He says nothing, just looks at me.
“How many actually get convicted? How many of them having something like ‘they come from a good family’ said about them and get off easy. For fuck’s sake, Z will end up with a longer sentence than he will.” I pause, shaking my head. “You know aswell as I do, if anything goes to trial, I’ll have to tell my side, and they’ll pick me apart because of who my family is.”
He exhales as he looks at me, knowing I’m right. “I can’t be here.” He pauses, looking back at me again. “I won’t say anything.”
“How do I know I can trust you?”
“You just said you knew you could.” He chuckles.
I can’t help but roll my eyes, turning around and walking back towards the kitchen bar counter.
“About sex, not about your morality.” Placing my hands on the counter, for some reason not wanting to watch him walk out of the apartment.
His breath on my neck causes a slight jolt in me as he whispers in my ear. “You have no idea about my morality, Sketch.”
Turning around, I look up at him, smirking and laughing slightly. “You’re a cop. You have an oath to protect.”
“You’re right.” He nods his head.
“If I even think you’re going there, I will call him and let him know.”
“I’m not going.”
“How can I be sure?”
“Cause then I’d have to explain how I know. And if I do that…” he trails off, chuckling to himself, “death.” Leaning into me, he speaks directly into my ear. “And between you and me, for what he was planning, that motherfucker deserves to die.”
“You’re only saying that because you just fucked me.” Rolling my eyes again.
“No,” shaking his head. “I’m saying that in addition to just fucking you. And remember, it’s a onetime thing. I have no reason to lie about it.” His lips come down, pressing against mine hard as he pulls me closer to him. His hands roam my body as I feverishly kiss him back. Needing one last taste.
His hands resting on the curve of my ass, picking me up and placing me on the counter.
Pulling away, we’re both panting as he smirks. I’m sure he can read the confusion all over my face.
“I’m not calling anyone.” He presses his lips to mine once more. “I’m not going there myself.” One more kiss, but this one feels different from the rest. “Trust me, it’s not just this right now. I have always done everything in my power to not arrest him.”
“Why?”
He pauses, looking at me again, almost as if he has to arrange his thoughts to figure out exactly what to say.
“You have a loyalty to him?” I ask, surprising myself. Slowly, he shakes his head, but a smirk still lingers on his face. “To us…” I trail, realizing it’s not just Z, it’s always been the entire family.
“Don’t tell anyone.”
He smirks at me before turning and walking out the door.
I’m still not completely sure that he won’t go after Z; he seemed pretty convincing, but I’ve been misled before.
Looking down at my phone, I contemplate whether I should callZ and warn him just in case, but I can already hear the lecture he’s going to give me when he finds out why.
So instead, I just call Ella.
* * *
Ella showed up an hour after Eli left, pizza in hand. Now, she’s been staring at me for the last 15 minutes, or at least I’ve been aware of it for the last 15 minutes, trying to make sure I’m okay. If only she knew that I’ve been going over today in my head since she got here.
“I’m fine.” I finally gasp out to her.
