Page 70 of Undercover Desires

He hands me the key to Nanna’s sedan. “Well, we didn’t get a start on the house, but you now have a working car. I booked her in down the road for a road-worthy inspection, and you will need to go down to the DMV and get her registered again, but she’s all good from what I can see.”

“Thank you,” I say, so grateful for his help.

“I’m going home the day after tomorrow, so if you want help with the lawns or anything else, we can drop by again.”

“Thanks, I’ll get it all sorted. I don’t mind if it’s slow. I’m probably about to lose my job anyway, so I’ll have lots of free time soon.”

He looks between us. “Did I miss something?”

“I’ll let Kobe fill you in.” I sigh.

“I know who you need to talk to. My buddy down at the station, Caleb,” Kobe says, like it’s a brilliant idea he’s just thought of.

“You have a friend who works with me?” I ask, confused. Reader talked a lot about corrupt cops, but I didn’t realize one of them was a friend of his.

“We have lots of friends who work with you, but Caleb is the only one I trust to look after you. He’s as good as they come. He’ll help you.”

I consider his offer. I’ve only had a couple of conversations with the guy, but from what I did see, he was decent and approachable. I wouldn’t have picked him for someone working both sides. There really is so much more going on here than I originally saw. I need to open my eyes and start learning faster than I have been if I don’t want to get fucked over by Reader or anyone else.

CHAPTER 29

ARABELLA

An arm reaches outand pulls me around the side of a building. My initial reaction is to knee them in the groin, but I quickly realize it’s Caleb. “You scared the shit out of me. Why did you do that?” I snap, trying to regain my composure. We had a meeting scheduled; Kobe hooked it up, but I thought I was meeting him up the street at a little bistro.

He glances over his shoulder, his expression serious. “Come with me.” Without waiting for a response, he hurries me down the narrow alleyway to a sky-blue door. He knocks twice, and the door swings open. We pass a guard and descend a set of rustic-looking brick stairs, leading us to a basement. The temperature drops significantly, and I instinctively rub my arms to ward off the chill. What is this place?

We reach a landing, and there’s another door ahead, this one black. Caleb knocks once more, and I glance back up the stairs, now shrouded in darkness with the door closed. A sense of unease creeps over me as I wonder where he’s taking me.

The door swings open, and the sultry sound of jazz music washes over us. Another guard lets us pass, giving Caleb a nod of acknowledgment. I’m grateful that the room itself is warmer than the stairwell. The ambiance is a stark contrast to the dingy staircase we entered through. This place has a golden glow, and it’s quite captivating.

Tables run down the center of the room and along one wall, adorned with lush-looking greenery hanging from one side. A well-lit bar and a dance floor with a grand piano complete the scene. Since it’s only the middle of the day, there aren’t any other patrons around, but I can imagine how vibrant this place would be at night.

“What is this place?” I ask in awe, taking in the unexpected beauty of the hidden establishment.

“You like it? The Riveras just bought it. It’s private, and no one knows they own it yet, so it’s a safe spot to meet. They’re still working on the name,” Caleb explains.

“Well, you kind of freaked me out initially, but now that we’re down here, I love it,” I admit, following him to a seat in the back.

I can’t help but be intrigued by Caleb’s connection to the Riveras. He comes across so straight-up in his cream button-up and navy slacks. Is it all just a charade? “So, you work for the Riveras?” I ask, still unsure about all of this.

“Not everything is black and white, Arabella. Sometimes it’s what happens in the gray area that counts. Yeah, some of the things the Riveras have done are questionable, but their intention is always spot-on. They’re kind of like a modern-day Robin Hood, fighting the rich and powerful to give back to those who need it,” he offers as a cryptic response. So I guess that’s a yes.

I raise an eyebrow, pondering his words. “If this is true, why does Detective Reader have it in for them so badly? What about what happened to his daughter?”

Caleb leans in, his expression serious. “Have you looked into that case?”

I shake my head. “No, I took his word for it.”

“Don’t take anyone’s word for anything at our station. You can’t trust a soul. And you shouldn’t.”

His words send a chill over my skin. What the hell have I gotten myself into with this job. “You? Can I trust you?”

He meets my gaze with sincerity. “You can trust me, but you have to take my word for that. Or Kobe’s, if you trust him?”

“I don’t know what to think anymore,” I admit, feeling the weight of the complexities surrounding my new job. “I had such a clear path in my mind of what good and evil were, but the longer I work in this job, the more I see it’s not so straightforward. How did you end up working alongside them?”

Caleb leans back in his chair, reflecting on his journey. “I’ve known Kobe for a long time. We went to school together, and he’s always had my back, as I’ve had his. When I joined the force instead of following him into their world, it surprised and disappointed some people, but this arrangement has worked out for both of us. He and his brothers came around when they realized I was more valuable to them like this.”

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