Page 56 of Diamonds in the Mud

The house was filled with stuffy items, furniture from past centuries mixed with newer items. There was no real style to anything, and it had an almost chaotic atmosphere.

After letting myself out, I hiked back to my car. Since it was on the way, I drove by the Cordova’s place, which sat not too far off the road. All the lights were off, so I kept going back into town.

I returned the car to its garage and changed into my normal street clothes. Then I made my way towards the bar, knowing the gang would be there.

When I walked in, to my shock, Evelyn was sitting on Declan’s lap, laughing, her casted arm held tight up against her body. There were bruises all over her face and legs.

I wanted to ask what in the hell was going on, but instead, I acted like I was brooding and went to sit down in my usual spot. Izzy was there and within minutes she was all over me.

“I heard you’ve been slumming it with Rayne.” She chuckled. “That bitch has always gone after men out of her league.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” I tried to joke. What I wanted to do was walk away, but Randy was right. I was here to do a job. I should have used Izzy to get as much information as possible long ago.

Wrapping my hand around her waist, I pulled her closer. “How’s that going?” I asked, motioning towards Declan and Evelyn.

She sighed and leaned against me, and I could tell and smell that she was seriously wasted.

“I think they’ve both learned their lesson.” She sighed as she brushed her fingers through my hair. “Have you?”

I tilted my head slightly. “Me?” I asked.

She smiled. “Reapers don’t fuck cops.”

Everything in my body tensed as a light bulb went off over my foggy head.

Shit. How fucking far off had I been?

Yeah, of course, it had been Izzy who had shot up Rayne’s place.

She would have been jealous the second she’d found out I was with Rayne.

“Yeah,” I said, trying very hard not to clench my back teeth. “That was you?

She laughed and shook her head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I could see the truth in her eyes.

She straddled my leg and started grinding it slowly. “How about we head to my place? I know just how to scratch that itch you have.”

Thankfully, just then, Ben walked over and grabbed Izzy’s arm.

“Give us a minute,” he told her and yanked her off my leg.

Izzy frowned at Ben, then pouted as she walked back towards Nadia and a few other Reapers playing pool.

“What’s up?” I asked.

“I might need you for another job tomorrow night,” Ben said, sitting down beside me. “Felix wants Declan to tag along but I still think he has to cool off. He almost blew the last run I took him on.”

“Sure,” I said, trying hard not to sound excited. “Same time tomorrow?” I asked.

Ben shrugged. “What time do you get off work?”

I thought about it for a second. “I have the day off.”

Ben nodded. “Then we’ll leave around eight tomorrow night.”

I nodded. “Gear?” I asked.

Ben ran his eyes over me. “What you’re wearing is fine. We’ll take the bikes for part of the journey.” I nodded and he stood up. “Can you swim?”