by Mia Taylor
“You mean the minute I found out where your money was coming from, I washed my hands of you!” Luke snarled, refusing to be gaslit by Stephan. “I’m not having this conversation with you again.”
He turned to storm out of the alleyway but Stephan called out to stop him.
“You don’t get it, Luke—you don’t have a choice in this.”
Luke scoffed, spinning back around to look at his father.
“Oh no? Watch my ass as I choose to walk away—again.”
“I’ve had you under surveillance since the day you put on that uniform, Luke,” Stephan told him. Ice formed in Luke’s veins and he gaped at Stephan in disbelief.
“What?” he choked. “Are you sick in the head?”
“No,” Stephan replied evenly. “I’m a businessman, one who protects his investments with everything he has.”
“How charming. Your son is your investment.”
“How much money have I spent on you over the years?” Stephan whined. “Raising a child isn’t cheap.”
“I am so sorry my birth was such an inconvenience to you, Dad.”
“It doesn’t have to be.”
Luke continued to stare at his father, unsure of where this was going.
“Seriously, Dad, get on with it,” he seethed.
“You have disclosed so much to me, you have no idea,” Stephan chortled. “Saved me from making a couple bad deals because of your intel.”
“My intel?” Luke choked. “You illegally spied on me!”
“I wonder if your superiors will see it that way.”
Luke’s mouth parted but no sound came out and he waited, knowing that more was coming.
“It’s a tough situation,” Stephan continued. “You’re leaving the force, after all, without a word to anyone about it. If word came out that I had learned information I had no business knowing, I would say that makes you look suspicious.”
“Not if I turn you in,” Luke growled from between clenched teeth.
Stephan laughed loudly. “You don’t really have any proof, Luke, and let’s face it, if I get arrested for some silly little charge like that, I’m going to be out in minutes. And I’ll probably be a little angry with you. You know how irrational I can get when I’m angry.”
Luke’s dark-lashed eyes grew huge.
“I’m your son, you bastard! How can you do shit like this to me? Have you no sense of family? Love?”
Stephan lost his jovial grin and closed the space between them in three steps, his face inches from Luke’s.
“I’m your father and you had no problem walking away from me. I started watching you because I suspected you were trying to put a case together against me.”
Luke inhaled. “I wouldn’t do that,” he muttered, knowing that he had considered it many times.
But I didn’t. I didn’t want to call any more attention to myself than necessary.
“Well, I couldn’t be too careful, could I?”
“Dad, I am not helping you anymore. Working for the DA is not the same as being a beat cop. My reputation has to be beyond reproach.”
Luke wondered why he was even trying to reason with a man like Stephan Ressling. There was no doubt in Luke’s mind that his father had murdered people, simply because they had gotten in his way.
And I’m expecting him to leave me alone and let me live my life. Fat chance of that happening.
“You just keep doing what you’re doing, son, and no one will be the wiser,” Stephan chuckled, reclaiming the genial expression and stepping back as he clapped Luke on the shoulder. “You’re going to make a fine lawyer. I’m proud of you.”
Luke wrenched his shoulder away from his father’s touch as if Stephan burned him.
“Sure, Dad,” he grumbled, slinking toward the entrance of the alleyway.
“See you tonight, kiddo!” Stephan called and Luke cast him a look over his shoulder.
“Tonight?”
“Sleuth meeting. Didn’t you get the text?”
“Right.”
Luke had already forgotten about it.
I probably won’t be going now that I know he’s going, too. What are they going to do? Throw me out?
He’d have to do a lot worse than ghost a meeting for that to happen.
“Have good last week, slugger!” Stephan called after him.
Luke hurried out of the laneway and brushed past the dead-eyed goon. It wasn’t until he let himself into the driver’s side of his Altima that Luke finally exhaled.
He hadn’t even realized he’d been holding his breath.
One day, he swore to himself. One day, I’ll be completely free of that man.
Luke wondered why he continued to lie to himself. There was no escape from Stephan Ressling. He had tried to get away, taking on a righteous path, and Stephan had managed to pervert his intentions. As long as Stephan Ressling was alive, Luke knew he’d never be out from under his thumb.
Chapter Two
The Worst Day Ever
So stupid. Why did I ever agree to this? Sasha is insufferable under normal circumstances. What kind of masochist agrees to be her maid of honor?
Apparently, Lily was a bigger pushover than she had given herself credit for, a fact that was never more obvious as she bolted down the sidewalk, her arms weighed down with sample books.
Has Sasha done anything herself? When did I become wedding planner, personal shopper and PA?
Idly, Lily wondered if that was exactly why Sasha had asked her to be maid of honor—her inability to say no.
Whatever. She’s getting married in a month. You can endure the bridezilla for a month.
Lily had certainly endured worse torture in her life than a highly emotional bride-to-be, but she reminded herself that she’d been reciting the same mantra to herself for a year, since Sasha had announced her engagement.
What’s the point of marrying a trust fund baby if you can’t hire someone to plan your wedding?
Lily was beginning to wonder if she was involved in a BDSM relationship with her childhood friend—with Sasha as the sadist.
“Ah! There is the infamous Lily Brenner!” Charles cried when she pushed her way into the bakery. Lily flashed him a warm smile but it didn’t quite touch her eyes. She was far too tired to exercise many more muscles.
“Are the cupcakes ready, Charles?” she asked, setting her bags down at a table near the window. She hoped he’d said no, so that she could have a couple extra minutes—not only to catch her breath but to be away from Sasha, too.
“Teresa is just finishing them now. I snuck an extra red velvet in there for you,” the proprietor winked, and this time, Lily’s smile was genuine. “Make sure Sasha doesn’t get her little hooked claws into it.”
“You’re going to get me fat before Sasha’s wedding and she’ll banish me for life.”
Charles snorted disbelievingly.
“Unlikely,” he replied. “She’ll probably be thrilled. It can’t be easy having someone more beautiful than you as your bridesmaid.”
Lily blushed at the compliment.
“Oh, stop,” she giggled. “Fatten me up, then, but I’m sending her to you when she loses it. She’s got a list of dos and don’ts for the wedding party.”
Lily wished she was kidding but Charles laughed anyway.
“I’ll take all the blame,” Charles agreed, chuckling. He had known both Sasha and Lily since they were children, the bakery only two blocks from where they had grown up. Sasha hadn’t wanted to use the neighborhood shop but Lily had snuck in orders to him anyway. Charles had been struggling for as long as she could remember. If she could throw him business, she would.
“Are you going to be able to manage all that without dropping the cupcakes?” Charles demanded, eyeing her mound of items speculatively. “Maybe you should leave some stuff here and come back for it.”
Lily grimaced at the thought.
She could already hear Sasha freaking out when Lily arrived without everything she had asked for a
nd she didn’t want to make two trips. Her life had been in constant running mode for eleven months. Between work and Sasha, there had been barely any time to breathe.
“No,” Lily grunted. “I’ll take everything but I’ll call a gypsy for a ride.”
Charles sighed.
“I’d offer to drive you, honey, but I’m up to my eyeballs with orders right now.”
“No, it’s fine,” Lily assured him, nodding across the street. “The bank is right there. I’ll grab some cash and flag a cab.”
“You’re a good egg, Lil. Always helping those who need it most.”
Lily blushed.
“Why do say that?” she asked shyly.
“Most kids your age are taking that Upster or calling a taxi. You’re trying to help the working poor by taking illegals cabs.”
“Ubers,” Lily corrected him, giggling. “And why not? Everyone needs to make money. I get that.”
“You know what you need, don’t you?” Charles said and Lily could hear the lilt in his voice.
“Don’t start, Charles…”
“A rich man who either drives you around everywhere or has a chauffeur drive you around.”
“Well, the next time one of those wanders in here, you have him give me a call, all right?” Lily joked.
“Weddings are a good place to meet people,” Charles suggested. “Especially country club weddings. I’m surprised that Sasha hasn’t set you up with one of Ronnie’s friends.”
Are you kidding? That would mean exposing her fiancé’s rich friends to her poor upbringing. There will be no rich men in my future.
In fact, Lily could not foresee any men in her future.
At least not until this wedding divorces me.
“Can I leave my stuff here while I run across the street?” Lily asked, purposely ignoring his jest. Charles nodded, his kindly eyes gleaming mischievously.
“I have a good feeling about what’s coming for you in the future, Lily,” Charles called out as she moved toward the door.
Oh, that’s nice, Lily thought with some sarcasm. I could use some goodness after today. This has been the shittiest day ever.
It wasn’t just the endless running around which had broken Lily’s spirit that day, but everyone had seemed unusually rude as she jousted from one place to another, answering Sasha’s calls and trying to remain calm.
And it’s not even close to being over. I still have to endure Sasha’s whining over the samples for the next two hours.
She could already feel a headache starting to brew at the base of her skull.
Lily pushed her way into the small credit union across from LoveDove’s Bakery and made her way to the ATM. As she neared the machine, she realized it was out of order.
Of course it is. That fits with this day, doesn’t it?
Helplessly, she looked around, her eyes traveling out onto the street. As if on cue, a uniformed police officer wandered by, his dark eyes falling on her limpid hazel ones and a strange shiver slithered down her spine when their gazes locked.
Time seemed to freeze, and although he was still walking, he didn’t seem to be moving. A slow, impish smile formed on his lips and Lily found herself mirroring his expression.
“Excuse me, miss? Can I help you?”
Begrudgingly, Lily turned her eyes toward the speaker, a security guard who eyed her skeptically.
The only nice part of my entire day ruined. But at least I got a smile from a handsome police officer. That’s not something that happens all the time.
“No, I just came in to use the ATM, but it’s down,” she explained. The guard’s face softened when he realized she wasn’t loitering.
“Oh. Yes, well, there’s another one at the other entrance,” he informed her, but Lily’s eyes moved toward the door as she realized the cop had entered the bank.
“Miss?”
“Hm?” she asked, her eyes fixed on the dark-haired cop.
“Did you hear—”
His words were abruptly cut short by the sound of gunfire, followed by a round of screams as glass crashed around the building.
“What the hell?” Lily breathed, her eyes darting around in shock. Even though she understood what was happening, it took some time for her body to respond when the masked gunman screamed for her to get down on the ground.
Paralyzed, she stared at them, her tall frame unmoving until one of the four assailants turned toward her, stalking after her with long, deliberate strides, the butt of the gun raised.
“I said, get on the ground!” he growled from behind his balaclava. “GET DOWN BEFORE I BLOW YOUR HEAD OFF!”
The words should have been enough to motivate her but Lily’s brain still did not compute and he was almost at her.
Before he could smash her terrified face with the weapon, Lily was tackled to the ground and pinned beneath a blue uniform.
“We’ve got a cop!” Lily heard the gunman over her yell. “What do you want me to do with him?”
“Just leave him,” a woman replied and Lily peeked out from under the heavy body who remained over her as a shield.
“Just take what you guys need and get the hell out of here,” the officer muttered. Beads of sweat formed under Lily’s arms and she realized she was trembling. Very slowly, she became aware of her surroundings.
Everyone was cowering, their hands over their heads, refusing to look at the four robbers.
All except the cop, who sat up, his body a fortress for Lily in that moment of terror.
“Nobody asked you anything!” the nearest gunman yelled. “Get down before I kill you!”
“You aren’t going to kill anyone,” the officer replied in an even tone and Lily gasped.
Why isn’t he just doing what he’s told?
“Stop talking,” she begged. “Just lay down on the ground.”
She wasn’t sure she’d be able to handle the trauma of seeing something happen to the man who had risked himself to protect her.
“I hate to tell you this,” the officer continued, a note of near boredom in his voice, “but the CPD has already been dispatched. Someone rang the silent alarm.”
And then the sound of distant sirens filled the room, causing a ripple effect of murmurs among all those laying low.
“Who?” one of the men yelled. “Which one of you sounded the alarm?”
“You morons have been at this all over the city,” the cop snapped. “Everyone has been on high alert. How long did you think you were going to get away with this?”
“Oh, please,” Lily whispered. “Stop talking. You’re going to antagonize them.”
Suddenly, he whipped his head around, his deep eyes resting on her face, and Lily found herself oddly reassured by the look on his face.
“You’re going to be fine,” he promised. “Trust me.”
“Stop talking to her!”
The butt of the assault rifle came down without warning, the sickening crack smashing the uniformed man’s face, and Lily screamed as blood poured from his mouth.
“Who’s the moron now?” the gunman jeered. Lily slid over to him, glaring hatefully at the robber, but to her utter shock, the cop sat up again like the blow had not harmed him in the least. Blood poured from his face but there was no evidence of pain in his expression.
“Considering the number of cars outside right now,” the policeman intoned, “I’d still say you are the morons.”
“We have to get out of here!” the masked woman yelled. “D, did you get everything?”
D did not answer and the female hurried around the side of the counter to find him, leaving only the angry gunman alone with the patrons.
“How do we get out of here?” the con demanded, raising the rifle to his face, but to his credit, the bleeding man at her side did not flinch.
“You don’t. You should have gone when I told you the alarm had been sounded,” he replied. “You’re J, right?”
Lily saw the gunman’s eyes bulge from his hood and he advanced toward them, the
gun at his shoulder.
“How the hell did you know that?” he hissed. Lily would have laughed at his stupidity if the situation was not so dire.
He’s the dumbest one out of all of them. That’s why the cop is focusing on him.
She wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. Not only was he stupid, he was unstable.
“Look at me, J. I’m a cop. You’ve robbed at least three banks that we know of. Witnesses tell us what they hear. Two women, two men, one man named ‘J’, the other ‘D’.”
The rifle lowered slightly but J’s expression was still easily readable. The scream of the sirens was so close, Lily half expected someone to drive through the now-shaded windows.
“I’m Luke, J,” the cop explained. “Luke Ressling.”
The hairs on the back of Lily’s neck raised and she realized her breaths were escaping in short, jagged rasps.
“Why don’t you put the gun down, J,” Luke said and J snorted.
“Why should I?” J demanded.
“Because no one is going anywhere and you’re jumpy as hell,” Luke replied evenly. “You wouldn’t want it going off accidentally, would you?”
J glowered.
“You’re a damned beat cop!” he spat. “Don’t try to negotiate with me!”
“You’re going to need to negotiate with someone, J,” Luke retorted. “It may as well be me. At least we’re face to face. You have someone to speak with directly, right? Wouldn’t you rather look into the eyes of someone you’re making demands of? You know I’m not surrounded by a bunch of other cops, trying to blow your head off.”
J eyed him warily, his eyes darting back over all the others before slowly lowering the gun. The other three robbers rejoined them, black bags overfull.
“J, why are you talking to them?” one of the women yelled. “We need to get out of here!”
“You won’t get far,” Luke promised. “The bank is officially surrounded.”
“To the roof,” D snapped, nodding upward. He turned his attention back to the patrons. “Nobody move!”
Lily watched as J turned to run after his crew as they disappeared into the back room.