Page 15 of Recklessly You
Once Mila walks out of my office, my mind wanders back to Liam. What would it be like to casually date him? I’ve never casually dated up until now. I know I’d end up with a broken heart all over again because the lust I have for him is stronger than I’ve ever felt. The best thing to do is ignore it. Shut it down and go on another date.
CHAPTER 5
LIAM
After parking in my driveway, I emerge from my car and unlock the gate to the backyard, letting Duke out.
“Hey, buddy, how was your day?”
He gives his balls a good lick then runs straight toward me. Guy’s got priorities.
“Don’t you even think about licking me with your ball breath.”
He barks, not pleased with my demand.
I unlock the door, and we both make our way into the house.
“Half of my day was good, buddy. The other half was shit.” I toss my keys on the table and grab a beer from the fridge.
“Come on, boy.” Collapsing onto the leather sofa, I sigh.
My body aches from a raid at an abandoned warehouse-turned-meth lab. I had to chase down two men and tackle them, though they put up quite a fight. We interrogated them and checked for the Serpents’ mark, but it wasn’t there. Still, we were sure one would eventually crack and tell us where to find them. Tomorrow I’m meeting with the task force. Two undercover agents are going in.
I step into the steamy shower, and beads of warm water seep into every muscle. All I can think about is that vixen. The second I saw the dickhead’s lips on her hands, I lost it. It’s so fucking unlike me to give a shit and feel jealous. I’ve never experienced it before. And I hated it.
That mouth of hers has no filter. She is different from any woman I’ve ever met. The majority of women I come across throw themselves at me. She’s different in how she puts herself together—and there’s something about her sassiness. I know she felt the chemistry between us just like I did, even if she didn’t acknowledge it, even if she ignored our lust and tension. Those damn lips were plump and red, and I was so tempted to taste them. I stroke myself as I think about how she would feel underneath me, her blonde locks wrapped around my fist as I kiss her hungrily…I stroke until I come all over the wet tile.
Fuck me.I need to keep my distance from this woman. She weakens me. I should be thinking about tomorrow’s meeting with the task force, not jerking off to thoughts of a woman I don’t really want. She’s a distraction I don’t need right now.
* * *
As soon asI enter the meeting room, my fury erupts like wildfire. My rage intensifies when I spot the photos of the top ten most dangerous and wanted Serpents on the bulletin board. The full image of Pablo, the leader from eighteen years ago, and a rendering of him as an older man now. Next to his photo is one of his son, who looks to be around my age.
Suddenly, a memory from the night of my father’s death resurfaces. The motherfucker who killed my father said, “A life for a life, blood for blood.”
I never asked what it meant before I shut down. I never questioned why my father was taken brutally in front of me or why the gang leader was after my father. I know my father was about to transfer to the DEA just before he passed. Even though he was off duty that night, something about the situation has always felt wrong. After all these years, I can’t shake the feeling something isn’t right. I know after today, many pieces I’ve buried are going to resurface.
“Good morning, Rodriguez,” Detective Cain says, walking up shoulder-to-shoulder with Officer Franco, the leader of the task force.
“Good morning, Detective Cain. Thank you for having me.”
They nod. The room fills up with highly experienced officers. I’m honored to be part of the team.
Detective Cain takes the podium at the front of the room, and the buzz of conversation dies out. “Good morning, team. We have received some information from our informant. Our two undercover agents have been persuasive, convincing the Serpents to trust them. Pablo Marquez has been working with the cartel in Tijuana, Mexico, for the past few years. He’s moving into the U.S. to import drugs—cocaine. We were informed of two possible drop-offs, one here and one in Long Beach.”
My breath heaves. My father was a man many admired…respected. He was a hell of a detective. He would still be alive if I hadn’t been with him that night. He held back because I was there. Pablo was a fucking coward to ambush him when he was with his son. Like all gangs, they don’t give a shit; they’re cold-hearted bastards.
“When our informants give us the signal, we will move in on them as soon as the shipment hits the docks. Remember, we keep this quiet. We’ll take them off the streets and get vengeance for Manny and all those affected by the gangs,” Detective Cain says, his voice booming through the room.
My chest aches at hearing my father’s name. He was my hero—and still is. My stomach churns with excitement and burns with fury to finally meet the eyes of the man who killed my father.
“For those who don’t know, Officer Rodriguez is Manny’s son. He’s a hell of an officer, and I’m positive he will become a skilled detective and agent like his father one day.”
They all turn to glance at me. Some nod, some smile, and some look at me with pity, knowing the story. I muster a smile and square my shoulders.
* * *
After a long day,I arrive at Rocco’s and slide onto the stool. The chatter of the crowd ricochets through the walls of the busy bar, and the smell of smoke and beer lingers in the air.
