“Yes, Sir.”
Adrian grasps my hips once I rise to my hands and knees. His rigid cock slides in gradually, and although I yearn for him to fill me to the hilt, each inch of caress is heavenly.
Pulling it back just as slowly, he then drives it in. Every thrust is harder and faster. This is all for him as one of his hands clutches my ass cheek and the other grips the back of my hair.
With a drawn out growl, he slams into me as far as he can, and owned by his orgasm, he stays still, coming deep inside me. I soon feel his lips on my back.
“I missed you.” His mouth leaves a path of kisses as he pulls out. He lies next to me, and I fall onto my stomach. “I’m consumed by you, Victoria. If there is a thought that doesn’t begin with you, it ends with you.”
“Adrian.” My hand grazes down his arm and rests atop his hip. “You’re in my mind every second, too. When I was standing in that drug dealer’s apartment, you were all I could think about. I was terrified I wouldn’t see you again, and you would be ashamed of me … disappointed in me.”
“I could never been disappointed in you for the job you do, but I can’t lose you, and every day I fear I’m going to.”
“I promise I’ll be more careful. You’re helping me with my control.”
Adrian cups my cheek as a familiar, painful expression stares back at me. “Victoria, I’m not perfect. There are things about my busin—”
My phone rings and vibrates loudly across the nightstand. “I’m sorry, hold on,” I say as I reach past him and grab it. “It’s Sadie. She seldom calls me.” I push the answer button.
“Vic–Victoria,” my sister barely says between a sob. I sit straight up in bed.
“Sadie, calm down, and tell me what’s wrong.”
I cover my free ear with my hand and strain to hear her garbled words between her cries.
“Simon did what to you?” I ask angrily.
Chapter Nineteen
Victoria
“You want me undercover at Hotel Submission and Casino?” I ask Sergeant Bishop while thwarting a panic attack.
Please say I heard him wrong.
“Look, we have someone else on the inside, but I want you in there, too, since you were getting to know the employees.”
“Who? How?”
“Megan is undercover in some high-end poker room. That’s how we’re aware Noah is hanging around there. And we know he’s up to no good, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the Cassano brothers are, too.”
“I didn’t find anything on the Cassano brothers.”
“I know. Even your father dropped his investigation six months prior to his death, but it doesn’t mean they’re innocent.”
“Sonny did what?” This is news to me. My father, Steve, or “Sonny” as everyone called him, told me he was investigating them even the week he died.
“He said he didn’t find anything, but we were tipped off again recently. If we nail Noah Sanders and the Cassano brothers, it will be huge for this command, and that would’ve made your dad proud.” He’s pointing his finger at me with a downward tilt of his head.
“I quit the hotel. They will never hire me back.”
“I don’t want you to go in as a waitress. I want you to play poker.”
How the hell am I supposed to get Adrian to let me play in one of the lounges?
“Uh, I don’t think I can since I’m a previous employee.”
“Well, while the shooting you and your coworkers were a part of is being investigated, you have all kinds of administrative duty time to think of a way.”
“That shooting was justified. Pete was reaching for another weapon.”
He leans back and drags his hands down his face, which is turning a deep shade of red.
“I had the upmost respect for Sonny as I came up the ranks. It’s why I keep tolerating your recklessness, but it stops here, Victoria. You do what you’re told with this case, or you’re finished here.
“Your father asked me to look out for you if anything ever happened to him, so don’t make me have to put your ass on the road to keep it safe.”
I grimace and stand to leave his office.
“Fine. I’ll see what I can do.”
***
“I’m glad you called. How’s the head?” my friend, Cicely, asks after picking me up at the station.
“It’s healing up well. Adrian said he had a meeting this evening, so I thought it would be a good time for us to hang out.”
“My mouth about hit the floor when you suggested shopping.”
“I like looking nice for Adrian. He’s sweet and admires me. He doesn’t miss anything it seems.”
“Lucky bitch.”
“Yeah, I feel pretty lucky.”
“You know I’m playin’, but you’re still lucky to have found a man like that.”
“Lucky and cursed. I have a dilemma and need advice.”
Cicely tucks strands of her blond bob behind her ear.
“Lay it on me, girlfriend.”
“Official law enforcement business, so keep it between us.”
“Always.”
“The department has someone undercover at Submission. I’m torn as to whether I should warn Adrian.”
“If he’s not doing anything wrong, there is no need to worry about it, right? They won’t find anything and will leave.”
I hang my head and become quiet.
“You’re not sure he’s innocent,” she adds, glancing over at me as she drives.
Sighing, I sit up straighter. “I want to believe it, but even as much as I love him, some things don’t jive at the hotel. They pay their waitresses in the lounges a high salary.
“His youngest brother, Simon, is well, let me say he’s about as eager to brandish his weapon as I am, so what is he protecting? Why was my dad undercover there before his death?”
“Have you asked Adrian?”
“No, but when I said I knew he wasn’t doing anything wrong, he didn’t defend himself, and I keep getting the feeling there is something he wants to tell me but can’t.”
“You have to find out. That will help you decide.”
“The next challenge will be convincing him to let me play poker in one of the lounges.” I cover my nervous stomach with my hand. I need to get us off this stressful topic.
“Which stores should we check out? I’m in search of some sexy items to surprise Adrian with tonight.” Looking over at Cicely, I wiggle my eyebrows and grin.
“My girl is turning naughty. I love it.”
“He does, too,” I say with a giggle.
Adrian
“Why did we need to meet here?” Reggie asks as he sits in the chair across from me at Whiskey Down, inside MGM Grand. “You’re not exactly my favorite person at the moment.”
“The feelings mutual, but I had another meeting here, and I wanted to talk to you about Victoria and this shooting incident with the drug dealer.”
Our waitress approaches. “Another Lagavulin scotch please,” I say before I glance at Reg. “Want one?”
He smirks. “You buyin’?”
“Bring another,” I say to her.
Reggie runs a hand through his curly hair.
“I’m shocked Victoria shared that information with you.”
“She has no problem opening up to me.”
He anxiously taps the table a few times with his hand and looks away. “OK, let’s get to the point of this meeting. I don’t need to hear about your relationship.”
“Why the fuck did you let her do it?”
“She’s a grown-ass woman, Adrian. Victoria does what Victoria wants. She’ll put you on the road if you start trying to control her job. That I’m certain of.”
“She could’ve been raped, or worse yet, murdered.”
The waitress returns, and we both become quiet. Reggie takes a drink of his scotch. He’s breathing sharply and still tapping with the fingers of his other hand.
After a long minute, he leans in a little and look
s me in the eyes. “Let’s get something straight. First, I’m not her personal bodyguard for you. Second, you will not tell me what I do in my professional relationship with her. And last, you should be thanking me. I busted in there and took out that asshole before he could hurt her.”
Once I’ve taken a drink, I lean back against the seat and blow out a breath. All the emotions I’ve experienced and fucking feelings I’ve had to deal with since meeting Victoria are too much.
“Thank you. I don’t know how I’m going to deal with her having this dangerous of a job.”
Reggie leans back, too, and scratches his head.
“I know firsthand that caring for her makes that problematic. I’m not sure I can continue as her partner for that reason. Like I said, Victoria does what Victoria wants.
“I have her back the way I’m supposed to on the job, but I can’t sit here and tell you I’ll keep her from getting hurt. It wouldn’t matter what money you offered me. She’s determined to push her limits, and I can’t control that.”
“I guess I was hoping you would have a solution.”
He shakes his head. “You got a lot of nerve. You swoop in and take her right out from under me, yet you want us to sit here like old pals and have me lick your wounds. I got news for you. Your problems became a whole lot worse today.”
My head whips up. “What do you mean?”
“I thought telling our sergeant Victoria went undercover at Submission would get her out of there and away from any danger, but it appears to have backfired.”
“How so?” My nerves are becoming frayed as the helplessness I feel to protect Victoria mounts with every one of his words.
“They’re sending her into your place to play poker. Apparently, Noah Sanders, who we’re investigating, is a regular at your casino.”
“Noah, the Commissioner’s son?”
“Yeah. You shouldn’t have gotten involved with him, Adrian. He’s bad news.”
“But we believe he’s another connection for us to the drug lords in Juárez, Mexico.”
Reggie shoves a finger toward my face. “And I told you to keep her safe and away from that shit. Now, she’s being sent into your place to play poker with that sicko.”
“Victoria can play cards?”
He takes another swig of his scotch.
“You have no idea how well. The guys at the command won’t even play with her anymore. That woman wouldn’t need her job if she would enter tournaments.”
“So, you’re telling me your boss wants her in there to get close to Noah?”
“Bingo.”
“Well, it’s not happening. Go tattle on her again! Tell your sergeant she’s living with me. That will stop it.”
“I thought about it, but there’s a waitress undercover in one of your lounges. I don’t know what name she’s going by. I’m sorry, but it was kept from me, and apparently she was there before Victoria even.”
“Fuck.”
“Yeah, and I don’t know what, if anything, she has uncovered. If they’re building a case against you, do you want me running to my sergeant and telling him Victoria is shacked up with you? Why can’t you see that being with her is jeopardizing her career and safety?”
Reggie stands from the booth. “I get it, Adrian. I know how easy it is to want Victoria, but you could have any woman in this city. Let her go if you truly care for her, and I’ll see what I can do to keep her out of your casino.”
“I don’t only want her, Reggie; I love her.”
“And you can find love again. At least, I’m banking on that for myself, or I’ve got a lonely life ahead of me.”
Victoria
Stepping into the living room, I see Adrian is on the sofa, sipping a drink from a glass tumbler.
“Dang, you beat me home.” I hold up my bags. “I purchased some revealing articles of clothing you should enjoy removing from my body.”
He gives me a faint smile and pats the empty spot next to him. “Please sit. We need to talk.”
“We need to talk? Uh, I have something to discuss with you, too, but from life experiences, that is one of the worst sentences you could say to me.”
Dropping my bags, I walk over and reluctantly take a seat. I’m sulking already, evident from the frown I’m wearing.
Adrian gives me a tender kiss and strokes the length of my hair. My hands go between his, and my heart jumps on the treadmill. “You’re scaring me. Did something happen to someone?”
“Victoria, I’ve been needing to tell you something for a while, and I couldn’t find the right time or the words.”
I swallow and stare at the pained look that has paid me a visit on several occasions. It is more distraught this time and making me nauseated.
“There are things happening at this hotel and casino that are not legal.”
I instinctually attempt to pull away, but he keeps a grip on my hands and closes his eyes. “God, please don’t already retreat from me. Let me explain.”
“Oh, no, I don’t know if you should tell me. I mean–you have to tell me, but I’m a cop, Adrian. A cop!”
“Victoria, I know, and I’m sorry.”
“Dammit, say it. I have to know.”
He exhales slowly and opens his walnut colored eyes that I desperately need to see light in again.
“It’s the lounges. We don’t report the dues we receive from members to play in there or their winnings. So, the players don’t have to claim their high stakes winnings on their own taxes, either. Tax evasion. That’s it.”
“That’s it?” I ask mockingly. “Oh, my god.” Yanking my hand free, I rise and begin pacing. “Prison, Adrian. You go to prison if this comes out. You’re talking about significant amounts of money.”
He hangs his head. “But it’s for a good cause.”
“I don’t care if the money feeds every starving child in America. It’s illegal. A federal crime, and I’m living here with you.” I cover my chest with my hand and try to get some air.
“I can’t believe this is happening. I thought there could be something going on but nothing this monumental. The media that would come with your bust. The prominent people involved. And I would be taken right down with you.”
My finger slings out toward him. “Why didn’t you tell me when you found out I was cop? Why didn’t you tell me then instead of letting me fall more in love with you?”
The fucking tears he’s always able to incite spring forth, but my anger battles with them.
He stands and comes toward me. “Stop,” I say.
“Please, don’t leave me, Victoria. I’m sorry I kept it from you. It was only because I was terrified of losing you. You’re everything to me.”
“Risking my career and freedom is how you show your love? By deceiving me?”
He grabs his hair with both hands. “You have no idea how many times I’ve attempted to tell you. I tried not to fall in love with you, too, but I couldn’t stop it. It was selfish, I know.”
My anger loses its battle and the tears march on. The look of anguish on his face and the feeling of my heart splitting in two is more than I can bear.
“Even if I can forgive your deceit, I can’t be with you. Oh, my god, my father suspected this, and then I trusted you.” I swipe the tears from beneath my eyes and grab my purse. “You’ve succeeded in breaking my heart worse than any other in this world. Congratulations.”
Chapter Twenty
Adrian
“There he is.” I hear Theo’s voice, so I open my eyes and glance to the clock. Four in the afternoon. “Adrian, what happened? Are you sick?”
He’s standing at the end of my bed with Blanca next to him. She’s in a pink skirt and matching suit jacket, but her blonde hair is down and curled today, the style reminding me of Victoria’s.
“What the hell are you doing here looking like that?” I ask her while pointing.
“What the hell? Don’t talk to Blanca that way.” I see him inspect my surroundings. “Are you drunk? Why haven’
t you answered your phone today? I couldn’t even reach Victoria to check on you, so we had to let ourselves in.”
“Don’t fucking say her name. Never again.” I sit up in bed and reach for my bottle of scotch.
“Shit,” Theo mumbles. “Blanca, you should go. I got it from here.”
“Adrian, do you need anything? I can take care of it for you,” she says with sympathetic eyes and a smile.
“No, Blanca, but thank you,” I manage out a bit slurred.
“What happened?” Theo asks after she leaves us alone.
“I told her the truth about the lounges, and she left me.”
“Fuck, why the hell did you do that?”
“Someone else is undercover here. Long story,” I say before I bypass my glass and drink from the bottle.
Theo swipes it from me, spilling it on my bed.
“God, you look like shit. When did this happen?”
“Last night.”
“Have you been drunk for almost twenty-four hours?”
“I don’t know. Have I?” I fall back onto the bed and cover my chest with my hand. It reminds me of Victoria, so I squeeze my eyes shut tightly, the pain not numb enough for me to handle.
“Let me help you into the shower. You’re eating and sobering up. Then, we’re discussing how to fix this. I’m not letting that woman, or anyone else the police have stuck in here, ruin our lives.”
“I don’t care anymore. And our good pals over at the FBI can save the day.”
“You better fucking care. I have a wife and kids to think about, and Mom and Aggie need us now more than ever.”
Theo shoves my legs off the bed. “There is only so much the FBI can do if the cops gather enough evidence against us, so stop talking like a drunk fool and get your ass in the goddamn shower.”
“No.”
“Fine.” Theo leaves the room, so I find my bottle again and take a long drink. Shit, it’s almost empty like my depressing life.
Simon
“Theo said Adrian was drunk off his ass,” I say to Zev as we ride up the elevator to Adrian’s penthouse.
Consumed Page 14