Men in Charge: A Contemporary Romance Box Set

by Natasha L. Black

  “I agree,” I nodded. “But we’ve got to catch him at something illegal. I can’t arrest him because he told me I can’t come back to the club. As the owner, that’s well within his right.”

  I had spent many nights removing people from restaurants and bars they felt they were entitled to be in when the owner wanted them gone. I knew how the law worked. At the same time, I couldn’t agree with her more. Rocco was definitely up to something.

  “Listen, I think you should get out of there. I can talk to my captain and we can get you set up in one of our safe houses until this is all over,” I told her.

  She smiled at me but shook her head. “No, I don’t want to run and hide. I’m sick of letting him run my life. Besides I think if I disappear, he’ll figure out something’s up and will tighten up the reigns. He’ll be less likely to make a mistake and get caught.”

  I nodded. She was right. “Okay, if you’re sure. I just really want you to be careful Susie. I don’t like his possessiveness of you. I’m afraid he’s going to hurt you, or worse, if he doesn’t get his way.” “I think as long as I keep showing up to work, he’s not going to do anything,” she said. “The reason he’s been so pissed off at me is because I want to quit. If I stick around, he’ll back off and I can even help with your investigation.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked.

  “I was thinking about what you said that day in the coffee shop. About wearing the microphone. I didn’t want to do it before, but I’m ready now. I want this to be over. If you help me put it on where he can’t see it, I’ll do it,” she said. She still looked nervous, but I couldn’t hide the smile on my face.

  “If you’re sure?” I prompted.

  “I’m sure,” she said, with a bit more confidence this time.

  “Then let’s get this son of a bitch.”

  16

  Sky

  “Thank you for helping me,” I said at the door. I had called for a cab that was now waiting outside, and it was time for me to go but I didn’t want to leave. I wanted to stay with Jack the whole night. There was a part of me that was tempted to ask if I could.

  I was sure he’d agree to the idea. He clearly had feelings of some sort for me.

  That was another thing I wanted to talk to him about, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. I wanted to tell him how much I cared about him, how I felt like I was falling in love, even. But I was afraid that maybe he was only with me out of a sense of obligation or of being protective. Maybe once I wasn’t a damsel in distress, he wouldn’t want me. The thought hurt, so I kept my mouth shut.

  “Be safe. And please let me know when you get home,” Jack said.

  “I’ll text you,” I assured him. Without a word, he leaned forward and kissed me on the forehead, causing me to blush a deep crimson. With a grin, he brushed my hair away with his hand. “Are you sure you don’t want to get out of town?”

  “I’m sure. I want to help put Rocco in prison for good,” I said. The cab honked his horn outside, so I headed out the door.

  “I’ll be in touch soon with a plan,” he called after me.

  I hurried down the stairs and outside, not wanting to keep the driver waiting any longer. He looked annoyed, and I apologized when I sat down. “It was a long goodbye, sorry.”

  He grumbled something and I gave him my address, then we set off. Staring down at my phone, I wasn’t paying much attention to what the driver was doing. He drove along quietly, and I adjusted myself in my seat. There was someone driving behind us and the headlights were glaring. They reflected in the sideview mirror right into my face. For some reason, the hair on the back of my neck stood on end.

  To my relief, we turned a corner. But then, the light was back. I glanced over my shoulder, but in the blinding headlights I couldn’t see the car. An uneasy feeling crept over me, and I tried to ignore it. But when the car turned another corner, then another, staying behind us, I started to worry.

  “Hey, could you pull over for a sec?” I asked.

  “Why?” the driver asked.

  “I think we might be being followed,” I said. If you could stop and let them get in front of us, that would be great. I’ll make it worth your while,” I assured him.

  He was still grumbling but he did as I asked. When the car behind us also pulled over across the street, I knew for sure we were being watched.

  “I think those people are following me,” I said again.

  “Coincidence, I’m sure,” the driver said. “Do you want to call the cops?”

  I shook my head. “Just take me home. I’ll be okay.”

  My heart raced. I wished I could get a view of what car they were driving. If I could, I’d be able to tell whether it was Rocco or someone else. For all I knew, he might have hired someone to follow me around. Did that mean they knew where Jack lived?

  I didn’t want to think about it.

  “Your decision,” the driver pulled back onto the road and continued driving, taking a few extra turns along the way. The car behind us was definitely following, with each new turn making my heart race that much more.

  “Hey, will you do me a favor?” I asked. I pulled out fifty dollars from my purse and set it on the center console.

  He looked down at the money, then he nodded.

  “I want you to go down this alley up here on the left and pause just long enough to let me jump out. Can you do that?” I asked desperately. I had intentionally moved out of the way of the back window so the men couldn’t see me.

  “Look lady, I’m not going to be bait for you. I don’t know who those people are, but I don’t want them tailing me all night.” he said.

  “I don’t need change for that money, and I can assure you, as soon as you get past my place they aren’t going to follow you for long. I’m just afraid they’re going to try to do something when I get out of the car before I can get into my building. Once I’m in there, I’ll be safe,” I told him.

  “Why don’t you just call the cops? If you’re being followed by someone and you’re afraid of what they might do to you, it sounds like a much better option than trying to run a few blocks in the dark and hope they don’t see you,” he said.

  “It’s complicated,” I replied. “Please, just do it. Here.”

  I set another fifty-dollar bill on his console, and he shook his head. “Geez lady, you’re either crazy, desperate, or rich.”

  “Maybe a bit of all three,” I said with a nervous laugh. “Will you help me?”

  “Alright, alright. But if you end up dead in the morning, don’t blame me,” he said.

  “No worries,” I replied dryly. He continued to drive up the block, then he made the sudden turn I’d asked him to make. He stopped the car only briefly, just enough time for me to leap out and dive behind one of the garbage cans next to the road. By the time the car that was following us turned the corner, he was already to the other end of the alley.

  The car sped by, clearly trying to catch up, but it gave me enough time to see who was behind the wheel.

  It wasn’t Rocco, but it definitely was one of the men who had been at the club earlier that evening. I needed to move quickly and get home before he figured out I wasn’t in the cab anymore and doubled back to look for me.

  I waited only for a moment, then I dove out from behind the garbage can and back onto the road. I didn’t hesitate, I just started running. I was a few blocks from my place, and that was a bit of a run, but I could do it. I refused to look around as I ran. I didn’t want to slow down for any reason, and I ignored the paranoia that was creeping up in the back of my mind.

  Maybe there was more than one of them? What if someone was waiting for me back at my place? Maybe I should’ve taken Jack up on his offer.

  With each step, I worried it was going to be my last. My purse was flapping behind me, and I hardly dared to breathe. Finally, my complex came into view, and I ran for it with all the energy I had left. The wine that I’d drank with Jack still buzzed in my bran, and I knew it w
as slowing me down some.

  But, with the cab driver on my side, there was no doubt in my mind that car would be following him until he was past my house. If he took the turns that I’d asked him to take he wouldn’t be there until after I was, and that would give me the time I needed to get back inside.

  I continued to run, right up the path to the doorway and into the complex. I felt a lot better once the door closed behind me, but I knew I still wasn’t safe. That door was open to anyone. If there were other men following me, they would be able to come in after me.

  I didn’t stop running until I reached my door. Then, with a pounding heart and heaving chest, I dug through my purse as though my life depended on it. The thought crossed my mind that it would have been smarter to get the key out before I got to the door, but I hadn’t thought about it in the cab, and there was no time for me to look when I was on the street.

  Finally, I found the small key and with shaking hands, I tried to get it in the lock. I heard the door open and close downstairs, and my heart nearly landed in my throat. I knew it could be a neighbor, but I wasn’t taking any chances.

  I finally got the key in the door and was in my apartment in a flash, pulling the door closed behind me and locking the deadbolt along with the doorknob. I stood for a moment, my chest still heaving, my lungs on fire. I did my best to hold my breath.

  I wanted to hear what was going on in the hall. I heard the sound of someone walking up the steps, but it was shortly followed by them going into their own apartment. I heaved a sigh of relief. My plan had worked. I was safe, at least for tonight, though my theory was now confirmed.

  Carefully, I walked to the middle of my living room. That angle allowed me to look down on the street below, but no one on the street could see me. I waited. The cab I’d been in just minutes before came down a side street and looped around, as though he was going to pull up in front of my house.

  Instead, he just kept going.

  Not long after, the same black car that had been following us came down the same street, also taking the turn. They slowed down when they got in front of my apartment, and I had a feeling they were trying to see through the window.

  But I wasn’t going anywhere near where they could see me. They’d figure it out soon enough. In fact, I had a feeling they already had. After sitting at a dead stop in the middle of the street for a few moments, they screeched away, leaving black marks on the road behind them.

  I breathed another sigh of relief, finally able to relax a bit. My phone was buzzing in my purse, and I pulled it out, finding three messages from Jack. They all said basically the same thing – he wasn’t sure why he hadn’t heard from me yet, he was worried about my safety, and he was on the verge of coming to look for me himself.

  I quickly sent him a reply.

  Just got home. Had to make a run for it. I’m being followed by one of the men that Rocco had at the club earlier. Safe now but be careful. They might know where you live

  I hit send then closed all the curtains in my apartment. I didn’t want to risk anyone being able to see me if I got too close to the window. As I flicked off the lights and pulled my clothes off for bed, my phone buzzed once more.

  I’m on my way over.

  I smiled and replied. You don’t have to do that. I’m fine now.

  You don’t know that. They could come back. I’m not letting you stay alone tonight. I’ll be there in thirty minutes. Don’t open the door until you confirm it’s me. Got it?

  I couldn’t stop the grin on my face or the lightness in my heart. He really did care. I tapped out my reply.

  Got it.

  17

  Jack

  “Good, I wanted to catch you before you started for work,” I told Sky. I had had a busy shift and didn’t have the chance to talk to her all day. I had slept on her couch the night before and all had been quiet. I’d left early in the morning before she’d gotten up to get into the station.

  “Yeah, I’m going to be leaving in about five minutes,” she said. She didn’t sound worried, which was definitely a relief for me.

  “Are you walking?” I asked.

  “If they follow me, they’re going to follow me to work,” she said. “And Rocco’s going to be there anyway.”

  “True,” I said. “Just be careful and try not to let yourself get caught alone with him. He’s going to be pissed knowing we were together last night.”

  “I’m not too worried about it. He might be an arrogant asshole, but he’s not stupid. He won’t risk doing anything to me in public. There are always people around. I’ll be safe as long as I’m there.” She laughed then, but it held no humor. “Ironic isn’t it? That I’d feel safest in that damn club?”

  “Ironic, yes. But it does make a certain amount of sense.” There were too many people around for him to get away with a so-called accident, and I’d have the proof I needed to get him locked up for life. Or worse.

  “What do you want me to do?” she asked. “I don’t have anything to record him with.”

  “We aren’t going to worry about that yet. I’m going to talk to my commanding officer today and see what we can do about that, and I’ll get back to you. Tonight, I want you to act like you always do. Play the part, don’t act like there’s anything different in your life, and if you can manage, pretend you don’t know why you’d be followed,” I said.

  “I’m sure he’s not going to think I’m that dumb,” she replied. “At least I hope not.”

  “It’s in your best interest to play dumb right now,” I told her. “Really. You need to play the part as best you can.”

  “Okay,” she didn’t sound convinced. “Can you do that for me?” I asked. “Please trust me Susie.”

  “I can do it,” she said. I could hear the conviction in her voice, but she wrapped up the phone call quickly. “I’ve got to get going. If I’m late he’s going to freak, and I don’t want to set him off.”

  “Keep in touch with me as best you can. And I would rather you took the bus home when you get off tonight. Stay off the streets. Even if they follow you back home, you’re safer on the bus than being on the sidewalk,” I told her.

  “Okay,” she said again.

  “Do you want me to be at your place when you get off?” I asked, hoping she’d say yes.

  “Probably not, right? You said to make it seem like nothing was up,” she said, though I could hear the hesitation in her voice.

  I couldn’t help but smile. “No, you’re right. But if you don’t feel safe for any reason, you call me and I’ll be there. Got it?”

  “Okay,” she said. She hung up the phone and I sighed. I scrubbed a hand over my face and tried to shake myself out of my funk. I was definitely falling for the girl, but did I tell her that? I knew there was something between us, and not just because of the amazing sex we’d had. I felt the magnetic pull whenever she was around, and I knew she felt it too.

  But where would that leave us when the whole thing was done? Would she leave the city that was so full of shitty memories for her once she was safely free to do so? Would I beg her to stay? Did I even have that right?

  Shit, I was on the verge of driving myself insane. I needed to focus on taking Rocco down before anything else. Then Sky and I could figure out what happened next. Together. After checking in with Sky, I knew I had to talk to Captain Markel. I had been doing a lot of the work on my own, independent of the station. I knew he’d be pissed because he’d specifically asked me not to go off on my own and I’d promised him. But the case was different. He had to know that.

  I was far more emotionally invested in this than any other case I’d worked on, and I was invested in the outcome. In order to move forward though, I would need his approval. I just hoped he would give it to me.

  “Captain, you got a minute?” I asked as I stopped at his office.

  “Thomas, come on in,” he said. “Do you have anything good for me?”

  “I do,” I said. I closed the door and walked over to his des
k, sitting down. “I’ve been working quite a bit on it, actually.”

  “On your own time?” he looked at me hard.

  “I didn’t do anything that you wouldn’t approve of,” I lied. I knew he wouldn’t approve of me getting sexually involved with one of the witnesses.

  “So, what do you have for me?” he put his hands in his pockets and sat back in his chair, still looking at me carefully. I knew I had to be careful. Everything needed to be by the book, and I needed to remain the one in charge of handling Sky’s involvement.

  After all, if I fucked this up in his eyes, he could take the case from me and assign it to someone else. I couldn’t let that happen. Not with Sky in the middle of it.

  “Rocco has called some of his associates into town. I think he’s up to something. Maybe about to make a play,” I said.

  Captain Markel looked surprised. “How many associates you talking about?”

  “Four. They’re all made guys from what I can tell,” I said.

  “And how do you know this?” he asked. “Where is your proof?”

  “I don’t have any tangible evidence I can give you. But I did elicit the help of one of the girls who works there,” I replied. He bristled slightly.

  “Hopefully not the one you intervened with,” he said.

  “Who would be better to help with the case than a girl who hates him?” I asked.

  “Who would be better to lie about what was going on than a girl who hates him?” he shot back. “You know you have to be careful when you have crimes of passion thrown in the mix. We aren’t going to seek revenge on this man, we need cold, hard facts.”

  “That’s what I’m going to be getting, and I need your permission for a plan I have,” I said quickly. I knew it was time to tell him straight what I wanted, or I was going to lose him. He clearly wasn’t thrilled with my methods, but I was going to stand by them.