Page 32 of Breaking Storm

There’s some type of scuffle, shouts, followed by the crowd dispersing. Several large men flank all sides of a black man as they escort him out. Joey and Leo join us. Joey stands next to me and takes my hand.

Leo says, “Jimar, the leader of Blood Brothers, snuck in with a small entourage and weapons. Dad noticed a gun on one of them and contacted security. Jimar got in Dad’s face and James and him got into a small physical altercation. Nothing big.”

Too bad. It would have been nice witnessing James getting his ass beat.

The tension lifts. I give Isabella and Leo a hug before they head to the dance floor. From the corner of my eye, I see a woman walking fast toward me, and Joey positions himself between us. It’s Rosie, my old boss. I step around Joey and embrace Rosie, our hug tightening. My eyes are misty, and when we separate, Rosie’s wiping at her cheeks.

“Rosie, I’ve missed you so much.”

“Oh, sweetie.” She cups my face. “The florist isn’t the same without you.” Her hand swats the air. “I hired a woman in her twenties. Pleasant, but she doesn’t hold a candle to you.”

From behind me, a man’s voice says, “Nice to see you, Teagan.”

I turn and my eyes grow bigger. “Officer Podesta.”

“Call me Angelo.”

Rosie’s face turns red when I smile at her and ask, “Are you two…” My head moves from her to Angelo. “… dating?”

Angelo says yes while Rosie’s head bobs in quick succession. I laugh at her animation. Her eyes drift over to Joey, whose eyeing Officer Podesta. Thank God Podesta doesn’t realize it.

She takes my hand and asks, “And who might this young, handsome man be?”

My eyes flit to Joey’s, and he raises an eyebrow. I hadn’t told Rosie much about my life. I left out who my family was, and never told her about Ashton or my forced marriage. She was one of the few I could be myself around and forget where I came from. How do I tell her I’m married? It’s not like years have passed.

Angelo ticks his chin toward Joey and answers for me. “Joey Storm Cooper.” They’re glaring at each other. “How’s things?”

Joey’s comment from before comes to mind. “There are plenty of cops on our payroll. Those who don’t turn a blind eye can make situations… difficult.” It makes sense now. That’s why he wanted me to quit my job.

Joey responds, “Good. And you?”

Officer Podesta’s shoulders relax a bit, and Rosie pipes in. “Oh, so you two know each other.”

They let out weak laughs and nod.

I step in and say, “Joey’s my husband.” Neither saw that coming because Rosie and Angelo’s heads whip in my direction.

Rosie’s eyes are sparkling, and a smile glides along her face. “Husband? I didn’t even know you were seeing someone.”

I take her hand, kiss it, and respond, “I apologize for keeping it a secret.” My eyes catch Angelo’s, afraid he might reveal who Joey is.

Sweet Rosie gives my hand a small squeeze. “No apologies, Teagan. You have your reasons for not mentioning him.”

Rosie takes another glance at Joey, and I look at Angelo. He remains silent.

Joey cups my elbow and announces, “Excuse us, but there’s someone here we need to see.”

He doesn’t give me any time to respond, tugging my arm toward the outdoor terrace, brightened by old streetlights. Not far from the entrance is a group of smokers. Joey guides me in the opposite direction through a maze of statues and water fountains. A distance from the entrance, Joey lifts and sits me atop a low stone wall. His head tilts to the side as he stares at me, running his fingers down his jaw, scratching his stubble beard, and contemplating something. The next thing he does is cup my chin and press his lips against mine. It’s the first time since his fight that he kissed me on the lips. And they are warm. His lips capture mine like a secret rendezvous—sultry. Joey puts an inch between us while his eyes skirt over my face, landing back on my lips. This time, the kiss is insistent. He unleashes a bold command for my mouth and tongue to obey. His tongue slips inside, and I unconsciously moan into his mouth. This spurs him on. Lips kneading, teeth nipping, and mouths capturing our air. His hand still has a hold of my chin, the other on my lower back. I force myself not to touch him as my knuckles scrape against the stone. The intense way his hand steadies me, and his mouth ravishing mine, swells both sets of my lips.

I hadn’t realized how much I’ve wanted this kind of response from Joey until now. His tongue swirls around mine. A possessive mouth, inscribing his fixation and ownership of me. When he pulls away, the loss is instant, and I want him back. To become high on his greed.

Joey steps into me, his fingers twirl around my hair, giving a gentle tug on some strands while asking, “How well do you know Officer Podesta?”

My body deflates from the question. Here, I thought Joey wanted some intimacy, but it was only to get information from me. I watch people from a distance. The water spurting out of the fountains. Statues frozen in mid-action as if waiting for my reply. Why do I let myself get this way? Joey is nothing to me other than a barrier in front of my goals. I shouldn’t allow his words or actions to affect me this way, but they do. Probably because he’s the only thing left in my life. Anger replaces hurt. How dare he take from me, only to be forced to accept him and only him? To weaken my resolve into establishing him as owner and keeper of my existence.

I narrow my eyes at him, flatten my lips together, and respond, “A kiss for information?” He opens his mouth to say something, but I continue, “Don’t treat me like I’m not relevant.” My hips shimmy forward, hand pushing him back, and I slip down from the wall. “What does it matter? You forced me to quit. I have nothing…” He remains standing there when I walk away. I stop and add, “… Except you. You got what you wanted.”

Without an altercation, I make it back into the ballroom, leaving Joey behind. Sean follows at a respectful distance. I haven’t noticed that my cheeks are wet, scolding myself for caving into my emotions. Again. What’s with the waterfalls? From my purse, I grab a tissue and dab at my cheeks and eyes.

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