AllFreeNovel
Share Us
But that didn’t work the other way, did it? Unless she told him something was utmost for her well-being. She couldn’t imagine him ever resisting anything that would assure her welfare.
Like every part of her was a tingling, exposed nerve, his words vibrated everywhere. They’d had sex, but it didn’t matter, she could feel herself growing slick for him again.
“It’s seductive,” she murmured. “Your world. Being a part of it. I didn’t realize before that I… it’s exciting and terrifying. I’ve done things with you, I… I’m not scared of it. Why am I not scared of it?”
“Where are you always safe?”
“With you,” she said.
It could only be him. Had to be him. She hadn’t felt that way with Evander. She didn’t fear Connel or his world; their connection was true. Instinct. Out of the stratosphere compared to anything she’d experienced with the man they called Vex.
“Do you believe that when you say it?”
“Yes,” she said, losing herself in him. “I always feel safe with you.” And she didn’t fear him. Maybe she’d have lounged there in that reality a little longer, if it wasn’t for the conversation with her father intruding. When she sat up, he let her hand move back to his torso. “They know you’re colluding with councilmen. He wanted their names. My father wanted to know if I had access.”
“To me?”
“I told him he did a lot of talking about doing the right thing. That it wasn’t the right thing to abuse someone’s trust. I told him it was unethical and went against my professional integrity to discuss anything I saw or heard in relation to my work. I told him it wasn’t my responsibility to tie bows for the cops.” Her attention floated away. “I forgot all about… I guess that’s why he was still pissed in the hospital.” A whisper of a laugh crossed her lips. “He said I’d always be protected in this city. Then the next day, I…” Sinking down, she nestled against him, resting her head on his shoulder, by his stag head tattoo. His arm curled around to lose his fingers in her hair. “He said if I withheld, I was an accessory.”
His digits clenched. “He threatened you?”
“I don’t think he meant it like that. He was just trying to scare me. I called him paranoid… It’s ridiculous, right?” she said, turning her lips against his skin. “He wants the names of city officials I’ve seen you interact with and I refuse to cooperate, but I tell you every detail of my conversation with him. Maybe he didn’t raise me so smart after all.”
His fingers spread a little more against her scalp, massaging his entitlement into her. She closed her eyes, appreciating his warmth and acceptance.
“Sonofabitch,” he murmured.
Her eyes opened. “What are you—”
“Shit,” he said and got up, forcing her to move aside.
“What?” she asked as he picked up his cellphone from the nightstand. “What is it?” He dialed. “Baby?”
“I don’t want you alone with him,” he said as he raised the phone to his ear.
“Alone with who?”
“Your father,” he said, then raised the microphone. “One second…” His eyes widened as they met hers. “Macushla? Acknowledge my order.”
“Yes, okay,” she said, still flummoxed. “I won’t be alone with him.”
He raised the phone and started for the doorway. “They’ve got the superintendent.”
The words hit her as he exited. Got the… she didn’t know who he was talking to, but what he’d just said implied…
He returned to go into the closet where his voice rose. “…at the club… We didn’t get that far… Aye…”
She got up to peek inside at him. “Conn?”
Now wearing underwear, he opened an arm her way, phone still at his ear. “As soon as…” She went into his proffered semi-embrace, and he pulled her against him. “Do it… Aye… Bet your fucking life.” He hung up and tossed the phone onto the vanity. Taking her upper arms, he parted their bodies to make eye contact. “Daly’s gonna take you back to the loft.”
“I don’t want to go back to the loft,” she said. “Are you coming with me?”
He snagged one of his shirts to feed her arms into it. “I’ve got business.”
“Business at three in the morning?” she asked. “What did you mean they have the superintendent? Who has him?”
He exhaled and snagged her hand to lead her out of the closet and seat them on the edge of the bed.
