“We didn’t know until we called the Cascade that they had released him. They notified Fenton. Not us.”
“What? Why in the hell? Ryker, I’m not caffeinated. Spell it out for me, please.”
“Desoto’s house burned to the ground. King called the Cascade to make sure Desoto was safe. The judge reversed his no-bail order and Desoto was free by noon yesterday. The jail called the JDET commander listed on the intake forms. Fenton.”
“Oh, fuck...”
“Yeah, so now we have suspected arson, three dead. Unknown identities. About a kilo of H in the kitchen which looked like it was in the process of being cut.”
“Wait, Desoto wasn’t a dealer.”
“Right.”
“Peña. Shit. What do you need?”
“I need Fenton off my back and a coordinated effort with homicide and arson.”
“You think this was a hit.”
“I do.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, just what this city needs, a drug lord on the warpath. All right. Look, I have to brief this up the chain. Fenton’s my supervisor.”
“Roger that. I’ll be calling the Deputy Commissioner. At her request, I’m informing her of all incidents involving Fenton.”
“I’ll deny it if you tell anyone, but I’m so fucking thankful you have someone flying top cover that isn’t under Fenton’s thumb. That man has it out for you.”
“Don’t I know it.” Ryker started his car. “I’ll call you this afternoon if we have any updates.”
“Are you heading into the office?”
“Nope. Home for a shower and some sack time.”
There was a pause. “You feel okay?”
“Fine. I just need to get a few hours before I head to the office. I didn’t get any sleep before they called me.”
“Sleep in as long as you can. If anyone gives you shit, tell them I authorized it.”
Ryker snorted. “If anyone gives me shit, they’ll be eating their shoe.”
Hugh laughed. “Yeah, true. I forgot who I was talking to for a moment. I’ll work that cooperation you asked for between the departments. I’m not telling Fenton about that. I don’t need him trying to block communication on this one. Call me when you have an update.”
“Copy. Night.” He ended the call and sighed. Hugh was a damn good cop, and he’d make a fantastic colonel. Unfortunately, Fenton was a weasel and it would take a stick of dynamite and a crowbar to remove the guy from his current position. So, the rest of the organization suffered while the man acted like a tyrant. Thank God the commissioner and just about everyone else was onto the asshole’s games. He thumbed his contacts and found the number for the Deputy Commissioner. The call lasted two minutes, but it was two minutes well spent. If Fenton could spin tonight’s events to cast a shadow on him or his team, he would. Letting the Deputy Commissioner know what had transpired before Fenton could throw it in his face took a ton of pressure off his shoulders.
He drove up to his small Craftsman, turned in the driveway, and parked beside the old SUV. Letting himself inside, he locked the door behind him, stripped away the foul-smelling clothes, and put them directly into the washing machine. Quickly loaded with soap and two caps full of those good-smelling beads, he prayed the stench of the fire would come out on the first wash. He liked those jeans, and the t-shirt had been a gift.
The selector button slid to heavy wash with a flick of his thumb and he depressed the button, starting the machine. With a soft click, he shut the laundry room door behind him and padded straight into the bathroom. His little house had two bedrooms and one bathroom. It was functional and worked for him. Small enough to keep clean and big enough to have everything he needed. He showered quickly, scrubbing hard to get the smell of smoke off his body. Unfortunately, the stench seemed to be pasted inside his nose. He gave up after the third round of suds and shampoo.
Drying off first, he brushed his teeth and headed to bed. He slid in between the sheets and gathered the warm, soft body sleeping on his pillow closer.
Brianna King sighed and then purred as she cuddled next to him. “Back from work.”
Her soft question tugged up the corners of his mouth. “I am.”
“Are you okay?” Her hand skimmed upward and landed against his pec, over his heart.
“I’m okay. Go back to sleep.”
She hummed. “What time is it?”
“After four, I guess.”
“What time do you have to be at work?” She leaned away. Her beautiful blue eyes, heavy with sleep, stared up at him.
“When I get there.” He turned on his side so they were face to face.
Her fingertips trailed over his chest. “So, you could sleep in with me?”
“I could.” A smile formed on his lips as she leaned in and kissed his chest before she slipped further, trailing her lips across his abs, and still down further. He rolled onto his back and moved his legs apart, giving her room. His hands found purchase in her long dark brown curls and held on gently as she circled the head of his cock with her tongue. Her hands cupped his balls, and she sucked him into her mouth. Fuck, the woman somehow knew what he needed. She hummed around his cock, wetting it before she took him farther into her throat.
“God, babe.” He strained against the need building inside him. She was fucking talented. Her tongue worked his shaft and the suction, oh, damn, the suction and fondling of his balls had him pegged in no time. She pushed down; the head of his cock slid into her throat. She gagged but did the move again and again. The tight grip of her throat and warmth of her mouth were too much. He tugged her hair, letting her know he was close. She moaned and once again impaled herself on his cock, taking him to the back of her throat.
He curled up as he came. His fist tightened in her hair, and his cock flooded her mouth with his release. Her tongue lapped and swirled as she drank down all he gave her. He flopped back onto the bed and shivered when her tongue danced over his spent cock. Hyper-sensitive, he hissed. She pulled off and crawled up his body before she laid on top of him. “Welcome home.”
“Damn, I’ll ensure I get called out every night.” He pushed her curls away from her face and brought her down for a kiss. “I’ll return the favor. Just give me a minute to catch my breath.”
“No need. You took excellent care of me earlier.” She dropped to his side and tugged up the blanket which had slipped to his knees. “Any of your people hurt?”
He shook his head. “No. Although, I spoke with Brody and Brock.”
“Mood gone.” She groaned and flopped onto her back. “How did I let myself fall for the JDET Captain?”
“Well, to start with, I didn’t tell you what organization I was with, just that I worked in Public Relations. I wasn’t the commander of JDET... because of the circumstances.”
She snapped her head back toward him. “Yeah, that’s right. It’s your fault. No, wait, it’s that asshole Fenton’s fault.”
He laughed and brought her closer. “That’s right, you can blame it all on him.”
“Damn straight.” She swirled her finger across the hair on his chest. “Mom is still angling to meet you. I keep putting her off. Thank God she has Gage to keep her occupied.”
“I have no problem meeting your parents.” He ran his hands through her hair. His eyes closed as he held her, and he yawned until his body shook. God, he wasn’t a twenty-something any longer. He needed to get some sleep a night. Working through the night didn’t use to be a problem. Now? Well, he was keeping late nights waiting for Brie to close the restaurant and make it to his house. He’d happily drink more coffee to stay awake during the day so he could spend his nights making Brianna happy.
“See, you really don’t know what you’re getting yourself into. My brothers are horrid. You don’t know them away from the job. My dad isn’t much better, especially when he gets with Colm.”
He had to think for a moment and then remembered. “The neighbor.”
“Closer than neighbors. The McBrides are fa
mily.”
“I can handle it.” He yawned again.
“See, that’s just it. I don’t want you to have to handle it. Why couldn’t I have a normal family?”
He chuckled and moved, situating her on his bicep and getting comfortable. “You have a normal family. A regular Norman Rockwell painting.”
“What about me meeting your family?” She snuggled closer and slid her leg across his. He loved the way she wrapped around him.
“Not the same as your family. No Christmas card moments there, but I’d introduce you to them if you’d like.”
“Maybe we should just be happy with each other for a while longer first?” She placed a kiss on his chest, and he smiled with his eyes closed.
“Whenever you want, babe. Until then, my lips remain sealed.” He drew a deep breath and let it go slowly.
“Thank you,” She whispered her words against his chest and were the last thing he heard before he drifted to sleep.
Also by Maryann Jordan
Don’t miss other Maryann Jordan books!
Lots more Baytown stories to enjoy and more to come!
Baytown Boys (small town, military romantic suspense)
Coming Home
Just One More Chance
Clues of the Heart
Finding Peace
Picking Up the Pieces
Sunset Flames
Waiting for Sunrise
Hear My Heart
Guarding Your Heart
Sweet Rose
Our Time
Count On Me
For all of Miss Ethel’s boys:
Heroes at Heart (Military Romance)
Zander
Rafe
Cael
Jaxon
Jayden
Asher
Zeke
Cas
Lighthouse Security Investigations
Mace
Rank
Walker
Drew
Blake
Tate
Hope City (romantic suspense series co-developed
with Kris Michaels
Hope City Duet (Brock / Sean)
Carter
Brody by Kris Michaels
Kyle
Ryker by Kris Michaels
Saints Protection & Investigations
(an elite group, assigned to the cases no one else wants…or can solve)
Serial Love
Healing Love
Revealing Love
Seeing Love
Honor Love
Sacrifice Love
Protecting Love
Remember Love
Discover Love
Surviving Love
Celebrating Love
Follow the exciting spin-off series:
Alvarez Security (military romantic suspense)
Gabe
Tony
Vinny
Jobe
SEALs
Thin Ice (Sleeper SEAL)
SEAL Together (Silver SEAL)
Letters From Home (military romance)
Class of Love
Freedom of Love
Bond of Love
The Love’s Series (detectives)
Love’s Taming
Love’s Tempting
Love’s Trusting
The Fairfield Series (small town detectives)
Emma’s Home
Laurie’s Time
Carol’s Image
Fireworks Over Fairfield
Please take the time to leave a review of this book. Feel free to contact me, especially if you enjoyed my book. I love to hear from readers!
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About the Author
I am an avid reader of romance novels, often joking that I cut my teeth on the historical romances. I have been reading and reviewing for years. In 2013, I finally gave into the characters in my head, screaming for their story to be told. From these musings, my first novel, Emma’s Home, The Fairfield Series was born.
I was a high school counselor having worked in education for thirty years. I live in Virginia, having also lived in four states and two foreign countries. I have been married to a wonderfully patient man for thirty-nine years. The only thing that pulls me away from writing is being with my grandchildren! When writing, my dog or one of my four cats can generally be found in the same room if not on my lap.
Please take the time to leave a review of this book. Feel free to contact me, especially if you enjoyed my book. I love to hear from readers!
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Website
Kyle (Hope City Book 4) Page 26