Page 38 of Don't Lie To Me

I nod, understanding, but curiosity has me wanting to know everything about him. “Why did you become a cop?”

“I thought I could make a change.”

“I’m sure you do.” I grin at him, and he returns my warmth. I realize his hand is still in mine. This is all too normal, and the most bizarre part is how much I like chatting to him when I know I shouldn’t.

The server approaches us with a white envelope in his hands. “This is for you, Miss Stryker,” he says, handing me the envelope. The front is blank, so I open it. Two photos slip out, both of Reef and me arriving at Casa Moretti. They look like they were taken from across the street. I turn the image over. The first one has a note scrawled across the back in what looks like blood.Enjoy your freedom while you can,it reads, and I sit up a little taller, looking over the street again.Like father like daughter, playing both sides. We both know what that gets you… dead.

The second photo also has a note, one that sends a shiver down my spine.I’m coming for you, mia ragazza.I’m not sure what the last part says butmy hands start to tremble as I stare at the words. Glancing out the window, I can’t make anyone else out.Onyx waits in my car, still watching us, and now he looks concerned. Other than him, no one is around.

“Sloane, what’s wrong? What was in the envelope?” Reef asks softly, breaking me from my sudden panic.

“Nothing.” I shove the images back inside the white envelope, trying to keep my voice light. I don’t need Reef to see them. If this is Romeo’s idea of a fucking joke, because I came out tonight with a cop when he told me not to, it’s not funny, and I will deal with him tomorrow.

Reef snatches the envelope from me, the images falling out onto the table in front of him. He stares at them, then his attention comes back to me. “Is someone threatening you?” His face grows more serious.

“I’m sure it’s a stupid joke.” I try to force a smile, wishing I was sure. But would Romeo really do something like this just to mess with me?

“This looks like blood, Sloane. It’s no joke, it’s creepy as fuck, and you need to report it.”

“To who, Reef, the cops? Sorry that I have little faith in your profession, but your buddies in blue haven’t ever helped me in the past. I’m not sure if you know this yet, but most of the Ravens Hollow precinct was corrupt until last year, all working for underground rulers with more money than sense. I’ll deal with this myself,” I snap, suddenly feeling like we really do live on two different planets. He has no idea what it’s like to be me. But whoever sent this thinks I’m like Syd, and that thought is horrifying. I’m nothing like him.

He looks me over, stress lines forming on his forehead. “You can’t take the law into your own hands, Sloane.”

I roll my lips, trying not to lash out at him when I know he’s just trying to help. “I do what I must to protect myself and the women who work for me. It’s the way things have always been done. I know you’re new in this town, so you don’t get it yet, but you will.” My eyes meet his. “I learned very early on not to believe in fairytales. Some hero was never going to swoop in and save me from the life I was born into.I had to be my own savior.” I don’t say the words because I want him to save me. I really do have this shit under control myself, and the last thing I need is him getting in my way. I’ll deal with Romeo or whoever this is.

“I don’t really know what kind of life you’ve had, Sloane. But this shit, this is a direct threat, and now that I’m in town I’m going to make sure you and the people who work for you don’t have to feel threatened or scared.”

I stare back at him, wondering if he really could be different. “How? What will you do to stop the scum of the earth?”

“Leave this with me. I will find who did it and make sure it won’t happen again.”

I stand in a rush and snatch the photos back, shoving them into the envelope before folding them and putting them in my purse. “I appreciate your enthusiasm, but these people are smart. If they don’t want to be found, they won’t be.” I’m also one hundred percent sure this is Romeo messing with me. I’m sure the last part is Italian. He must have done it to give himself away.

He hops up, taking my hands and lacing our fingers together, standing with me. My ragged breathing calms, and my heart settles down just being close to him. I stare back at him, wondering how he can have this effect over me. I don’t even know him, but it’s like my body does, and she trusts him. “Don’t push me away, I want to help you. I know what you’re involved in is dangerous. It’s why you have the big guy following you around. You could use a friend like me to look after you as well.”

I blink back at him, getting lost in his kind eyes. “Only if you don’t plan on screwing me over,” I whisper.

His eyes meet mine, a deadly seriousness washing over them. “I take my job very seriously, Sloane, but I already know it doesn’t matter what you’re messed up in, I could never screw you over.” The way he says it with so much conviction, I want to believe him, but I have been burned in the past, and really, I know so little about him. I’m not placing all my trust in him after one night, no matter what his pretty green eyes tell me.

Chapter 15

WepulluptoThe Raven’s Nest ready to drop Reef back to his car, and I get the weirdest feeling like I’m not ready to say goodbye yet. But I know it’s time; I can’t go home with him tonight no matter how badly I want to. When we hop out of the car, I see Romeo leaning up against the building, one knee bent up, a smoke in hand. He’s watching me keenly with a dark possessiveness he has no right to hold. I do my best to ignore him and take Reef’s hand as we walk to his Jeep. “Thank you for a nice dinner.”

He presses me into his car, and with a hand moving into my hair, he strokes it off my face. “Can we do it again sometime soon?” he asks, hopeful.

“I’d like that.” I smile up at him, knowing I really would. It was nice to have a distraction from all the craziness of this week. Even if fucking Romeo tried to ruin it with his childish threats.

“Give me your phone,” he asks, holding out a hand for it.

I unlock my phone and hand it to him. He enters in a number then gives me a strange look. “My number is already in here.” He grins, way too pleased about it.

“You gave me your number today, remember? Said I can call you anytime of the day or night.”

His smile broadens, I think impressed I already saved it. “And you can.” He fiddles around with my phone, then his phone rings in his pocket. “Now I can call you as well.”

“That was a little tricky, Detective.” I smirk, not all that pissed about it. So what if he has my number.

He hands the phone back to me, his hand staying with mine. He tugs me a little closer to him, one hand resting just above my ass. “I need it to call you for that next date.” Over his shoulder I see Romeo watching us in a way that makes my heart race a little faster. I glance back toward the car, and sure enough, Onyx is watching my every move as well. I can’t have a normal date. They make it impossible.

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