Page 64 of Force At Third

“Could hardly get her to take it off.” I wag my brows. “Until she went full blown Lara Croft.”

“She was actually my favorite until the costume went missing from my school locker.” She throws her thumb over her shoulder toward me. “His Finsta was fire.”

“If any of you ever need to learn the art of tucking, don’t hesitate to ask. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. We all need a hobby.” I pick up my wrap and take a bite.

Blaze shakes his head and looks at Marks. “Could you clue us in?”

He nods and leans forward. “His Lara was good, not fire. Harley Quinn, now that was fire.”

AJ shoves a taco into his mouth and scoops up his phone. “Screen name. I need to see this shit for real.”

“A lady never tells.” I give him a wink.

“I’d like to know why the Jersey State Police are investigating the fire.” Bennett crosses his arms. “But I may be even more curious about who the hell you two are.” He points at Marks and Gwendolyn. “Are you going to clue us in on what is actually going on?”

“Bennett …” Rome nods. “It’s a lot, yeah?”

“Do not placate me. I can easily call up a car and leave.”

“Would much rather you stick around,” Gwen says firmly.

He looks at me. “You care to clue me in?”

“Bennett, you and I probably share the same assumptions. Gonna guess since those two are security and landed here in Trenton, someone needs protection.”

“Like, from the mob?” AJ asks.

“Let’s hope not for their sake. Mob can’t hold a candle to the Walton cartel.” I link my fingers behind my neck and lean back.

“You know members of the Walton cartel?” he asks.

Lifting my chin, I spew more bullshit, “My old man’s a member.”

“Thought your dad was a gym teacher,” Nour states.

I lean forward, elbows on the table, look him dead in the eye, narrow mine in warning, and tell him, “So does everyone else.”

She elbows me again. “Okay, look, Danny and Chloe are friends. They asked us to come and watch after CeCe because a man who did some bad shit was paroled from a California state prison. We have absolutely no proof he’s in New Jersey. The parole board and his parole officer are clearly on the take because all we get is he’s done his time. The police will not do a damn thing unless a crime is committed.”

“How do you know? Have you asked them?”

“Bennett”—Marks shakes his head—“we were the police. We chose to leave the force and the political bullshit behind so we could prevent, protect, and serve. We know what they can and can’t do, and we know what we’ll give of ourselves to do the job they just can’t do anymore. No crime was committed here. We don’t have proof in any way that he is here. But now we have a fire. If it is arson, we have something to take to NJPD, and they’ll contact Cali law enforcement, and they’ll go after parole and get answers. Until then, we’d really like you all under this roof. It’s secure here. You have two trained law enforcement agents and Fred.”

Fucker, I think.

“You’re good. Covered. If it was?— ”

“Who’s Fred?” AJ asks as Bennett states, “We’re not your clients.”

Gwen locks eyes with Bennett. “If this is him, then your connection to our client is known. And he went after you to get to them. Let us see this through. And if you feel the need to leave, I’m telling you to keep your mouths shut because if you leak this and it gets to him, and we lose him, you’re not my client or connected; you’re my fucking mission.”

“Easy, tiger.” I shake my head.

“Look,” Rome pipes in. “Yesterday, someone tried to hit me with a fucking car. Last night, my property was lit up with my fucking team”—he pokes himself in the chest—“my fucking team asleep inside. We’re lucky that Elle woke us up, or we’d all be cooked.”

“Someone tried to hit you?” Blaze asks.

“Pop my name into IG. Some asshole got the aftermath on video and posted it.” He scrubs his hands over his head. “None of us asked for this shit, but this bastard doesn’t get caught, the girl I’m head-up-my-ass about is going to be looking over her shoulder for life. So, you promise me to chill here for a couple of days, let them do their thing, and I’m gonna show you the same fucking loyalty if you ever face some shit like this.”

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