Page 16 of The Fall Guy

“I called because I need your help. I need you to do some digging.” I give my cellmate’s name and the details I have on him while he writes it down. The governor has me suspicious, and I want to be ahead of the game. Plus, what I already know about him doesn’t match the persona he’s portraying to everyone else.

“I’ll get the info to our guy and be ready when you call back. Stay safe, brother.”

“Thanks, bud. Talk soon.” We hang up.

Someone called the police the night everything went south at the sports centre. I knew at the time it wasn’t one of my men. Could Rio be working with the police?

No, that can’t be right. Why would the governor ask questions about him? Plus, he tried to kill me. All I know is something isn’t right with him. I need to start sleeping with one eye open so I can find out what he’s up to and stay alive.

CHAPTER 8

RIO

Obsession isan emotion I thrive on. It’s my passion to know my target, walk in their shoes, and learn their ticks. It’s mesmerising. Jono should be fulfilling all my thoughts, but it’s Kaden preoccupying my mind.

I wet my bottom lip as my hand traces his peaceful face. His sleep pattern has become as familiar as my own—three hours deep snoring followed by a couple of hours of quieter, lighter sleep.

I’m a creeper. Sick and twisted. But it’s hard to respect boundaries when confined to a cell.

My length hardens behind my pyjama bottoms, but I’m not perverted enough to wank over a sleeping body. I adjust my pants, willing my erection away. When I look back at Kaden’s face, his eyes are open and homed in on me.

Maybe I’m not as sneaky as I thought. I didn’t notice the difference in his breathing or realise he was awake.

“Are you going to try and kill me again?” Kaden asks. His muscles don’t tense, suggesting he isn’t preparing for an attack.

“No,” I say, shaking my head ever so slightly.

He swallows, drawing my gaze to his throat. “Then what are you doing?”

“Watching you.”

“Creeping on me, you mean?” he whispers back.

“Sure.” I raise my brow just a little. The room is poorly lit by the moon’s glow, yet I know he can see the gesture.

“Go to bed, Rio.” He lets out a low dismissive groan.

“Or what?” I challenge, not wanting to break our connection just yet.

He crooks his neck to get a better look at me. “Or I’ll put you down.”

His voice is quiet and deadly. It sends a shiver through my body down to my toes. Excitement dances through my veins while my nerve endings tingle.

“I’d like to see you try.” Amusement tickles the corner of my mouth.

He runs his hands over his brows. “What’s the game here?”

I can’t hold back from smiling. “What do you want it to be?”

He sighs heavily. Does he feel the crackle between us like I do, or is it just in my head?

“Why did you put your pillowcase round my neck?”

“I wanted to give you a proper greeting.”

It’s hard not to show my emotions, especially when I’m enjoying being playful. The money my anonymous source offered was tempting, but only for a split second. Having Kaden this close is the most fun I’ve had in a while.

“And you couldn’t think of anything better?” He realises his mistake as soon as he says the words.