by J. L. Drake
“Smooth.” I laughed into my glass.
“I suppose you have some questions for me, Agent Colin. If you want answers, get that girl to come to dinner with us.” He stood. “Meet me at the usual spot in twenty.”
I waited for him to leave before I headed over and politely extended my hand, knowing Vinnie’s men were watching. “My name is Cooper Colin.”
She crossed her legs, which made her dress inch up further, before she leaned forward and shook my hand. “Sydney.”
“Pleasure to meet you.” I glanced around. “I don’t suppose you’d like to join me for dinner?”
She gave me a small smile.
Dine in the Shallows was a restaurant located under an old hotel. You’d walk right by it if you weren’t watching for it. The place was dark, and the seating was intimate. Red velvet high-back cushioned chairs circled the tables and booths. Black, sleek tables shone under the flickering candles. A man in a three-piece tux played a violin while a woman softy sang to a late forties tune.
I could tell Sydney was impressed. Her face lit up when she looked around but quickly dropped when she saw Vinnie at a table with four others. One of them was Tommy, my informant, and Vinnie and Bobby’s nephew.
“Relax,” I whispered in her ear and eased her forward. “They won’t bite.”
The men rose as we drew closer. “I’m impressed, Colin.” Vinnie laughed and called over the waiter. “Vino for my guests!”
I pulled out Sydney’s chair and sat next to her. I didn’t want to bring to her attention that Vinnie had this place packed with his men. I could practically smell the steel from their weapons, there was so many. Even the damn waiter shook as he poured the wine.
“Vinnie, this is Sydney Claire.” I looked at her. “This is Vinnie, Tommy, Sly, and Cook.” Most people would have pissed themselves to be at the same table as the mafia. Not me. I knew them so well I could tell you what each of them would order. I’d invested years into understanding their habits so I could take them out…one by one.
“Pleasure to meet you,” she cooed and granted them a smile that made it hard to swallow. Christ, she was sexy. “This is a spectacular place. I never even knew it was here.”
“It’s only been open for a year,” Sly said, eyeing her.
“Well, that explains it.” She smiled at me and caught my expression, which I quickly wiped clean off my face. “I have been on the east coast for some time now.”
“What brought you to the east coast?” Vinnie asked, but I could tell he was digging.
“My aunt lives there. She raised me after…” She looked down and cleared her throat. “So, what’s good to eat here?”
I glanced at Vinnie, who stared at her almost as if he’d seen a ghost. Yes, he’d figured it out…Sydney was the long-lost daughter of Charlie and Stacy Knight.
I knew in my gut Vinnie was connected with their murder. Every piece of evidence pointed to the Marrones, but they were good and had solid alibies.
“The crab is superb.” Vinnie grinned at her, then looked over at me. “Are you gonna tell me it was a coincidence that you and her were both at the bar at the same time?”
I was waiting for this.
“No, it wasn’t.” I turned to face Sydney. “I’ve been following you.”
“What?” Her gaze darted around nervously. Her hand flew to her purse, but I stopped her.
“I’ve been working your parents’ case for some time now. When I heard you were back in town, I hurried to Nashville to see if I could catch you. Ask some questions, see what you could offer me.” I placed my hand on hers. “We’re both looking for answers, that’s all.”
She slowly looked around the table and let out a long, unsteady breath. “I, ah, I’m not sure what I can help you with. I was very young when they were taken from me. So are you a detective or something? ”
“FBI.”
“FBI?” Her voice cracked. “I thought the case was closed. Unsolved.”
I shook my head. “It’s a cold case, but that’s what I do. I solve the unsolved. I have some questions, and I hope you have some answers.”
“So do I.” Vinnie eyed her.
She looked over at him and squared her shoulders. “And who might you be? Because I’m guessing you’re not the FBI.”
Sly and Cook laughed with their mouths full of food. Tommy snuck me a look, and I could see he was uncomfortable. Tommy and Vinnie were like oil and water. Tommy would do anything to see Vinnie at the bottom of a river somewhere—family bickering over who would take over the business when Bobby died.
Dinner was served, and we all ate and chatted about little things. Having dinner with the Devil’s spawn was not something I had planned, but I would take any chance to gather anything new I could.
Sydney avoided any personal questions they shot at her with a witty comment that seemed to put them in their place. Though they kept trying to pry.
“Tell me…” Vinnie pushed his plate away from his huge stomach. “What do you remember about your parents?”
She downed the rest of her wine. This was her third. “How much do you remember from when you were two?”
He smirked, but I could tell he was getting a tad annoyed with her dodging. Perhaps it was time to leave.
“You have quite the mouth.”
“One could say the same about you.”
Sly cleared his throat and rested his hand on his gun. Which, in turn, made me do the same.
Vinnie rubbed his chin while he studied her. Her finger ran along the rim of the glass as she stared right back at him. Liquid courage could be deadly here.
“You’re not what I pictured.”
“Didn’t know you pictured me.” She leaned her elbows on the table. “Is this the part where you tell me you murdered my parents?”
I thought I might have left my body for a moment. Did she really say that to him? To Vinnie Marrone, second in line for the seat at the head table. The next Godfather. I wasn’t sure if I should high five her or cock my gun for battle.
Vinnie’s tongue raced around his teeth before he broke out in an odd laugh, and the rest of the men followed.
“I like you.” He chuckled awkwardly. “I want you to join me at my cottage this weekend. Both of you.”
“Why would I do that, exactly?” she challenged.
“Because I don’t normally ask, my dear.” His eyes darkened and his face changed to the look I knew all too well. Yeah, it was time to go. I would not let her tear down my case.
“You have my number, text me the address.” I rose to my feet. “I will take you back to the hotel, Sydney.”
She stood, then turned back around and held onto the back of the chair. “If you did kill my parents and I find out, I will take your balls and snap them off at the base.” She flashed them a bitch smile. “Enjoy the rest of your evening, gentlemen.”
I took her wrist and hurried her out of the restaurant before we added more red to the décor.
It wasn’t until we were in the cab that she finally sucked in a deep breath and showed me her true emotions.
Her hands shook as she ran them over her thighs.
“Sydney,” I whispered while pushing back my own anxiety from what just happened. “You’re playing with fire, fire that will burn you without a thought.”
“Yeah, I got that.” She wiped a tear away with a huff. “I don’t know what came over me.”
I closed my eyes and remembered that people don’t work like I do. I shifted to get closer and wrapped my arm around her bare shoulders.
“I’m fine.”
“I know.”
Once inside the elevator of the hotel, I felt her withdraw, and she couldn’t do that yet. I needed her to stay focused.
With a sideways glance, I couldn’t help but stare at her tight body inside that little black dress. Damn, she was fine-looking.
“I need a drink.” She fluttered her hands. “Christ, I can’t calm my nerves.” She pulled her hair to one side and let out a lo
ng breath. “You want to hit up the bar?”
Yes.
“That’s not a good idea.” What the hell was wrong with me? The doors opened, and I hurried down the hall toward my room. “Night, Sydney,” I called over my shoulder.
“Yeah.” She sighed.
1:00 a.m. burned into my eyes as I stared at the clock from my bed. I couldn’t sleep. My head was spinning about the invitation to the cottage. This was big. I’d never been there. I checked in with Mason, my boss, to tell him what happened. He was surprised we were still standing, and I agreed. Sydney pushed some boundaries even I wouldn’t have tested.
Sydney…I got hard even thinking of her. Fuck it.
The hotel was silent as I headed across the lobby wearing my dress pants, with my white shirt open at the top and sleeves rolled to the elbow. This seemed to be my normal look.
I found Sydney in the corner of the bar with a man who had his hand on her leg. They were laughing and looked to be a few drinks in.
“Sydney.” My hands went to my hips. I had to admit I didn’t like seeing her with him.
She slowly looked over at me. “Good…” She squinted at the clock. “…morning.”
“We have to be on the road in six hours.”
“Noted.” Her attention went back to the man whose hand slipped higher up her leg.
With my eyes closed, I calmed my rage and looked at the bartender, who gestured to let me know the tab was on the man’s bill.
“Time to go, Syd.” I stepped forward and pulled her to her feet.
“Hey.” She tried to push me away, but I held her to my side.
“What the hell, man!” The guy moved to his feet. I didn’t have it in me at that point, so I pulled out my badge, and he backed off.
“That’s fucked up, Cooper,” she spat at me as she wiggled out of my hold and into the elevator.
“Yup, I’m an asshole,” I muttered, punching the button. The lift rose as she gave me a dirty look.
“He was nice.”
“He wanted to screw you.”
“So?”
My hands slipped into my pockets as I shook my head.
“Why did you come down to the bar, Colin?” She pulled at my arm so I’d look at her. “Tell me.” When I wouldn’t answer her, she shoved me. “Tell me!” Tonight’s events were raw on the surface. “Just tell me.”
I suddenly walked right up so she would press back flat against the wall. “Because I knew you’d go looking for something to fuck.”
“So?” Her chest rose and her breasts pushed into my chest. She smelled like gin.
Screw it!
I hooked her waist and pulled her closer, then my other hand grabbed her head and pulled her hair back. “Because that’s fucked up. If you’re hurting, come to me.”
“I did,” she huffed, “and you walked away, left me here in the elevator.”
I slammed my lips to hers as she jumped up and wrapped her legs around me. When the doors opened, I walked us out and down the hallway. The entire time we made out like we were starving for one another. Neither of us cared who saw. As long as my mouth was on hers, that was all that mattered.
“Key, back pocket,” I said between kisses. Her hand freed the key and gave it to me.
Once inside, we barely made it to the bed before she was clawing at my shirt. She was wild in a dark, seductive way.
My fingers inched up her dress, and to my not surprise, she was commando. I tossed her on the bed and kicked off my pants and underwear. She peeled off her dress and removed her bra so her breasts moved freely and bounced as she lay back with her legs spread.
If I really thought about it, I would probably talk myself out of what I was about to do, but no man in his right mind would stop when he had a beautiful, naked woman sprawled out in front of him. I pressed my knee into the mattress and moved to hover over her.
I gave her a smile as I took in her flawless, silken skin.
Her legs gently rose and grazed my skin, slowly wrapping around my waist and lowering me to her.
Not a smart move, Colin! I closed my eyes and sank inside her. My jaw locked down as my body heated.
Then, with a dangerous flicker of my hips, she grabbed my shoulders and held on. My hands were everywhere, her breasts, slender hips, thighs, I didn’t care…I just needed to feel her.
“Faster,” she grunted, which sent me in a race to see who would come first. She screamed, bucked, and moaned as I hooked one leg over my arm and dove deeper inside. A slow rush started in my stomach and soon I came full force, plowing over any rational thoughts. I was lost, lost in the sexiest woman I’d ever known. I didn’t care who she was, nothing would stop me, not even if Vinnie himself walked through the door.
I felt her come, but I wasn’t ready. Instead, I hooked her other leg and bent her in half until I found what I wanted—no, needed…another release.
To say I woke with a smile would be an understatement. Not only did I get the release I’d been craving, but she kicked me out and sent me back to my room afterward. She was perfect, no strings attached. My favorite.
With my suitcase in hand, I waited in the lobby for Sydney. I received the text saying Vinnie would send a car and take us to his cottage for the weekend. Classic Vinnie, to change the plans at the last moment. I quickly canceled with the valet to return my car to the garage and sent Mason the new plans. If I were to guess, the cottage address was fake too.
I was aware it was a suicide mission, but no one had ever gotten this close to the Marrone family. My phone was currently being tracked. I knew Vinnie would take our things at some point, and hopefully it would be after we get to the cottage, and not before.
I looked up and saw her in a sexy yellow sundress and heels, her suitcase rolling behind her.
“Ready to go?” she asked as she brushed by me.
I grew hard and swallowed a knot in my throat. Yes, I was, but not for this weekend trip.
Thirty minutes into the drive, the driver lowered the partition. He tossed us black cloth bags to pull over our heads since no one knew the location of the house. Sydney gave me a worried look before she did as she was told. I didn’t blame her, because this could go south real quick.
I could only make out shadows that whipped by the window. The driver turned up the music to hide anything else. I tried to count the turns but I lost track after the sixth one. For all I knew, he could be driving in a big circle just to throw us off. It wasn’t until we hit gravel that we were told we could remove the bags. Blinking to adjust to the light, I saw we were in the middle of nowhere.
Black, over-the-top, drug-lord-looking gates swung open and we drove through. I rolled my eyes at Sydney, who had her head in her laptop. She nodded, indicating she felt the same way.
“I won’t lie, I didn’t think you’d agree to come.” I reached for the handle.
She climbed out and turned to me. “I want answers just as much as you do, Cooper.”
We were hustled to the back of the property after the butler took our bags. We emerged onto a patio where Sydney nearly tripped in front of me when we laid eyes on the famous Bobby Marrone.
I’d only encountered Bobby once before, when I witnessed him jam a fork in a snitch’s mouth. Of course I had to pretend I hadn’t seen it, as Vinnie had just handed me his cousin for a triple murder earlier that day. I thought he was testing me. I said nothing and stayed alive, but I vowed I would find a way to take down that son of bitch in any way possible. When I came across the Knights’ case, it had Bobby’s name all over it.
“Agent Colin.” Bobby nodded at the seat across from him at a marble table. “Sit.”
I did, and Sydney moved to stand behind me. Bobby snapped his fingers, and some of the men left. Only Vinnie, Sly, and Tommy stayed.
Tommy looked as though he was going to be sick, and this worried me. He knew something I didn’t.
“Please, sweetheart.” He pointed to the seat next to me. “Sit.” She complied without her sass this time. I was than
kful.
“Drink?” he asked as he twirled his ring along his middle finger. The blue stone shone in the light. Everyone knew his ring. It was the family ring, and only the head of the family wore it.
“No.”
“Suit yourself.” Tommy poured himself a drink but spilled a little, which caught my eye, and Bobby’s.
Something was off; this wasn’t good.
“Agent Colin, I felt like we had some kind of an agreement here.” The skin around his eyes crinkled. “Vinnie helps you, you get to take down one of our men, so on and so on. But this is a whole new level for you.”
“I don’t follow.” I saw Tommy give a quick shake of the head.
“Sydney, do you know who I am?”
“No, should I?” She glanced at me then back to Bobby.
“Interesting.” He sighed as he leaned back in his chair. “Vinnie, what is my number one rule?”
Vinnie stood straighter. “Honesty.”
I smirked. “That’s rich, coming from the mafia.” Bobby let out a little laugh, but I noticed his fingers rubbed together. It was something Bobby normally did right before he—
“Shit!” I shouted as Tommy’s head slammed down on the marble table, and his eyes popped wide open. The sound was so horrid that Sydney held her stomach.
Bobby opened his pocket knife and reached inside Tommy’s mouth and yanked his tongue out. Tommy screamed and saliva started to drain from his lips.
“I have rules, don’t care who you are, nephew or not.” He sliced right through the muscle and dropped half his tongue onto the table with a splat. Tommy bucked and wailed but didn’t dare move.
Sydney buried her head in my shoulder as she gripped my jacket for dear life. She didn’t scream, but she was clearly terrified.
“Rats.” He nodded at Sly to take Tommy away. “Send my sister his tongue. She’ll see what her boy really is. Now…” He wiped his hand free of blood, before sitting back down as if nothing happened. “Where was I? Sydney—” He waited for her to raise her pale face. “—answer me something.”
Shit…
“You said you lived with your aunt? Does she have any other kids?”