Page 31 of Hot Cops

“When we get back to Baltimore, we’re going to have a long talk about my job.”

She blinked twice, shocked by how well he knew her. “How did you know?”

He bent forward and kissed her forehead. “I know you.”

She shook her head. “And yet you still married me. Crazy.”

“Come on. The sooner we talk to the pimp, the sooner we can get back in bed. I’m getting damn sick and tired of having my honeymoon interrupted.”

She grabbed her jacket and slid her cell phone in her back jeans pocket. “You’re preaching to the choir, sugar.”

* * *

Jacko’s waseverything Bubbles described and more. Aaron suspected even Hell wouldn’t welcome this establishment behind its gates. He tried to ignore the fact there appeared to be a drug deal going down in the parking lot. A guy was puking by the entrance as they walked up, clearly having met his limit of drinks two hours before he stopped drinking.

As they walked in the front door, he was assaulted by thick, rancid cigarette smoke and the twanging sound of country music blaring from a pair of speakers in the corner. A few tough-looking guys by the bar took his measure before he made it five steps inside, then their gazes landed on Riley and he could see the surprise on their faces. No man with half a brain in his head would bring a woman like Riley into a bar like this. For the hundredth time since they’d left the hotel, he wondered what the fuck he was doing.

It was her face as she’d looked at him, as she’d asked him not to leave her behind that had sealed the deal on his insanity. She was worried about him. Some foolish part of him had thought if he brought her along, let her see that he could handle himself in dives like this, she wouldn’t worry as much when they returned to Baltimore and he returned to work. While that idea seemed a sound one in theory, the reality of bringing her to Jacko’s was proving to be the most asinine thing he’d ever done in his life.

She tugged on his sleeve and pointed to the end of the bar. Through the haze of smoke and the crush of smelly bodies, she’d managed to spot Johnny. There was no missing him. Johnny Sparks was exactly as Bubbles had described and in the dim lighting, Aaron would swear he was looking at Wayne Newton in the flesh.

“Come on,” he said. “Stay close.”

He stepped up to the bar, catching the bartender’s attention. He gestured for two beers, trying to decide where the safest spot for Riley was. If he put her in front of him, she’d be protected from all the men in the room, more than a few of whom were definitely checking her out. However, that would put her closest to Johnny. Deciding he could defend her against one rather than many more easily, he put her on the stool next to the pimp, while he stood behind her, pressing his chest against her back.

“Worry much?” she teased and he narrowed his eyes. One look at her face proved that while he was a nervous wreck, Riley was soaking up the atmosphere and already adapting. He reached over her shoulder for one of the beers the bartender delivered, trying to figure out the best way to engage Bella’s pimp without tipping their hand too soon.

“You Johnny Sparks?” Riley asked, and Aaron fought back a groan.

The man narrowed his eyes before turning to look at them for the first time. Aaron spotted the same surprise on Johnny’s face as he’d seen on the other customers in the bar when he saw tiny, clean-cut, pretty Riley sitting next to him. One quick glance around the bar confirmed that the only women who frequented the joint were either hardened hookers or tattooed amazons who could hold their own.

“Who wants to know?” he asked and Aaron gripped Riley’s waist, warning her that he was supposed to be questioning the man.

“I do,” she said, her tone pure smartass.

Johnny didn’t seem to know how to respond. “Who the hell are you?”

“Riley Collins…er, Young.” She put her hand out for a handshake and again, her actions seemed to fluster the man. He reached out and accepted her hand. “Nice to meet you. We’re friends of Bella’s.”

“Riley,” Aaron muttered. “I thought I was going to handle this.”

“You know Bella?” Johnny asked. “You seen her lately?”

Riley shook her head. “I don’t really remember ever seeing her, but apparently I met her last night. Unfortunately I was sort of trashed.”

It appeared trashed was a state Johnny could relate to and understand. “You don’t happen to remember seeing her with some big shot gambler from out of town, do you?”

Riley snorted. “Big shot gambler? Trev?”

Aaron tightened his grip. He’d lost control of this situation in less than five minutes. Johnny’s eyes narrowed when she mentioned Trevor’s name.

“Trev?” Johnny asked. “Is that the motherfucker’s name?” His tone had crossed from bored to pure, pulsating anger. “You know him?” His eyes narrowed and he leaned closer. Suddenly Aaron was regretting putting Riley in front of him.

“Listen, Johnny—” he began quickly, trying to divert the man’s attention from his newlywed wife.

“Shut the fuck up,” Johnny said menacingly. “I’m talking to the woman.”

Aaron felt Riley’s back stiffen. “Don’t you talk to my husband that way.”

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