PAYBACK (A Bad Boy Romance) (23 page)

I
wasn’t accustomed
to just sitting around the house and the forced convalesce wasn’t doing me any favors.

Roxy had stopped by with a casserole, which I accepted with a dubious smile because I wasn’t sure that Roxy could actually cook, but it was the thought that counted, right?

But when lunchtime rolled around and I’d watched every show on my DVR and I was bored out of my mind, I planned to go for a walk.

Except, right when I was opening the door, I saw Jameson standing there and I nearly jumped out of my skin.

“What are you doing here?” I asked before I could stop myself. It was either that or admit that I was glad he’d returned, which so wasn’t going to happen.

“I need to talk to you,” he said, walking past me without preamble. I hated that he acted as he had the right to just walk into my house like he owned the place. I closed the door with a grumble and followed him into the living room.

“What’s so urgent that a phone call wouldn’t suffice?” I asked.

“We’ve found a way for you to gain access to Terano Rodrigo without arousing suspicion,” he answered and I felt a chill dance up my spine. “There’s a place called Chester’s—“

“I know of it. It’s practically a brothel,” I cut in, not liking where this was going. “You can’t, for one second, believe that I would even step foot in that place…”

“Chester’s needs a waitress. You’re going to fill the position.”

“I will not.”

“Look, I don’t like the idea either,” he admitted with a scowl. “But it’s the least dangerous option. You’ll be close enough to listen to Rodrigo’s conversations but far enough out of his reach to be protected.”

“The waitresses there…they are prostitutes,” I said, shocked that he would suggest such a thing. “Am I supposed to sleep with Rodrigo? Because I won’t.”

“No,” he said sharply, dragging me into his arms. “No one is going to fucking touch you, you hear me?”

“How can you stop it?” I asked, allowing myself to sink into his touch. “What if Rodrigo expects me to…you know…service him?”

“I’ll cut his fucking balls off,” Jameson stated as if it were a fact and not just a threat. “Your job is to listen to Rodrigo’s conversation and find out the location of the drop. Rodrigo likes to meet with his people at Chester’s so his guard will be down. Make sure his drinks are stiff. Liquor him up to loosen his lips. The drop is in a week. All we need is a location.”

On the surface it seemed easy enough but I wasn’t so naive to believe that just because it sounded easy, didn’t mean it would be.

“I’m scared,” I admitted in a small voice and his arms tightened around me. “What if…”

“I won’t let anything happen to you.”

His assurances settled my fears, if only for the time being, because I believed him. I didn’t doubt that Jameson would kill anyone who hurt me. He didn’t play by the rules and wouldn’t hesitate to drop anyone who messed with what he believed belonged to him.

I turned and he hoisted me into his arms, my legs wrapping around his torso. “You were gone when I woke up,” I said as he cupped my behind with his strong hands.

“Figured it was better that way,” he answered, his gaze fastening on my lips. He returned his gaze to mine. “Did you miss me?”

I reluctantly nodded.

“Good.”

He took me to the kitchen where he gently returned me to my feet and then bent me over the counter as he pulled my yoga pants down.

I heard his belt buckle and zipper from behind me. I held my breath and closed my eyes as I waited for the feeling of him opening me.

I didn’t have to wait long.

The now familiar sensation of Jameson’s thick shaft penetrating me was like heaven.

I savored the fleeting pain of his entry and then lost myself to the pleasure of being pounded by him.

Suddenly, his hand was in my hair, twisting it in his fist as he yanked my head back while he thrust like a demon into my sheath.

I couldn’t escape the total domination of his touch.

I was pinned, wondrously helpless. And yet, I knew I wasn’t the only one slave to the need.

Jameson couldn’t keep his hands off me.

I was his drug, just as much as he was mine.

“Say you’re mine,” Jameson ground out, the sound of skin slapping against skin echoing in the small kitchen.

“I’m yours,” I gasped, losing myself to the sensations of extreme pleasure. “God, Jameson,” I cried, unable to help myself. “Yes, all yours!”

And he came so hard I could feel the seed filling me up, jet after jet, as he unloaded inside me.

He stumbled away, his member still dripping with our combined juices and I fell to my knees to gently suck him dry.

I don’t know why I did it.

But I wanted to.

His touch gentled on my head as I finished lapping up his seed and he helped me to my feet.

I held his gaze, unsure of what was happening between us.

Were we both falling into the same trap?

Jameson grabbed a paper towel, wet it, and then wiped me clean with a tenderness I’d never known from him.

And then he pulled my pants back up, dressing me with consternation.

“I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“Why do you care?”

His silence sucked the oxygen from the room.

Did I want Jameson to have real feelings for me?

My thoughts on that score were jumbled.

When he was inside me, I would give him the world; when sex wasn’t involved, I was angry with him for using me.

“Look, just trust that I won’t let anyone hurt you,” he finally said with an edge of frustration. Maybe he was as confused as me. We both were struggling with feelings we had no business feeling.

I nodded, even though I wanted to press for a more definitive answer. I’d fallen down a rabbit hole and I was staring up at the opening, wondering how I’d fallen so far.

“When am I supposed to show up at Chester’s?” I asked, swallowing the lump in my throat.

“You have an interview scheduled for tonight. Wear something that shows your tits and ass.”

I grimaced. “I don’t wear clothes like that.”

“I’ll bring you something.”

The way he said it made me shudder. Jameson dressing me like a slut…was I complete mental case that I was aroused by the idea?

I covered my mortification with a short nod. “Fine. Hopefully, I have what it takes to get through the door.”

“You’ll do fine.”

“What’s Frankie’s job?”

“He’s going to weasel his way back into the fold. He has to make sure that no one suspects that he’s a CI. It’ll be up to him to smooth the way for you.”

“How?”

“Frankie knows the manager at Chester’s. He’ll make sure that you’re hired.”

I definitely didn’t approve of Frankie associating with anyone who frequented Chester’s but I had to squelch my natural inclination to lecture Frankie for his choices.

The time for that kind of intervention had passed.

“If I’m a shoe-in, why do I have to dress like a whore?” I asked stubbornly.

“Because you need to look as if you fit in. If you walk in with your nose up in the air, you’re going to stick out like a sore thumb, which will put a target on your back.”

I nodded, understanding. I didn’t like it but Jameson’s logic made sense. “Fine. And what do I do if I Rodrigo starts grabbing at me?”

I could tell he didn’t like my question, maybe because he didn’t have an answer.

“Handle it in the same way you would someone at Mamie’s.”

“I shut them down.”

“So do that.”

Memories of being assaulted jumped to mind and I couldn’t help the shudder.

Jameson’s gaze narrowed and I knew he sensed my private terror.

“The kid’s name is Bradford Wex. He’s out of the hospital and into custody now. I’ve encouraged the DA to push for the maximum sentence.”

“Do you think he’ll get it?”

He leveled an honest look at me. “No. Unless we can find other victims, then, he’ll likely get probation. He’s already lawyered up and his parents are springing for a big hitter.”

I knew how the world worked but it hurt nonetheless. “I understand. What if he comes after me again?”

“He won’t.”

I didn’t need to question Jameson’s assurances. I felt it in my bones that Jameson would probably see to it that the kid understand how dangerous it would be if he tried.

Was I bloodthirsty for hoping the kid tried just so Jameson could beat the hell out of him again?

Maybe I needed some therapy to deal with the aftermath of what’d happened.

But if was going to go down the therapy road, I might never find my way home again.

That particular road went on forever.

“I have people looking into Wex’s background. If there are other victims, we’ll find them.”

I appreciated his willingness to go the extra mile but we were still in a strange limbo with each other.

I was willing to admit that I enjoyed his touch but where did that put me?

We were both chewing on the same private issue.

And neither of us had the balls to broach the subject.

I
left
Ivy’s and returned to the precinct where I found Hank and Frankie in the debriefing room.

Frankie shot daggers my way but kept his mouth shut.

“Here’s how you get to save your little ass,” Hank said cheerfully. “You’re going to find out when and where the drop is for the Cobalt Viper shipment coming from China.”

“What makes you think I can get that information? I wasn’t in the inner circle and you know it,” Frankie spat. “You’re setting me up, pig.”

“Watch your mouth. That’s no way to make friends with the people trying to keep your ass out of jail,” Hank warned but his smile widened. “Look, you just have to smooth the way for your sister to land the job at Chester’s and then she’ll cozy up to Rodrigo. If you can’t get the information we need, your sister will.”

I kept my expression flat but my guts were churning. I didn’t like this idea. No, that wasn’t a strong enough word. I
hated
this idea.

But I didn’t have much of a choice. Ivy could get close to Rodrigo and I couldn’t. I had to use whatever were resources available to me.

And right now that was Ivy.

“Ivy will be a liability,” Frankie said, shaking his head as if we were making a huge mistake. “She’s nothing like the people I hang with. She’s a good kid. You’re going to get her killed.”

“Maybe you should’ve thought of that before you dragged your sister into your shithole life,” I countered. “If you don’t want anything to happen to her, then you’d better find a way to make yourself real valuable to Rodrigo so Ivy doesn’t need to.”

“You’re a fucking bastard. Do you care about anything aside from yourself?”

“That’s a lot like the kettle calling the pot black.” I smirked. I wasn’t about to take shit from a loser like Frankie Callen. I doubt Frankie had given much thought to his sister when he was dealing drugs and running with the Cobalt Vipers. “Just shut the fuck up and make yourself useful for the first time in your life.”

“Ivy has an interview tonight at Chester’s. You need to encourage the manager to hire her,” I told him.

He looked at me like I was a dumb fuck. “Ivy isn’t cut out for this. I’ve kept her out of this lifestyle for a reason.”

“Aww, you’re breaking my heart,” Hank cut in. “All right, enough chatter. You’ve got your job. See to it that you get it done or you’ll be sharing a bunk with a new sweetheart.”

Frankie’s mouth tightened but he got the point.

Satisfied, Hank rose and pushed Frankie’s personal effects toward him. “Here’s what you came in with.” Frankie went to reach for his stuff but Hank slammed his hand down on his, leaning forward with a chilly look. “Don’t even think about double crossing us, Callen. It won’t be a happy ending for you.”

Frankie met Hank’s stare without flinching. “Nothing better happen to Ivy,” he countered and for a split second I didn’t doubt that Frankie loved his sister and that he was seriously regretting not getting his life together for her sake.

But hindsight was a bitch.

Hank let Frankie go and they watched as Frankie walked free.

“I hope we’re banking on the right Callen,” Hank said.

Yeah, me too.

“Only one way to find out,” I said, cutting a swift glance Hank’s way. “Time to rock and roll.”

“Yeah baby,” Hank said gleefully, the light of the hunt in his eyes. “Let’s light this fucker on fire.”

We filed the appropriate paperwork for an undercover surveillance vehicle and while the request was processing, I went to find Ivy some slutty clothes for her job interview.

I ain’t gonna lie, the thought of Ivy wearing something nasty for my benefit turned my crank in a big way but I hated the idea of Ivy wearing something like that for the general public, much less a dirtbag like Terano Rodrigo.

But she was our best option. Nothing worked faster than a beautiful woman to get a man to let down his guard.

I found myself at one of those cheap clothing outlets and went straight for the tightest, most revealing top I could find and paired it with a short black leather mini.

I tossed in a pair of stiletto boots and some bangle earrings and then quickly rang up the purchase.

The clerk, an over-processed blond with a bullring in her nose smiled coyly and said, “Girlfriend or wife?”

“Neither.”

That caused her to raise one penciled brow. “I don’t think they will fit you,” she pointed out, her gaze lingering on my shoulders. “Too broad and thick.”

“Not for me either.”

“Intriguing,” she said, interested. “Are you going to leave me in suspense or are you going to tell me?”

I just smiled and gathered up my bag of purchased sluttiness and walked out the door.

The thing was, I didn’t know what the hell was happening between me and Ivy. All I knew was that I didn’t want to stop even though I knew it was a bad idea to keep going.

I wasn’t the type of guy who got involved. I didn’t do relationships.

I mean, c’mon, what woman in her right mind would want to mess with me on a long-term basis?

My job wasn’t conducive to a little woman waiting for me at home.

Particularly not someone like Ivy.

She deserved the white picket fence, the happy home in the ‘burbs.

I was the least qualified for the job.

But I wanted her.

I wanted her like a fat kid wanted cake.

She was soft and sweet, the kind of woman I’d never in a million years imagine being with.

And I was sending her into a seedy place to suss out information for a case I fucked up.

Hell, that was the crux of it, the meat of my recklessness.

It was my fault the case had fallen apart.

I had to fix it.

My career was on the line.