by Aimee McNeil
The woman they had spoken to at the front desk motioned for his attention from down the hall. He gave her a wave before he opened the door to tell Teddy they needed to head back. He was not expecting the scene that met him. Teddy had the brunette bent over the desk with her shirt unbuttoned, her breasts exposed, and bouncing with each thrust as Teddy entered her from behind. She moaned and looked up to meet Evan’s shocked expression. A gasp escaped her as Evan swung the door closed. “Holy shit.” Evan erupted into laughter as he leaned against the door.
Teddy opened the door a few minutes later, slipping out before closing the door again. “Sorry, man. Give me a heads up next time. The woman at the desk wants us.”
“She’s fucking hot, isn’t she?” Teddy pointed his thumb back toward the closed door. “I love a woman with no morals.”
“Yeah, man.” Evan shook his head. “From what I saw, she looked pretty exceptional.”
“Let’s find Jacks.”
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FOUR
Jackson
Jackson pushed the door open to the conference room and was immediately stung by the glare of Detective Haffey. She was bordered by pictures the familiar faces of John Stodden and his associates pinned to the white board. Papers and files were spread out over the massive table—content Jackson was dying to get his hands on.
“Finley,” Haffey bit off harshly. There was no way anyone in the room could miss the poison in her tone.
“Always a pleasure,” Jackson offered tightly. He was on thin ice as far as Haffey was concerned, and regrettably she called the shots on this case.
“Jackson has a fan club, I see,” Evan whispered under his breath, and Jackson threw him an unamused glare.
“He made an office call but didn’t follow up.” Teddy winked to Evan with a sly smile on his face.
“Shut the fuck up,” Jackson spat quietly. He didn’t have the patience for jokes. He was wound so tight he could feel the pressure on his chest. He needed to tackle this properly or Haffey would send him packing.
“Teddy,” Haffey greeted. “Have you replaced Dane?” She raised her brow when she noticed Evan.
Teddy wrapped his arm around Evan’s shoulders. “Dane got himself shot up. He’s recouping. Meet my baby brother, new to the force and on his first assignment with the professionals.”
“What happened to his face?”
“He’s just clumsy,” Teddy explained.
“Lovely. Do me a favor and keep him out of trouble,” Haffey dismissed before turning her attention back toward Jackson. “Care to enlighten me why you decided to piss all over my case?”
All hope that she would set her anger aside fizzled out, and he was left looking into her fiery gaze. Haffey was a beautiful Latina woman; her dark hair hung loose around her shoulders, and her dark eyes held much wisdom as they glared angrily at him. Jackson had the liberty of discovering the extent of her anger six months ago when he, Teddy, and Dane were in Belhaven for undercover work. Their street smarts made them a draw for the undercover cases, and they were never ones to turn down a chance to kick up some dirt.
Jackson tipped his beer up to his lips and took a long draw. They were out celebrating with a few Belhaven officers for their successful case. Teddy and Dane were waging a game of pool. The bills were lined up on the side of the table, the pot for the winner to claim. One of them was leaving tonight with empty pockets.
Jackson chuckled and shook his head. Neither one of them could refuse a good bet even if it meant losing his rent money. Jackson drained his beer and set it on the bar, nodding to the bartender for another.
“Jacks, you play the winner,” Dane called to him.
“Fuck you, guys. I’m drinking my money,” Jackson said, grabbing the new beer the bartender slid toward him. A few other officers they had gotten to know over the last few weeks were mingling with them. A young office clerk from the Belhaven precinct was hanging off Teddy’s arm, begging for his attention and eating up anything he threw her way. She was a pretty little thing if you liked the desperate type. Teddy loved the attention, and apparently even desperate fit into his type.
Jackson leaned back against the bar and stretched his legs out in front of him. Detective Haffey sat down on the empty stool next to him. She was hard to miss in a room. She had a fierce beauty with her dark, penetrating eyes. Jackson tried to determine what her perfume reminded him of, but he couldn’t quite place it.
“To cleaning up the shit on the streets.” Haffey held up her beer, and Jackson tapped his against hers.
“Cheers.”
“You’re not the betting type?” Haffey nodded toward the pool table where Dane and Teddy were currently arguing about one of them cheating.
“Nope.”
“Afraid to lose?” Haffey teased. It was strange seeing her without the uniform and strict demeanour she exhibited while in rank. She wore tight fitted dress pants that displayed exquisite curves that drew a man’s attention like a magnet. Her white blouse flowed around her but dipped sinfully in the front, revealing she was blessed with all the curves that could cause a man to lose his way.
Jackson didn’t even try to hide the fact he enjoyed the view. He had too many drinks warming his blood to ensure boundaries were kept intact.
“I don’t want to take their money and have them sleep on my sofa because they didn’t know when to quit.”
“So you prefer to brood at the bar?” Haffey pulled at the label of her beer. She was always professional, but Jackson was good at reading people. He knew she was attracted to him; he also knew she was not the type to jump into bed without strings. She had warning labels all over her, but they blurred with each drink.
“I certainly do. It’s working for me so far.” Jackson looked into her eyes and watched her squirm. His libido had taken full control of his actions. The only thing he could think about was stripping the clothes from her body and losing his mind to the pleasures of a woman. “Can I buy you another drink?”
“If I have any more, I may not be able to find my way home.” Haffey bit her lip.
“I’ll make sure you get home.” Jackson waved the bartender over.
***
Haffey barely had her apartment door unlocked when Jackson grabbed her and carried her inside. She squealed in delight before wrapping her arms around his neck. Her lips pulled at the skin of his neck, nibbling his ear and jawline. Jackson laid her down on the sofa.
Grabbing the material of her blouse, he ripped the fabric open. Her moans fueled his blood as he pulled the cups of her bra down and pulled her beaded nipple into his mouth, grazing his teeth along the sensitive flesh. Grabbing the waist of her pants, he pulled them down the length of her legs. He was a man driven by instinct, a need that had to be satisfied.
Haffey ran her fingers under his shirt, exploring his flesh, making his blood rush in hot fury to his groin. Jackson pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it aside. She was already working on his belt. Jackson was barely free of his pants before she was guiding him toward her slick entrance. He reveled in her eagerness. Her hands were frenzied as she pulled at his flesh. He plunged deep inside her, massaging her swollen clitoris as he continued to thrust. Her full breasts bounced with their movements as he continued pushing and pulling at her hot center. Her legs tightened around his waist as she unraveled, screaming out in pleasure.
Jackson grabbed her hands, pinning them over her head. He let himself follow her, emptying his need inside of her, leaving him with only a few seconds of peace until his thoughts started chipping away at the fog.
Haffey pulled him against her, claiming his lips, but he could not bring himself to feel it. He was sated, and as much as he tried to scrape up some warmth toward her, his heart was too broken to try and pass off anything as real. He wasn’t sure how he was supposed to feel, but the only thing he could think of was leaving. He needed to escape before she realized how cold he could actually be. He wanted to spare her that.
She ran her fingers al
ong his shoulders. “That was wonderful.”
Jackson leaned against her shoulder as she ran her fingers through his hair. “Are you hungry? I’m just gonna go get cleaned up and I can order us some food.”
“Sure,” Jackson said, pulling away.
“There’s a great Chinese place down the street.”
She grabbed her shirt and stood up. Stretching up on her toes, she placed a kiss on his cheek before shuffling off toward the washroom. Jackson pulled his pants up, grabbed his shirt, and headed toward the door. He couldn’t stay. He had nothing worth giving her. It was better for him to walk away now before he caused any more damage. He was fine with her hatred. It was the one thing he knew well; anything else scared him.
“I had no intention of running into your guy.”
“That’s bullshit. I know how much you want to get your hands on this case.”
“I was working a lead. The run in with John wasn’t planned; we have a leak in Westford. Someone tipped him off about the meeting.”
“Who?”
Jackson shook his head and frowned.
“Fucking great. You’re telling me that John has one of your men under his skirt.” Haffey rubbed her forehead.
“What does John want with—” Haffey grabbed a file off the table. “Beth and Lexie Wilder, and Stephanie Muse?”
“Beth is actually Mary Connors.”
Haffey’s attention snapped up to Jackson. “John’s Mary? The one accused of killing your father?”
“The very one.” Jackson clenched his jaw.
“How the hell did you find her?” Haffey shook her head in disbelief. Mary Connors was written off long ago as most likely tracked down by John’s men and killed. She disappeared without a trace.
“I found her daughter, and apparently I wasn’t the only one.”
“How old is the daughter?”
“Old enough to make John think she’s his.”
“Did he give you anything? Do you have any idea what he’s planning?”
Jackson shook his head. “I have no idea where they took them. That’s why I’m here.”
Jackson was grateful Evan was smart enough to keep his mouth shut and stay under the radar. Having Evan with them would be more than a slap on the wrist if they got caught.
“We haven’t been able to find anyone willing to talk. John’s got everyone in his mix either too scared or their wallets too padded,” said Shane Sieks. Haffey’s partner leaned back in his chair. He ran his hand over his bearded face before taking a sip of his large cup of coffee. “God, I would kill for a smoke right now.” He shook his head. Haffey grabbed a package of nicotine gum off the table and threw it at him. “My jaw is fucking sore from chewing so much fucking gum.”
“Stop being a baby.” Haffey dismissed him.
“Stodden’s slip up at the diner must be enough to get a warrant to move in.” Jackson tapped his fingers on the table. “We have witnesses that place him there and can testify that he abducted the women.”
“That move was out of character for him. Every move he makes is normally calculated, but then he drops in a diner in Oxford, hours from his location, and shoots the place up and abducts the women with countless witnesses. It doesn’t make sense.” Haffey picks up a pen and clicks it a few times.
“I think we finally found his weakness,” Sieks concludes.
A knock on the door swings their attention. “Excuse me, Detective Haffey?” A young officer walked in with a stack of files.
“What do you have for me, Stevens?” Haffey addressed him.
“Nothing. No one is talking.” Stevens dropped the files on the table, shaking his head.
“What do you mean no one is talking?” A deep scowl creased Haffey’s brow.
“Everyone on the list is either unreachable or denies knowing of John Stodden’s involvement.” Steven’s raised his hands in surrender.
“Fuck…he’s tidying up loose ends.” Haffey hit the table in frustration. She looked up at Jackson. “You may have targets on your backs.”
“Nothing new.” Jackson dismissed the threat. “Do we have possible locations for Stodden?”
“We have a few. John’s been lying low lately, well…until now, anyway. He might have brought them here.” Haffey pointed at an aerial view map, spread out on the table. “We’ve had activity in the last few hours. Officers have seen a few of his men in the area recently.” Haffey placed her manicured finger by a bright red circle. “If I had to place my money on it, I would say he’s here.”
“I believe three abducted women is a good reason to move in.” Jackson leaned against the table. “Think you can get the paperwork together?”
“That’s a big fucking area, Jacks.” Teddy leaned in and viewed the map.
“How many bodies can we get?” Jackson asked Haffey.
She turned toward one of the other officers in the room. “Go gather some numbers for us, Quinton.”
“When?” Jackson asked.
“We can move in tonight.” She looked up at him from under her long, dark lashes. “I need to talk to you alone, Jackson.”
“Well, I’m going to throw my head against a brick wall since I can’t have a smoke.” Sieks stood up from his chair. He gave Teddy a pat on the back as he passed. “Always fun seeing you guys.” Sieks laughed and shook his head before he left the room.
Jackson turned toward Teddy. “Do me a favor and give Dane the heads up that Stodden is cleaning up his mess.”
“Yeah, man.” Teddy spun around toward Evan. “Come on.” He gave Evan a smack on the face with the back of his hand as he walked toward the door.
“Fuck, can’t you guys leave my face alone? It’s still fucking sore,” Evan complained as he followed Teddy.
Jackson looked back at Haffey, who had her brows raised. “Ignore them.” Jackson swung the door shut.
“Just so you know, since you walked in the door, I have been envisioning shoving my knee into your balls.”
“Fair enough, I deserve that.” Jackson gave a quick tilt of his head.
Haffey sighed exaggeratedly. “The only reason I haven’t sent your ass back to Giles is because truth be told, I could use you on this case, and I can honestly also say that the idea of you being in harm’s way has its appeal.”
Jackson crossed his arms and couldn’t help but smile at the bite that this beautiful raven-haired woman had.
“I want to make one thing perfectly clear, Jackson.” Haffey walked around the table and placed her finger against his chest.
“What’s that?”
“This is my case, and I call the shots. You do what I say or you’re out. Do you hear me?”
“Loud and clear.”
“Oh and one more thing.” Haffey’s lips twisted into an evil smirk. Jackson didn’t try to dodge her fist as it came for his face. A flash of pain radiated through his jaw, leaving his lip stinging. He ran his finger along his lip and found it coated in blood. He couldn’t help but be impressed by how hard she hit.
Haffey shook her hand, a painful look etched on her face. “Fuck you, Jackson.”
“Don’t worry, Haffey. I’m already fucked.” They stared at each other for a moment. He could see the wheels turning in her mind. She was trying to figure him out; little did she know there was no point.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FIVE
Dane
Dane opened his eye and stared up at the white ceiling of the hospital room. It was unfortunately becoming a familiar sight. The dark spot in the corner of the ceiling tile always drew his attention. It looked like an old leak had left darkened water rings fanning out across the one tile while the others remained untouched. He shifted his weight, causing pain to shoot up his side. The bullet ripped through muscle, and it ached up his entire side and radiated down his leg. As much as it hurt to move, he was restless and couldn’t stand being left to his own thoughts. Dane was never good at being alone. It scared him to be left only with his thoughts. It would always stir up old memories
that haunted him when his mind was at rest.
He managed to roll over on his side in an attempt to sit when his phone began to ring. Dane moaned in pain as he reached for it on the table beside his bed. Teddy’s face lit up the screen from the time he drank so much he passed out. Dane had taken the opportunity to get a good shot of him. It was a picture that always made Dane laugh. “Have you called to apologize for leaving me alone in the boring ass hospital?” Dane said through clenched teeth as he pushed himself to a sitting position, careful not to pull out his IV.
“Stodden’s been doing some house cleaning. He already got to the witnesses. Keep your eyes open. I’m gonna get Giles to send you a babysitter.”
“Tell Giles not to send Mansfield. He annoys the shit out of me,” Dane complained as he slid off and brought himself up to a standing position. As much as it hurt to move, it felt good to stand. He walked over toward the door and looked out in the hall. It was quiet, only a few nurses talking at the end of the hall. “Why the fuck haven’t you and Jackson sent me any flowers or anything? All the shit I do for you guys.”
“You fucking took all my money last time we played. Buy your own fucking flowers.” Teddy laughed.
“Don’t get killed.” Dane rolled his eyes.
“You either,” Teddy said before he ended the call.
Dane tossed his phone on the bed and raked his hands down his face. He needed to get out of the hospital room. He turned around when his door opened. A man entered, and he immediately knew he was in trouble. “Shit,” Dane said in a rush when the man took out his gun. Dane made his move. His side burned with raw pain as he darted forward and grabbed hold of the man’s arm in an attempt to disarm him. The man shoved Dane back against the wall, the impact jarred him, and he almost lost his grip on the man’s gun. Dane struggled to keep the gun aimed away from him as he tried to gain the upper hand. The pain in his stomach took his breath away.
The door opened again, and his nurse walked into the room. She screamed when she noticed what was happening. The man attacking Dane reared back and knocked her down in an attempt to silence her. Dane took the opportunity to head-butt his attacker. He grabbed the IV that was ripped out of his arm and wrapped the tube around the man’s neck and pulled. The man thrashed in his arms, hitting him in the stomach. Dane held on despite the fact the pain pulled at him like he was being gutted. His eyes watered as he pulled with all the strength he could manage.