Our eyes lock as she takes a step closer to me, closing the distance, and she reaches her hand up to my face, rubbing her fingers along my lips.
“It may be a giveaway if you go out there with lipstick on your face.”
“Yeah, probably a little more noticeable than how fucking hard you’ve made me.”
It’s obvious when she’s back. Not just because I can sense her, but because all the heads on the opposite side of the table stare off.
* * *
And now I’m sitting with the cops around the table, having another drink.
“Why is it always the ones you should stay away from who look like that?” Matthews asks as he shakes his head.
I want to hold his head under the water until the bubbles stop.
He stands up. “I’m gonna go try, anyway.”
“That’s a dumb idea.” The words are out before I realize I’m speaking, and everyone’s wondering why.
“Yeah,” Collins laughs, “her brother finds out, he’ll slit your throat.”
“Please,” he laughs, looking around. “I’m not afraid of Z.”
Everyone around the table looks at him with a shocked expression.
“You should be. How many times have we had something we’re sure is him, but we have no way to prove it?” Sherman speaks for the first time tonight. “Isn’t that right, Leech?”
Possibly the thing I hate most about being a cop is how everyone feels the need to go by their last names. I hate mine. I hate what it represents.
“Why are you asking me?”
“You grew up with him.”
“I did. You think what you’ve seen is brutal. All of that pales compared to what he’ll do to protect his sister.” I’m telling myself that just as much as I’m warning him. The body wediscovered a few months ago, the one I know was Z’s handy work, and Drew just confirmed, comes to mind.
Matthews continues to stand, downing his shot before moving over.
My mind spins on how to convince him to stay away.
“The funny part is, you probably don’t have to worry about her brother as much as you think.” The rest of the table looks at me. Matthews pauses, waiting for me to finish. “You ever heard how Caroline was?” A couple of my older coworkers look down, laughing to themselves as Matthews waits for me to finish. “I’ll just put it this way: most people were more afraid of pissing Caroline off than the MC. Hell, even the MC was afraid of pissing her off.”
Matthews laughs again, shaking his head. “Worth a shot.”
I’m about to ask him what his wife would think when he leaves the table, walking over to where she’s the only one dancing on the floor. The entire table watches as she turns, looking at him. I have to maintain any sort of composure as he leans into her, whispering in her ear. Her brows furrow as she moves closer towards him, as if he’s not making any sense.
Pulling away, she laughs, not sweetly, but based on her posture and her face, I know she’s mocking him.
“Oh, he’s pissed.” Collins laughs as Matthews turns around, his face pursed as he storms back over to us. She waves to him as he leaves.
“I warned him.” Before turning around, her eyes catch mine for a second as she smirks.
“Fucking psycho bitch.” Matthews mutters as he flops into the chair across from me.
“What’d she say?” someone asks.
“She’s a fucking bitch.” He repeats, and as I sip my drink, I realize he’s talking to me.
“Huh?” I’m fighting the urge to punch him. “Why’s that?”
