Page 72 of Undercover Desires

“That sounds like him,” I agree.

“Can you blame him, though? He knows the men we’re up against, especially Detective Reader.”

“Would someone say that to you? Or because you’re a guy, would they just assume you can look after yourself?” I question Caleb, my curiosity piqued. I hate the assumption that I’m weak because I have a pussy.

He takes a moment before responding, a soft smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “My wife says it to me all the time. When someone cares about you, they worry; it’s perfectly natural. He knows you’re capable of taking care of yourself, Arabella, but he doesn’t want you to be in a position where you have to. Does that make sense?”

I contemplate his words, realizing I’ve never really considered it from that perspective. It’s been so long since I had anyone actually care about me that it feels strange. I guess I got so used to just having to watch out for myself. “I guess. I never really thought about it like that. In all honesty, I haven’t had someone who cared that much since my dad died.”

Caleb’s empathy shines through as he speaks gently. “Well, I guess now you do.”

“Yeah,” I reply, a grateful smile on my face. Knowing how Kobe feels about me gives me hope when I’m feeling so lost, part of me wondering why I came here in the first place. But maybe it wasn’t about the job. I wanted to prove myself to my father, but maybe instead, it was about finding myself, like I told Kobe the first night I met him. And as luck would have it, I found so much more. Maybe even something real. “Thanks for helping me.”

“It will be you helping me, Arabella. I’ll let you know when I have more information for you. For now, continue working at the club, making it look like you’re following Reader's instructions. We don’t need to give him any reason to question you.”

I nod, understanding the plan. “I have to give him info on the Riveras by next Monday. What do I tell him?”

“I’ll come up with a story for you by then,” Caleb assures me. “Just keep doing what you’re doing. If you leave this place first, I will follow along later.”

I smile politely, then slip out of my seat and hustle out of the place. I’m anxious but also excited to be included in such a bigoperation. I’m working with the FBI. This is insane. Not only that, but I have a big scary motherfucker boyfriend who is telling people he wants me protected. It warms my heart in a way I didn’t think it could. Kobe Rivera might just be a hero after all.

CHAPTER 30

KOBE

I focus on mydartboard while I listen to Leo bark instructions over the phone.

“I’m at The Joker. Send them my way when they pick him up. I’ll have a party planned for him,” I tell him before disconnecting the call and throwing it down on my desk.

My anger simmers dangerously close to boiling point. I run a hand through my hair and smile to myself, thinking of the plans I have for this particular drug-dealing scumbag. My crazy’s building, and I need a release. Leo just got word Kahil has been spotted across town at After Dark, one of Axel Stone’s clubs. He’s sent Rob and the kid to pick him up.

I pour myself a Jameson, inhaling its spicy, vanilla aroma. I would like to think my mind is fully on the job I have to do tonight, but I can’t stop thinking about Arabella, knowing she had that meeting with Caleb today. Did he convince her to leave her job and come and work for me? I wonder where she is now. She’s not working at Queen of Hearts tonight. Maybe I should drop by her house when I’m done here and pay her a visit.

Picking up my box of darts, I open the lid and take one. Gripping the shaft, I focus on the target, propelling the dart toward the board across the room. Bullseye. I crack my neck and grab the next dart.

A light rap comes at my door. I glance toward it. Couldn’t be the boys yet, they wouldn’t have had time. The second dart flies through the air, embedding right next to the first. I smirk to myself. It’s going to be a good night.

“Some lady’s here to see you,” comes Opal’s shrill voice. She’s the young chick who’s been working at The Joker for a few months and has inexplicably assumed the role of my personal assistant, despite her job as bar staff. I’m close to moving her on to one of our other establishments where I don’t have to see her.

“The door’s unlocked,” I mutter, unimpressed, returning my focus to the dartboard.

The door opens. Out of the corner of my eyes I see her. She’s fucking gorgeous. I take aim and the dart flies across the room, hitting the drywall above the board. I completely missed.

Arabella covers her mouth, stifling a laugh. “Sorry if I’m interrupting something important,” she says, with her lips painted a striking shade of red, her smile carrying a hint of mischief that sends a message right to my cock. She’s here to have a little fun. Fuck, I love this girl.

“Do you need me to get rid of her?” Opal asks, shooting Arabella a deathly glare, like she is somehow the inconvenience here.

“No fucking way.” I stalk toward Arabella, taking her in my arms. I run a hand up her back, settling on her neck, and I pull her toward me, shoving my tongue in her mouth in a claiming kiss. She kisses me back with just as much desperation. My little sugar has missed me today. She pulls back, panting. “Come in, sugarplum, make yourself comfortable.”

“But Kobe…”

“Close the door on your way out,” I cut Opal off. She glances back at me, disappointment evident in her expression. Maybe I won’t have to move her. I’m pretty sure she now knows where we stand.

Turning my attention to Arabella, I greet her with a smile, genuinely pleased to see her. “What are you doing here?” I ask, feeling like an excited little kid who’s about to take a new toy out of its Christmas wrapping.

“Are you disappointed to see me?” She pouts.

“Disappointed? Not at all. A little surprised,” I respond with a grin, my eyes lingering on her. She looks absolutely stunning in her short, golden dress that accentuates all the right places. Her flowing hair cascades down her back, and her smoky eyes add to her captivating appearance. It’s obvious she made a special effort to please me tonight. I wrap an arm around her and pull her in for another kiss, showing her just how excited I am for the distraction she offers. “You’re not going anywhere in that dress.” I smack her on the ass.

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