Page 71 of Undercover Desires

“Don’t you worry about what’ll happen if Reader finds out?”

“Nope. Reader doesn’t have as much power as you think. He’s good at throwing his weight around, but that’s about it. He’s lazy and terrible at actual police work. That’s why he enlisted the Riveras to take out the Kings,” Caleb dismisses my worry.

I furrow my brow, trying to piece together the information. “The Kings, that’s the gang from the desert, right? The one Hazel was married into?”

Caleb confirms with a nod. “That’s right. Reader had a plan to get the two rival gangs to take each other out. It’s something I only just found out after Liam King nearly killed Jett.”

My confusion deepens. “Wait, I’m not following, because from what I read, Jett got shot in a home invasion.”

Caleb shakes his head. “What did I say? Don’t believe everything you read or hear in our station. That was a story made up by Leo to cover Hazel’s tracks.”

My eyes widen in shock. “She killed her husband?” I had my suspicions, but to hear that she actually did it, I’m a little stunned.

“Self-defense, but yes. When that happened, he’d already been pronounced dead, shot in a police shootout. Reader set the whole thing up. First, he had Kylo and Leo go head-to-head. Leo came out on top, but only just. Then Reader went to the Riveras and tried to bribe them into doing his dirty work for him, taking out Liam, the second King brother. But at the same time, Reader was working with Liam, helping him get whatever information he could to use against the Riveras. He was playing both sides off against each other, and it all blew up in his face when Liam failed to take out Jett and wound up dead himself.”

I listen in disbelief, struggling to process the situation. “I feel like I should be taking notes.”

“Don’t. This is just between you and me. It can’t leave this room,” he warns me.

I lean in, seeking more information. “Do the Riveras know about this?”

Caleb shakes his head. “I only just pieced it all together today.”

I’m left with a burning question, one that makes me feel sick, if I’m honest. “And where do I come into all of this?”

“You fell into Reader’s lap at the perfect time. You were his pawn to take out Kobe,” he clarifies.

The realization hits me hard. Is he saying what I think he is?

“You weren’t there to arrest him. He doesn’t want them in prison; he wants them all eliminated. Out of his way. Readerwould have set it up so you would have had no choice but to kill Kobe.”

I’m horrified at the thought. “I would never.”

“As I said, it would have been a setup. Whether or not you did it, you would have taken the fall for it.”

I can’t contain my anxiety any longer. I feel completely out of control. How could one man be so malicious to do all of this and think he was going to get away with it? These are people's lives we’re talking about. “Caleb, you’re freaking me out.”

“Good. You need the truth so we can work out how to get you out of this mess.” His eyes are warm, and I can see how much he cares. He’s a good person trying for the same thing as me. In a world of total chaos, I feel like he might be the only normal one around.

“Why is he doing it? He told me he wanted them arrested for their involvement in his daughter’s drug overdose and her body being dumped in the desert. But if that’s not the story, then why?”

“That’s what the two of us need to work out so we can stop him. I’m working closely with another officer to ensure this all ends promptly, but you’re in a unique position. He has some trust with you, and it might be our way of finding out what’s really going on.”

I look him over, assessing him. He’s not a normal cop, there’s no way. Things don’t add up. The rest of the station don’t seem to be on the same wavelength as him, and he looks like he’s under Reader, but he doesn’t act as though he is. Also, something Reader said to me back at the beginning about him not being seen in Queen of Hearts. “Are you FBI?” I whisper, not that anyone else is around.

A subtle, knowing smile graces Caleb’s lips. His words carry weight as he leans in slightly, his eyes locking onto mine. “You work for me now, alright?” I nod in solemn understanding, thegravity of the situation sinking in. “I’ll do my best to protect you, but you must follow my instructions. Together, we’ll work tirelessly to bring down that motherfucker without a hitch.”

He leans closer. “I also know this might put you in an awkward position with Kobe. He mentioned that the two of you are dating now?”

A chuckle escapes me, despite the tension in the air. “Did he now?”

Caleb’s expression remains serious, but a hint of amusement gleams in his eyes. “He made it abundantly clear I should ensure your safety. Repeated it several times.”

I can’t help but laugh, my hand instinctively covering my mouth as I do so. “I can’t believe he’s going around telling people we’re dating.”

“He’s been discreet about it, but his worry is genuine. He wants you out of the police force, working for him, where he can keep a close watch over you.”

I nod, acknowledging the depth of Kobe’s protective instincts. It was what he was trying to tell me yesterday. Part of me thought he was just messing around, but if he talked to Caleb about it all, I know he’s serious. And part of me loves him even more for it. It’s been so long since someone cared about me the way he obviously does. But what he has to understand is I have been independent for a long time, and even though this is way over my head and scaring me, I have to do my job. I’ve come too far to give up now just because I’m worried.

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