving crimes.

  “Do you want color or French tips?” Tara asks.

  “Uh, I don’t know.”

  “Then let’s put a sensual color on you. Soften you up a bit. The men will definitely notice.”

  She grabs a pink with a touch of shimmer. It matches the ribbon on the skirts of our uniform. I immediately picture my nails raking down Adrian’s bare back while he’s on top of me.

  As if it’s going to clear the steamy image, I blink fast several times. “Sure, that’s a sexy color.”

  Sitting side-by-side, we each take a chair in front of a nail tech. I have no clue what to do, so the tech prompts me on how to rest my hands across a small cushion for comfort and how to put them in the dryer once she’s finished.

  “Tell me this is not your first time getting a manicure,” Tara demands.

  “Sorry, I’m a manicure virgin.”

  “Shit, girl, you’re missing out. Don’t you ever want to be pampered?”

  “I guess if you don’t know what you’re missing, you don’t long for it.”

  “I wouldn’t go that far. I don’t know what Simon has to offer, but it doesn’t stop me from longing for him. I can imagine though. He and Zev are hotties. All the Cassano men are.”

  “You’ve met Xavier, too?”

  “Yeah, he oversees the Royal lounge. I had the opportunity of filling in a couple of times when servers called in sick.

  “He happened to be there and introduced himself. He and Simon are the rougher of the four. They take zero shit from anyone.”

  “I sensed that when I met Simon.”

  “Rumor is they don’t have girlfriends, but they won’t date employees. I saw them hanging out at Hard Rock one night, and they had women with them.”

  “Hmm …”

  “Simon oversees Shannon in Elite, but he mostly runs Club D/s.”

  The nail tech tells me she’s finished, so I pay her and sit quietly, waiting for Tara.

  “Want to go shopping next?” she asks with even more enthusiasm.

  “Oh, sorry, but I have some important errands to run before work.”

  “OK, another day then.” After her tech is finished, she admires her nails and pays.

  Once we’re on the sidewalk, she gives me a tight hug. “Until we meet again tonight, sexy lady.”

  “Sure, I can’t wait to see how my nails match my nighty.” I giggle, and what the hell is happening to me?

  Reggie had let me borrow his vehicle to meet Tara, so I drive back to the station to pick him up.

  I admire my nails … several times actually and almost rear end what looks like a brand new Lexus. Damn, I’m turning into my sister, Nicole.

  She’s overly feminine, and I’m certain she knows her way around a nail salon. Maybe I should go with her sometime. I imagine it would make her happy.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Adrian

  My phone rings for the fourth time when I finally give up on sleep. After leaving Victoria last night, I was wound too tightly to go to my penthouse.

  I ended up in the office, working until one this morning, and by the time I went to bed, it was three a.m.

  I was going to sleep until noon, but no one will leave me the hell alone, so I slam my hand down on the alarm that would’ve went off in a couple of hours.

  After taking a piss, I step into the shower. My dick is wide awake this morning as thoughts of Victoria still linger.

  I set the nozzle to a light spray, and the sensation of the water hitting my cock has it hardening even more.

  My balls have ached since my erection was shoved against her last night. I’ve never wanted to bury myself in a woman so badly.

  Other than my determination to fuck her, I have no idea what I’m going to do with Victoria. I like her, and that’s a problem.

  My original plan was to keep an eye on her until she gave up on finding any wrong doing at the casino and quit her job.

  Once I met her and realized how hot she was, I wanted to have some fun with her before she quit. Now, I feel like I know her.

  She’s smart, tough and sexy as hell. Victoria is not a phony and full of silicone like most of the women I encounter in Sin City. She’s gorgeous, her body curvy yet tight.

  She smells sweet like a bouquet of flowers yet possesses an untamed passion she wants freed. I have felt it every time I’ve touched her.

  The wild current radiates from her skin. She wants to let loose, and I’m more than willing to help her do that.

  Imagining my mouth grazing down her neck and chest, I take hold of my shaft with my soaped up hand and stroke.

  I feel the outline of my throbbing vein as I firmly and slowly stir up the burning tension in my balls.

  With fingers fisted, I increase my speed as desire for Victoria drives my movement. I envision my straining cock sliding in and out of her tight pussy while she moans, my name heard amongst her panting breaths.

  The sight of her head thrown back, pelvis arching, allowing me to bury deeper has hot cum spurting in my hand.

  My free palm presses against the ceramic tile next to me in the shower as the pleasure charges through my body.

  I know the relief I feel will be temporary since every fantasy of touching Victoria adds to my tank of fueled lust.

  Having her beneath me, my dick tightly sheathed inside her is the only way I will feel satisfied. I’m hopeful I’ll be able to move on after that.

  Victoria

  Reggie and I are riding to The Executive Club when my phone vibrates, so I pull it from my pocket.

  Adrian: You and me–tonight. Don’t make me come looking for you, or I’m fucking you on the hood of my car.

  Me: How did you get my number, and is that a threat?

/>   Adrian: Human Resources, and it’s a fact, Ms. Stuart. My penthouse or the hood of the Vanquish. I’ll let you pick the setting.

  Me: You’re brazen.

  Adrian: And I’m certain you like it. No more cat and mouse. Be prepared for me to touch you extensively.

  The butterflies take flight, and I press a hand to my stomach. Having no clue how to reply to that, I clear my throat and shove my phone back into my pocket.

  Adrian provokes a sensual, wild part of me I didn’t know existed. No other man has tried to rile it to the surface, and I must say I find it liberating. It’s also a real turn on that he is confident in the challenge.

  ***

  The club has an odd smell when Reggie and I enter. It’s cigarette smoke with an overlay of women’s perfume. The room is dim except for the bright lights spotlighting the stage that sits in the center.

  There is a woman dancing on a pole at each corner, but the one in the middle is empty. The place is fairly dead, and I’m guessing it’s because it is three in the afternoon.

  I decided to wear my heels, hoping we might blend in like a couple rather than detectives.

  Reggie has been edgy since I returned from meeting Tara, and I don’t know what his problem has been lately. I’m growing tired of his pouting.

  We approach the bar, and I discretely show the scantily dressed bartender my badge. She ignores me and goes back to drying a glass with a cloth, staring at it the entire time.

  “Can you direct me to Sonya and Rosy?” I ask. Her more than adequate breasts keep bouncing from her movement, and I try not to peek at them.

  They’re stuffed into a shiny, hot pink top that stops right below her breasts. It barely has sleeves and dips into a deep V.

  She appears to be in her early twenties, so maybe they’re real. Finally, she looks up at me again.

  “Hold on a second. I have to call someone.”

  After strolling to the other end of the long bar, she picks up a phone. I turn back to Reggie and watch him as he stares at the dancers.

  The one closest to us is swaying her hips as her hands grip the pole above her head. Her bare breasts are lifted from the pose.