AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Rick stands there with his arms folded across his chest, and an ill-amused expression on his face.
“Care to fucking explain,” he demands.
“After you,” Roxy counters, matching Rick’s pissed off stance.
“Okay, let’s take it down a notch, shall we,” Seb reasons, having got himself back under control. Turning to Roxy, he introduces himself. Well, tries to, but she beats him to it.
“I know who you are, Sebastian Roberts, son of Judge Charles Roberts and Lillian Roberts, deceased. One part of the trio that owns Triple R Security, served seven years in the army under the command of Major Richard Cole.” Next, she turns to Jamie. “You are Jamie Morgan, daughter of Dominic and Louise Morgan, previously a nurse who now works for Triple R and the partner of Sebastian. And that makes you Rick Sullivan, son of Robert and Elizabeth Sullivan, one third of the Triple R company, a Lieutenant in the army, served seven years also. Married to Samantha Weston, deceased, and you have a son, Max. Did I miss anything?”
“Yes, you missed out who the fuck you are.” Rick grinds out between clenched teeth.
Stepping in quickly, I block his view of Rox, who stands proud as punch.
“Roxy,” I warn. “Let’s just grab a seat and have a chat like the adults we are.” I grab Rick’s hand, leading him away.
I hear Seb mutter behind me, “How the fuck does she know all that about us?”
Once we are seated, Rick demands to know who she is, and she obligingly tells him.
“Roxanne Whitmore—Roxy to those I consider a friend—I’m one of the youngest and best CID detective sergeants in the Met.”
“Hold on, are you telling me that you’re Lord Chief Justice Whitmore’s daughter?” Seb asks.
“Illegitimate daughter, yes. I’ve been clear about that. I didn’t get where I am today riding the coat tails of my father’s name.”
My father’s opinion about Rox being from the wrong side of the track isn’t based on where she grew up, although she was raised on a council estate, it’s purely based on her legitimacy.
Rick looks uneasy as he listens to Roxy talk about how we met, who her mother was and her climb up the ranks of the police force.
“See, it’s not just you who has contacts in high places, Rick. Just because my father and I aren’t on speaking terms doesn’t mean I don’t know people. So, I’ve done my explaining, now it’s your turn.”
Rick tenses beside me at her words. “There’s nothing to explain. We are simply going away for a few days.”
“Oh, please, and my mother is the damn queen. Jess already told me about the car bomb, brake tampering and a certain Jake Danvers, who is a definite person of interest.”
Rick’s disapproving gaze shoots to me. “Don’t give me that look. You have your friends.” I wave a hand towards Seb and Jamie. “And I have mine.” When he still doesn’t look convinced, I lean over to him, so only he can hear me. “I trust her with my life.”
Turning his head, our lips barely an inch apart, he says, “I don’t trust anyone with your life but me.” My breath catches in my throat, and I struggle to swallow. He turns back to Roxy. “You want to help, then find out everything you can about Jake Danvers, and I want to know the identity of the body you found this morning.” Rox frowns. “Missing a few body parts and his tongue?” Rox nods as realisation blooms.
“Okay, done. But now you do something for me.”
“Go on,” Rick urges.
“I’ll let you walk out of here, but you best keep her safe. You bring her back to me in one piece or I’ll come for you, all of you. I’ll dig up every infraction you’ve ever committed and bring your house down, are we clear?”
I swallow down the little giggle that wants to escape and mentally high five Rox for her balls and having my back.
“I don’t need your threats to ensure her safety, Roxanne, but you have yourself a deal. And just for the record—” He leans over the table, eye to eye with Roxy, and lowers his voice. “She’s mine.”
Rox nods as a satisfied smile slides over her face.
“Err, excuse me, I resent being referred to as some sort ofdeal, and, hello, kick-arse CPO here who can take care of herself, thank you very fucking much.”
Neither of them acknowledges my words, but Jamie has a smug look on her face that irritates the fuck out of me.
It’s only then that Rick’s last words to Roxy make it to my brain. I surge to my feet, but I’m pulled back down instantly.
Before I can protest, the atmosphere in the small cafe we are sitting in changes, becoming tense and eerie, like a mist rolling in, and I turn to see two men in the main atrium.
