Page 88 of A Very Un-Shakespeare Romance
“I know it is, dammit.” He bit the inside of his cheek and told himself to suck it up and be a professional. “I’m not cut out for this kind of undercover shit.”
“Language,” Lily said merrily, making him choke on a shaft of laughter that crept up his throat.
When Tara clicked her video off and lowered her phone, Lily gave them a quick salute. “That’s a wrap, folks.”
He sure as hell hoped so.
The stress of this case was going to make him go completely gray.
CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
Waitingfor the bad guys to show up was hell.
Especially since it didn’t allow her and Robbie to focus on what they really wanted—each other. Sitting next to him on the couch and trying to be professional took special skills. Because as good as she was at blocking out distractions while on a case, his scent would still wash over her and make her skin tingle. He’d told her he was going insane too, but still, he’d sat beside her on the couch. They were both gluttons for punishment, clearly.
“Pizza good tonight?” Sheila yelled from the kitchen. “I figure driving my sports car into town with my hot boy toy to go pick it up would be another perfect way to lay breadcrumbs for the guys the Kellys are sending down tomorrow. I’m glad criminals move fast when they’re pissed. We only started posting two days ago, and we’re having visitors.”
Buck had ordered wiretaps on the Kellys after submitting joint evidence to a judge with Internal Affairs. They’d picked up chatter immediately about needing to plug a couple of holes in North Carolina, with the goons leaving tomorrow.
A few confidential informants had confirmed that Branigan Kelly was on the rampage about Tara spending his money, especially on the McLaren. Apparently, he was ignoring his councilors, who’d advised him it could be a trap. All he wanted was“to shut that bitch up and stop her from spending all his money.”
“I told you the spending spree was genius,” Lily put in. “Plenty of incentive to hustle down here to stop her.”
“You know the saying,” Tyler continued, the sounds of him typing away on his laptop at the kitchen table audible. “Crime never sleeps. Good thing this boy toy doesn’t object to such blatant sexism or lack of regard for his personal well-being.”
“Ah, feeling a little unappreciated?” Sheila asked in a playful tone. “Come to mama.”
Tyler gave a gusty laugh. “Never change, Sheila. And I’m good with pizza—and you driving around your new boy toy.”
“I really hate that term,” Robbie whispered for Lily’s ears only, making her bite her lip to control her humor.
She knew he’d gritted his teeth plenty over the past several days, but he’d stood fast through it all. When Tara had said goodbye, he’d been a downright mountain of assurance. Not that Tara had shown one iota of worry or sadness. She’d been dry-eyed and strong, something Lily was coming to appreciate about the O’Connor clan. They stood up. No matter what.
“Pizza is fine with me too, if you really wanted my opinion, Sheila,” Robbie called back.
“Are you feeling a little unappreciated too?” her partner shot back cheekily.
Robbie rolled his eyes before lowering his voice to say, “I wish I could take you out tonight, Lily.”
She mirrored him rolling his eyes. “But we’d give ourselves away.”
“Since we’re not supposed to be here,” he agreed, his voice hushed and sexy. “Especially me. God, this is going to sound weird, but I actually miss my brothers and the girls. And Tara, of course.”
“Not Miss Purrfect?” she asked, hoping to improve his mood. “Your new friend.”
“That’s a stretch if I ever heard it.” He shuddered playfully, making her lips twitch. “It’s nice not having to hide my underwear. You know, Tara coming back really changed things with the girls—not that I’d want it any other way. She’s their mother and a damn good one. But it was…nice having them need me a little. God, I sound like an idiot.”
If they were alone, she’d have kissed him ever so softly on the lips and then wrapped her arms around him. “I think it’s sweet.”
“Don’t breathe a word of it to anyone.” Robbie turned to face her. “Promise me. Now that we’re…involved, you’re going to need to remember the one cardinal rule about the O’Connors. Never show true emotion, or it will bite you in the ass.”
“I promise.” She winked even though she wanted to caress the hard line of his jaw. “You can trust me.”
His hand grazed her arm, his eyes filled with the warmth and affection she was becoming used to. “I know, Lily. And another thing you should know about the O’Connors. When we find someone we can trust, they’re ours for life.”
Her heart expanded with a sweet roller coaster of emotion. “I’m the same way.”
His eyes flashed with promise. With happiness. She felt her own spirits rising in her chest. God, when had she ever been this happy? And on an undercover op. She was on a teeter-totter between job excitement and a dating high. Totally crazy but oh so wonderful.
