Sugar and Sin Bundle

by Stacey Joy Netzel

  She was on fire.

  He released her mouth and smiled against her lips. “Now let’s go to your place.”

  “Hurry.” A rush of lust soaked her panties.

  Rémi shot out of the parking lot, his nostrils flaring as though he scented her arousal. For sure he could see her hard nipples through her silk blouse. When he shifted in his seat and tugged on his pants, she spotted the telltale bulge. At least she wasn’t the only one suffering.

  As they crossed into St. Xavier, Rémi’s fingers clenched on the steering wheel. “Almost there,” he said in a voice roughened by desire. She leaned her head against the seat and concentrated on not panting. Where was teleportation when you needed it?

  Her phone rang and she nearly jumped out of her skin. Fumbling in her purse, she found her cell and frowned, seeing the caller ID. It wasn’t one she knew but it was local. “Hello?”

  “Hi, this is Doug from the Couche-Tard on l’Acadie. Remember me?”

  “Of course, I remember, Doug. How are you?”

  “I saw something interesting last night. I was going to call you sooner, but I ended up in the emergency room.”

  “Are you all right?”

  “Yeah, just tripped jumping over a fence chasing the guy and knocked myself out.”

  “Whoa, let’s step back a bit. What guy?”

  “I was at work, checking out the skatepark from time to time. I see this guy who used to come here a lot. Always wears a dark hoodie. Real good with the skateboard. I’m thinking, yeah, we’ll see some good tricks tonight. Then I see him talking with the other kids and he’s handing them stuff. Some of the kids take it, some walk away. It looks suspicious, so I head over there. Turns out, the guy was handing out joints. Said he’d come back tomorrow night to find out how they liked it.”

  “Tomorrow night, that’s tonight.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Do you know the guy’s name?”

  “No, but he’s one of the Blackriver kids. I would have caught him if I hadn’t…”

  “It’s okay, Doug. You did good.”

  “Are you guys going to set up cameras or something? Catch him in the act?”

  “I’ll talk to my editor and see what he wants to do. But first, I’d like to stop by to get your story down in person. Are you at the Couche-Tard now?”

  “Yeah. My shift’s over at six. See you soon, beautiful lady.”

  She hung up the phone and turned it over in her hands. Beautiful lady. Damn! Did she have to use every person she met? Every man? She was going to tell him the truth, that she wasn’t a reporter. Hopefully, he wouldn’t mind playing ball with a cop.

  “Guess we aren’t going back to your place,” Rémi said, his voice heavy with disappointment.

  She bit back a smile. “Nope. We got a bead on the case. Looks like our boy Corey is in this mess up to his big brown eyes.”

  They needed to get to him before he ended up as dead as Andy and Ellie.

  Rémi whipped the car onto the shoulder and slammed it into park. Heart pounding, he shifted in his seat to face Alyssa. If the kid had been involved in any of the attacks on her, he was as good as dead. “What exactly is Corey mixed up in?”

  “I don’t have proof of anything yet.”

  Cold sweat beaded on his temples. “What, Alyssa? What do you think he did?”

  “An informant near the skatepark says he saw a rez kid wearing a hoodie, handing out drugs last night.”

  Fuck! He fell back against his seat and closed his eyes. “If he did this….” His fists clenched, and he punched the steering wheel. “Shit. Ellie’s body wasn’t even in the ground yet.”

  Alyssa laid a warm hand on his thigh. “I know this looks bad, but let’s not jump to conclusions. We don’t have any evidence yet.”

  Now she wants to follow the rules? He lifted his head and frowned. “You want evidence? Let’s walk through this like cops, shall we? He’s stopped coming in for counseling, and his drug use is on the rise. He’s hanging out with questionable characters who are also using. His girlfriend dies of a complication from drugs, and he disappears. No matter how you spin it, this looks worse than bad.”

  “Hold on, consider the bigger picture. Where’s he getting the drugs? He doesn’t have the resources to grow large amounts of pot by himself.”

  “So he’s working with someone. Wouldn’t surprise me if Pete was involved.” Chaz might be clean as far as drugs went, but Pete certainly wasn’t.

  She smiled. “Growing the pot is one thing; you also need to distribute it. Do you think Pete’s smart enough to mastermind an operation like this?”

  “In the end, it doesn’t matter who’s heading it up. Corey is still part of it.” If the kid was dealing.... A sour taste filled his mouth.

  Her eyes focused out the windshield, and she played with a lock of her hair, winding it around her finger. “If he is involved, it seems out of character. My guess is someone forced him.”

  “Blackmail?” In a twisted kind of way, he hoped she was right. The alternative—that Corey was willingly coercing young kids into the world of drugs—meant the boy was lost.

  She brought her gaze back to him. “Think about it. If someone knows Corey gave Ellie the joint laced with the bath salts—”

  “They could threaten to tell the cops if he doesn’t cooperate,” he finished. Her idea had merit.

  “That’s my theory.”

  Poor stupid kid. Corey should have come to him for help. “Why the disappearing act though? He’s got to know it makes him look guilty.” Rémi’s chest constricted. “He really loved Ellie. I was sure he’d show up at the cemetery.”

  She turned her head to stare out the side window, her blond hair shining in the sunlight. “He did.”

  He reached out and, with a finger under her chin, made her look at him. His throat closed and he had to push the words through. “You saw him?” When she nodded, he forced his voice to remain even. “Why didn’t you tell me? I could have talked to him.”

  She blew out, making long strands of her hair flutter. “Put yourself in his shoes. He’s terrified. Maybe thinks he killed his girlfriend. I’m there, you’re there. Martha’s there. Do you really think he would have stuck around to talk if we’d tried to approach him?”

  “Why do you always have to be right? Makes me look bad.” He gave her a lopsided grin, but inside, a shout was clawing its way up his throat. If Alyssa’s informant was right, Corey had gone from drug user to drug pusher. And without proof that he was being extorted, he’d be branded a criminal, his life ruined.

  Alyssa twisted her purse strap. “You know Corey better than me. Any ideas where he might be holed up?”

  He ran a thumb along her bottom lip. “I thought I knew him.” Letting his hand fall, he shored up his courage. He had a little confession of his own to make. “Remember the night we stayed at my place? I went out while you were sleeping.”

  “I remember. You went riding.”

  “I went to investigate the hunting shack we saw. I wanted to know who’d shot at us.”

  Interest sparked in her eyes. “And?”

  He shoved his hair off his face. “Corey was there with Pete.”

  “Doing what?”

  “Drinking beer and smoking up, mostly. Pete was jumpy though, and he had an AK-47. It seemed like they were guarding something. Maybe the Guardians are using the shack as an armory.”

  “Let’s hold off on any conclusions. Before we follow up on that, I want to show Corey’s mug shot to my informant, Doug. Can we stop by the station?”

  “No need. I’ve got a couple photos of Corey on my phone.”

  She gave him directions and minutes later, he parked in front of the Couche-Tard across from the town’s skatepark. As they got out of the car, Alyssa paused and waited for him on the sidewalk. “Before we go inside, you need to know something. I told Doug I was a reporter doing a story on drug-usage among skateboarders.”

  A smile tugged at his lips. His girl always had an angle.
“That explains the editor comment.”

  Pink colored her cheeks and she raised her chin. “I’m going to tell him the truth.”

  Taking her hand, he smoothed his thumb over her wrist. “It’s okay, sweetheart. He might not have talked to you if he’d known you were a cop.” She kissed his hand, then dropped it to do up an extra button on her blouse. He frowned, but she just smiled and headed inside.

  The store was empty except for a young twenty-something with acne scars. His face lit up when he caught sight of Alyssa. “Hey, beautiful lady. You got here quick. Your boss must be riding you hard for that story.”

  Alyssa winked at Rémi over her shoulder, and he almost choked on his own spit. She reached into her purse and pulled out her identification. “Actually, I’m Sergeant Morgan with the St. Xavier SQ. I apologize for not telling you earlier.”

  Staring at her credentials, the kid paled. He dragged his gaze up to her face and flushed a deep red. “I… uh… Sergeant. Wow. I had no idea.”

  The situation wasn’t hard to read; Alyssa must have flirted with the kid to get the information she needed. Rémi didn’t like it, but it was a tool he’d used himself, more than once.

  “A lot of people don’t like to deal with cops. But you don’t have that problem, do you Doug?”

  He shook his head like a wet dog. “No, ma’am.”

  Rémi didn’t know whether to laugh or get up in the guy’s face. Alyssa made the choice for him when she smiled and motioned him forward. Any red-blooded male would fall over himself to assist her. He and Nitro were prime examples. If a guy as unlikely as Nitro had fallen, the poor kid hadn’t stood a chance.

  “Rémi, can you show him the photo, please?”

  Pulling his phone out of his pocket, he navigated to the gallery and located the shot of Corey.

  Doug took the phone and squinted. “That’s him. That’s the kid I saw handing out drugs.”

  “How do you know it was drugs?” Alyssa asked.

  “One of the neighborhood kids gave me his sample.”

  Alyssa’s eyebrows shot up, and Rémi’s lungs locked. “Do you still have it?” she asked.

  Doug returned Rémi’s phone, then got out his wallet and slid a thinly rolled joint from one of the pockets. After grabbing a napkin off the counter, she took the joint from Doug, and wrapped it carefully. “You have no idea how helpful you’ve been.”

  “I heard a girl died a few days ago after smoking a laced joint.” He indicated Alyssa’s purse where she put the sample. “Is this related?”

  “Yes. And because of you, we’re one step closer to finding the person responsible.”

  “Glad to help. What are you going to do now?”

  “I’ll put out a BOLO for him, but if he does show up tonight, please call me.”

  “Will do, Sergeant.”

  “Have a good day, Doug.” Alyssa walked out of the store ahead of Rémi. Her shoulders were slumped, and her step seemed to lack its usual bounce. What was up with that? He’d expected her to be all high-fives and fist-pumps.

  Even after they’d settled in the car, she still seemed quiet. Was she disappointed to confirm that Corey really had been pushing drugs to kids, or was she upset about Doug’s reaction to finding out she was a cop? He slipped his arm behind her and pulled her into a hug. “We’ll find him, sweetheart. Whatever’s going on, we’ll figure it out.”

  “I know.”

  This probably wasn’t the best time to bring up dinner plans but… “My aunt Maggie, Tommy’s mom, is having a family dinner tonight. I’d like you to come with me.”

  She stared at him with eyes as round and unmoving as a startled rabbit’s. Was she shocked or petrified?

  “You want me to meet your family? Tonight?” Her voice rose a couple octaves.

  He looked away. “You’re right. I should have given you more notice. Forget it.”

  “No. That’s not it. I’m just a little surprised.”

  Cradling her cheek in his hand, he studied her face. “We’re together, sweetheart, and I don’t care who knows. They can like it or not. I’m not hiding anymore. Not from anyone.”

  Eyes glistening, she brushed her lips against his. “I’m so very lucky to have you in my life.”

  He beamed down at her. “So you’ll come?”

  “I’d do anything to keep that smile on your face.”

  “I can think of a few things—”

  She smacked him on the arm. When he laughed, she joined him. She was wrong though—he was the lucky one. Since meeting her, a whole new world of possibilities had opened up. For the first time in a long time, the future seemed bright, and the thought of settling down with one woman didn’t make him hyperventilate.

  He slid his fingers through her silky hair and gazed into her golden eyes. “Cop or not, you’ll always be my beautiful lady.”

  CHAPTER 23

  Dinner with the Whitedeers. Wow. A swarm of butterflies gathering in her stomach, Alyssa waited for Rémi to walk around the car. Tommy’s family lived in a modest well-kept home on a large plot of land, surrounded by tall birch trees. A battered pickup and a small commuter car were parked in the gravel driveway.

  Leroux drove past in the squad car, and parked in front of them, where he’d stay and keep watch while they had dinner. Close, but outside.

  After opening her door, Rémi wrapped his hand around hers, pulling her to her feet. “Nervous?” he asked, his gaze searching her face.

  Offering him a small smile, she pressed a hand to her middle. “This all seems a little surreal.”

  He grinned and kissed her fingers. “I promise we won’t turn into werewolves or werebears.” She smiled, and he tugged on her arm to bring her to his hard chest. The hunger in his eyes made the butterflies in her belly take wing for a whole new reason. She nuzzled his neck, seeking the scent of his woodsy cologne. In jeans and a tight-fitting black T-shirt that molded every muscle, Rémi was a cocktail for the senses. It was all she could do not to drag him into the trees and have her way with him.

  The loud rumble of an approaching vehicle pulled her mind back to PG territory. Rémi lifted his head and cursed. “What is it?” she asked.

  “It’s Chaz. Fuck. I didn’t know he was coming.”

  A large red Silverado careened in behind Rémi’s car. Through the windshield, Alyssa recognized the woman in the passenger seat. Sarah reached for Chaz but he shrugged her off. Flinging his door open, he charged toward them, his face mottled with rage. Behind him, Sarah and two long-haired boys tumbled out of the truck’s cab.

  “What the fuck is she doing here?” he growled.

  Rémi tried to step in front of her, to shield her with his body. “Rémi, no.”

  Chaz scowled at Rémi. “This is a family dinner. You have no business bringing your whore.”

  Alyssa raised her chin and stared Chaz down. “See, now you’re just being spiteful.”

  He stepped closer, his fist clenching as if he wanted to strike her. “Shut the fu—”

  “Chaz Whitedeer, stop harassing my guests, or I’ll get a gun and shoot you myself.”

  His eyes darted to the short, thin woman on the porch, then he turned his menacing glare back on Alyssa. The woman stomped down the steps and marched across the lawn, getting between them. Hands on her hips, she barked at Chaz. “Guardian, did you hear me?”

  He grimaced but then threw his hands up. “Whatever you say, Aunt Maggie. But you disappoint me. A good clan mother would never invite an SQ officer into her home.”

  The door slammed. Alyssa turned to see Chief Whitedeer, Tommy, and another man she assumed to be Tommy’s father step onto the porch.

  “What’s going on, here?” Chief Whitedeer asked in his usual calm voice.

  “It’s okay, Rake'níha. Chaz was just welcoming Rémi and his girlfriend. Isn’t that right, Chaz?” Maggie said, then she turned to Sarah. “Janet and the girls are out back. I’ll bring the boys, you take care of Chaz.”

  While Maggie ushered the boys into
the house, Sarah took Chaz’s hand. “Let it go, hon. This isn’t the time or place.” He shot Alyssa one last glare, then stalked into the house.

  Once she and Rémi were alone again, Alyssa blew out a long breath. He brushed a strand of hair off her cheek and peered at her, his expression tight, concerned. “We should leave.”

  “Do you really want to give Chaz that much power?” she asked.

  His eyes widened, then he smiled. “What did I ever do to deserve you, little tiger?”

  “I don’t know, but I’m sure if we asked your cousin, he’d say it was something terrible.”

  “We don’t have to stay. Aunt Maggie will understand.”

  “Are we talking about the same woman? She looked ready to rip Chaz’s face off if he didn’t stand down.”

  “She would have. Aunt Maggie is the strongest of the Wolf clan mothers.”

  “Still, I’m surprised he respected her authority.”

  “The clan mothers are the leaders of the tribe. As a Guardian, he has no choice but to obey her.”

  “Seriously? Wow. So all the Guardians—”

  “And Defenders.”

  “—answer to the clan mothers.” She looped her arm around Rémi’s. “I think I’m going to like your Aunt Maggie.”

  He leaned down and feathered his lips against hers. “She’ll like you too.” Looking into her eyes, he raised a brow. “Ready to meet my family?”

  She swallowed and nodded. “God help me.”

  He laughed and led her to the house. Tommy must have been waiting for them because as soon as they reached the top of the steps, he opened the door, concern pinching his features. “You okay, Alyssa?”

  Rémi stared daggers at his cousin. “You could have fucking warned me he’d be here.”

  “Hey, I’m as shocked as you are.”

  “He probably wanted to make sure I didn’t infect his children with my whiteness,” Rémi sneered.

  Tommy winced.

  She glanced sharply at Rémi. His green eyes sparked with anger. When their gazes met, the anger fell away and determination took its place. He wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her hair. “Don’t let Chaz get to you,” she said.