* * *
After droppingSophie off at the studio, I return to the station. I have a meeting with the task force to review new intelligence and devise a plan for our surprise attack on the drug bust at the Long Beach docks without alerting them in advance. We’d also been questioning Marko’s cousin, who is loyal to his kin and the gang. No matter how much we interrogate him, he won’t give them up. He’s a dead end, but now that the Serpents are in bed with the cartel, we will be able to get more intel on them by setting a trap and leading them to believe the Serpents betrayed them.
First, we need to find the drug dealers connected to the cartel; with the Serpents, one is always bound to talk. The word on the street is that the Serpents have started recruiting young teens to join them. They start them young and use them at their disposal, taking advantage of them. As fucked up as it is, unfortunately, some of these young kids are homeless, or they’re troubled kids looking for money or simply a place to belong. Gangs and cartels will use this opportunity to initiate them into their organizations.
I sit at my desk to catch up on paperwork. Later, I’ll head to Sophie’s to devour her stunning body. She wants me to fuck her with my uniform on, and I’ll gladly do it. I’ve been trying my best not to think about her, to keep some distance, but Sophie’s like a siren tugging on my chains, pulling me to her.
I reluctantly meet John’s gaze from behind my enormous stack of paperwork. He drags his chair, squeaking along the floor, and snickers as he settles himself down, legs kicked out in front of him.
“What the fuck are you snickering about, snickerdoodle?” I drawl.
He leans in his chair with an amused grin on his pretty-boy face. “You’ve been smirking into your paperwork.”
Have I? “No, I haven’t,” I grumble.
“Sure, glowworm, you’ve been in a great mood lately. Smiling, laughing, not your typical broody self.”
John taps his fingers on my desk with a lazy grin, waiting for I don’t know what.
“I didn’t know it was a sin to laugh and smile.” He’s right, though. It’s been years since I smiled without it being forced.
“Who’s the girl?”
“Huh?”
“Don’t play dumb, Liam. It’s written all over your face.”
Is it? I guess I have been smiling and laughing more. “I’m not seeing anyone.”
I’m half lying. We’renotreally seeing each other. It’s more like hanging out and fucking. Honestly, I hate the way it sounds—like she’s not worth it, but she agreed. I have never regarded her as any less than the goddess she is, and I worship her accordingly.
“You know how I know? You look just like how I looked when I started seeing Beth.”
“How’s that?”
“Glowing sunshine,” he replies, not missing a beat, smirking like a fool.
“Fuck off,” I retort, grinning. “I’m not really seeing her. She’s Dominic’s girlfriend’s best friend. We have been messing around. No strings attached. But not seeing anyone else, either. It’s an itch to scratch.”
John’s a good friend. I can trust him.
His blue eyes dim in the light, and his smile fades. “You think this is a good idea? I mean, you’ve never slept with anyone more than once. You’re getting yourself into a shitload of trouble. You’re truly fucked now. If you don’t watch it in the end, she’ll be the one hurting if you back out. If you like her, and I think it’s clear you do, then don’t settle for less.”
I let his words soak in. Do I want more than a no-strings arrangement? No. She agreed to do the same. Raking my fingers through my hair, I look back at John.
“She’s just out of a bad relationship, and she doesn’t want to be in another one. She wants casual.”
He brings his elbows to his knees and chuckles. “You don’t know shit about women, do ya? They always catch feelings. Maybe you will too.”
I shake my head. I highly fucking doubt it.
“You’re so fucked.” John slaps the palm of his hand on my desk with a grin.
Am I fucked? My phone pings with a text. I grin when I see it’s Sophie.
Mi Bella:Hey, so you want steak and potatoes or chicken? Does that sound good?
When I dropped her off,she offered to make me dinner since I’d taken her out to lunch. I couldn’t refuse after the kiss she gave me in front of those naked dudes. I wanted to fuck her in my SUV.