Secrets in Sunset Beach 2

by Ivy Riggs

  "Where're your condoms, Boy Scout?" she asked, already breathless.

  "In my bag," Derick replied, cursing himself for leaving it by the door.

  She grinned at him and pushed him off her, getting to her feet. "I'll go get them," she told him, voice a low purr as she bent over his legs, hands on his knees, and kissed him in a way that made Derick want to grab her and throw her down all over again. She straightened, wrap falling down around her legs again, and Derick's fingers flexed, wanting to tear it off her. "Get naked," she called, walking away.

  Derick grinned at her retreating back. "Yes, ma'am!"

  She laughed, high and mock offended. "Do not call me ma'am!"

  Chapter Ten

  J immy looked up as the doors opened, giving a nod of recognition to his buddy Mike as he entered. He was dressed to the nines in a crisp black suit, a black shirt underneath, which almost hid all of his tattoos. Jimmy stood and went to the separating wall between his table, where his lawyer sat, and the empty rows for witnesses to the hearing.

  "Hey, man," he greeted, shaking Mike's hand.

  "Hey," Mike replied with a nod.

  "Any word?"

  Mike looked around the room, which was sparsely populated. But it was still early, and there was time before the hearing for others to arrive. Jimmy had been told by his lawyer that the prosecution was going to bring in Rod Montgomery and that they knew who had turned him in. Jimmy couldn't wait to see the sorry son of a bitch who had ratted him out.

  "Got a few leads," Mike said, leaning in close so they couldn't be overheard. "Your cousin seems awful squirrelly."

  Jimmy's eyes narrowed. "Derick?" he guessed. Mike nodded. Of course, that goddamn kid had been the one. He always thought he was so much better than Jimmy, always judging his line of work, with his stupid moral high ground and backhanded comments.

  Jimmy scowled, folding his arms across his chest. The doors opened again, letting in Rod Montgomery, who walked into the room like he owned the whole building. Probably did, rich fucker like him owned everyone. Behind him, Jimmy saw Derick and Jake enter, and his gaze darkened further.

  It took one look. Their eyes met and Derick's cheeks flushed guiltily, and he lowered his eyes, hurriedly ushering Jake into a row and taking his seat behind Rod. And Jimmy didn't miss how Derick's eyes lingered on Mike, darkening with hatred and distrust.

  It was him. Jimmy would bet his bottom dollar.

  "No matter what happens," Jimmy told him, "make sure he knows I know. And make sure he understands the consequences of turning his back on his family."

  Mike grinned at him and looked over his shoulder to give Derick a wide, toothy smile. "You got it, boss," he purred, and Jimmy nodded, turning away as the bailiff called for everyone in attendance to rise for the judge.

  The hearing passed swiftly – for all his lawyer could do, there wasn't much he could deny. Jimmy had been basically caught red-handed trying to sell the car, and a Corvette like Rod's wasn't exactly known for its popularity.

  "Bail is set at five hundred thousand," the judge decided with a bang of his gavel. Jimmy snarled to himself and threw a glare over his shoulder at Derick.

  Derick couldn't meet his eyes. Fucking coward.

  "Don't worry, boss," Mike told him, as the bailiff came to collect him. "We'll round up the funds and get you out before you know it."

  Jimmy nodded.

  "And," Mike added, "we'll take care of that… extracurricular."

  "Good," he snapped. He'd already spent months in a goddamn holding cell; he could wait a little longer. It was a shame he wasn't going to be there to watch Derick get his ass handed to him, but once he was out, there would be plenty of time to give his beloved cousin a little one-on-one tutelage.

  That's what family was for, after all.

  Chapter Eleven

  "F ive hundred thousand," Jake said with a low whistle. "Jesus."

  Derick nodded, shivering at the look in Jimmy's eyes when he'd entered the room. He knows. He had to know. Derick ran his hands through his hair, blowing out a harsh breath and tensed further when, outside the building, Rod approached him.

  He fixed Derick with a flat look, neither happy nor annoyed at him being there. He sighed. "You did a good thing today."

  "I'm just sorry about…" Derick trailed off, gesturing vaguely behind them at the courthouse.

  "All's well that ends well, I suppose," Rod replied. "I…" He paused, giving Jake a meaningful look. Jake was good at reading looks like that and promptly made himself scarce, telling Derick he would meet him by the car. Rod waited until he was out of sight before he continued, "I don't appreciate knowing you've been sneaking around with my daughter. I understand you're both adults, but I expect a certain amount of transparency and respect from Heather's boyfriends and it is in your best interest to accept that you are not the exception."

  Derick winced, nodding, rubbing the back of his neck. "I understand, Sir," he said quietly. "I'm sorry."

  Rod nodded, once. Short and sharp. "Good. I expect this will be the last I hear about certain people and certain underhanded affairs." Derick winced again and hoped the same. "I'll see you around, Derick."

  "Yes, Mr. Montgomery. Thank you," Derick said, glad that Rod wasn't going to give him a talking to about his daughter's honor or anything like that. He was sure Heather would find it endlessly entertaining, but Derick had had enough of being anxious and was glad Rod seemed to want to be adult about the whole situation.

  Rod gave him another nod and left the building. Derick followed him outside. It promised to be another bright, beautiful day in paradise. And with Jimmy officially sentenced, Derick felt a weight come off his shoulders. He sighed in relief.

  Until a black Jaguar pulled past him, the windows rolled down. Mike was in the passenger seat.

  They drove by slowly, and Mike gave him a small wave, his teeth showing in his wide smile.

  Derick swallowed and watched them drive by. That weight came back as the car disappeared around the corner and felt heavier than ever.

  He jumped as his alarm on his phone pinged, notifying him that he should be getting ready for his shift at the Hummingbird. He hurried to the car and drove Jake home, then to work. There were already hopefuls gathered around the entrance, begging to be let in early. He saw Chasity among them and gave her a wave as he circled around the building and came in through the back door.

  Heather was there already and greeted him with a warm smile and an affectionate kiss on the cheek. "You ready?" she asked, eyes gleaming in anticipation of another busy night.

  Derick smiled at her and nodded, tucking his anxiety away until he could take it out and examine it later. Heather went to the front doors, unlocking and opening them, letting in the first of their usual crowd. Derick smiled, recognizing more than a few familiar faces; his regulars who were always generous with their tips and their time.

  Just another day in paradise.

  Check out “Secrets in Sunset Beach - Book 3” in the Kindle store.

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