Page 79 of Above ’N’ Beyond

“I think that’s a good idea.” Before she got more rug burn on her ass.

Jimmy eased out of her, his gaze flicking momentarily to the pendant lying between her breasts, then stood and held out his hand. While she knew it was only to help her to her feet, she stared a moment before placing her hand in his. The symbolism wasn’t lost on her. She was giving him more than just her hand. She was giving him her heart. Her trust.

He tugged her to her feet, then went into the bathroom and closed the door.

While she’d hoped he’d say the words she wanted to hear—that he loved her—she was content to wait. After all, she hadn’t said them, either, only thought them.

A knock sounded on the front door. Bella looked at the clock on her bedside table. “Who in the world?” It was eleven thirty.

She put on her robe, tying it around her waist as she went to the door. Jax and Gnocchi were already there, Gnocchi with his tail wagging and Jax with his head hung low.

Bella looked through the peephole. Marco stood on her porch. She backed away from the door. He’d only been in her house twice before, always with Tony and never pushing midnight. Something was wrong. She picked up Gnocchi, then opened the door.

Without waiting for an invitation, he brushed past her, garnering a low growl from Jax.

“Is he here?” Marco snarled, his gaze sharpening as he searched the living room.

She closed the door. Judging by his demeanor, she wasn’t entirely sure at this point she’d done the right thing by letting him in. “Is who here?”

“Santoro.” He peered down the hall toward her bedroom.

“That’s not your business, and unless there’s something wrong, I’d like you to leave.” She reached for the knob, about to insist on it.

“There’s something wrong all right.” He leaned in, giving her a whiff of his alcohol-laden breath. “I told you Jimmy Santoro isn’t who he says he is.”

Jax hugged Bella’s side, uttering another warning growl, louder this time.

“Fine.” She hugged Gnocchi tighter to her chest. “Tell me who he is, then leave.”

The look on Marco’s face turned to one of joy. Evil, malevolent, twisted joy. “I don’t know his real name, but it’s not Jimmy Santoro. What I can tell you is that he’s a cop.”

“That’s ridiculous,” she snapped. As Jimmy had warned her, Marco had to be out of his mind with jealousy. “He was in prison with Tony. He saved Tony’s life.”

“Don’t take my word for it.” He snorted, then looked over her shoulder. “Ask him.”

Jimmy had put on his slacks but nothing else. Despite his gentleness with her, she’d always assumed there was a dark, dangerous side to him. Now she saw it in all its deadly glory. Every muscle in his upper body was taut. His eyes had narrowed to slits, and his jaw clenched repeatedly.

“Jimmy? What in the world is he talking about? You’re not a cop. You can’t be.” Still, he didn’t look at her, didn’t say a word as he kept his focus locked on to Marco. The deadliness of his expression only deepened.

Her stomach somersaulted with nausea. The ramifications were too awful to contemplate, and her head spun. Dear God. Was Marco telling the truth? Was Jimmy a cop? That would mean—

Being careful to skirt around Jax, whose back hairs stood on end, Marco edged closer to Jimmy. “Since he won’t tell you, I will. A friend of mine in Sing Sing checked you out. Another inmate said he was paid by someone to pick a fight with Tony. Your boyfriend here is either a paid snitch, or he’s one of them. A fucking fed. So which is it?”

When Marco pulled a gun from the small of his back, Jimmy moved so quickly Bella barely caught it right before she blinked.

Jimmy lunged at Marco, knocking him off his feet and sending the gun skittering into a corner. Marco landed on his back just before Jimmy plowed his fist into Marco’s face.

“Stop it, both of you!” Bella screamed, but she might as well have been talking to a frying pan.

Gnocchi squirmed in her arms, trying to get free. Jax barked, circling the two men as they grappled on the floor, then darted into the fray to try and clamp his mouth on Marco’s leg or arm.

Marco managed a punch to Jamie’s stomach, then pushed him aside. He shot to his feet and started kicking Jimmy in the ribs.

Bella’s heart raced. She didn’t know how to stop the fight. All she could do was watch, horrified.

They’ll kill each other.

Jimmy grunted from the blows to his side. He grabbed Marco’s ankle and yanked. Marco fell backward. His head whacked against the floor with a sickening thud.