Page 93 of Undercover Desires

“Thank you for this. I had no idea it was what I needed in my life, but right now, I feel like all my dreams are coming true. This is where I'm supposed to be.”

Xav looks pretty pleased with herself as well, behind the bar, pouring drinks and teaching our new girls the ropes.

“You did a good thing, Kobe.”

“I know,” he smiles cheekily, pocketing his phone so he can wrap his arms around me. “I'm everyone's hero. But you already knew that, didn't you, sugarplum?” He runs his hands up my leg, stopping at my behind, squeezing playfully. “I preferred the uniform with a skirt.”

“I bet you did. This one will get me in less trouble.” I laugh. “My bar, my rules.” I kiss his cheek and pull out of his grasp to go help my new business partner, Xavier. The last six months have been a journey of discovery for me. At first, I took some leave from the force and returned to Queen of Hearts, doing my normal shifts like nothing happened. It took a little time for Xav and Shelby to come around; they're super protective of Kobe, and I wasn't their favorite person for investigating him in the first place. But they came around when they saw I was still the girl they had grown to like.

Caleb offered me a job with the FBI, and even though it had always been my dream, something inside of me had shifted so drastically that I couldn't take him up on the offer. It didn't feel right anymore. I saw a different reality for myself, one with Kobe. So, I resigned from the force, and Kobe came up with an offer I couldn't refuse—not just running his new bar but co-owning it with Xavier. I loved this place the first time I saw it when I met with Caleb here, and now it's mine.

I make my way behind the bar, and Kobe attempts to follow me. Xavier, however, shakes her head firmly. “Uh-uh. This is my bar; you stay on that side,” she asserts, pushing him back.

He reluctantly takes a stool at the bar. “You two are on quite the power trip tonight.”

“You gave us all the power.” I chuckle.

“Oh yeah, I did.” He smirks. “Well, since I can't pour my own drink, I'll have a scotch, top-shelf.”

I pour a top-shelf scotch and hand it over with a sugary smile.

I pour drinks for the Rivera family table and place them on a tray. “Can you take this over to table five?” I ask one of the new girls. She looks at me hesitantly. “You'll be fine,” I reassure her. I watch her walk over to the table and carefully place it down.

Hazel looks up, giving me a warm smile and a wave. Somehow, we managed to get everyone here tonight—Jett, Leo, Brandon, his girlfriend Cassandra, and even Piper found a sitter. Table five is filled with family, the very same people I started investigating less than eight months ago, who are now the closest people to me in the world. I smile toward them, overwhelmed with gratitude and feeling a little teary. My heart is full.

Xavier and I leave the bar staff in charge and retreat to the other end of the bar, pouring ourselves drinks. I clink my glass with hers and Kobe’s. “To us.”

Kobe smirks as he raises his glass. “You two make the perfect team. I can't wait to see what you do with the place.”

I glance at Xavier, waiting for her to speak, but she's frozen in place. She looks like she’s just seen a ghost.

“Xav, are you alright?” I ask with concern.

She takes hold of the bar for support. “Who invited him?” Xavier stutters out.

I glance toward the door just in time to see a handsome gentleman walk in and disappear into the crowd. “Not me,” I say, puzzled because I don't even know who he is.

Kobe glares at him, as if he does. “You want me to get rid of him?”

Xavier appears to gather herself. “No, it's okay. It's my bar; I'll deal with him.” She marches off through the room in his direction.

“What am I missing?” I ask Kobe, my confusion growing.

“That's her story to tell,” Kobe replies.

I raise a questioning eyebrow. “But there is a story?”

“A good one.”

I study him, wondering what it could be. I only know snippets of her life that she was willing to share. “She said you saved her life?”

“I did,” he says cryptically, offering no further details.

I glare at him, wondering what he knows. Who’s the guy?

Xavier returns to us, snatches her drink, and gulps it down in one go. Her flushed cheeks reveal that the man we saw is the reason she's never shown any interest in another guy. He seems to hold a special place in her heart, and it's clear that he's more than just important to her; he's left her all hot and bothered.

“Are you okay?” I softly inquire.

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