Relenting (Dirty Cops #2)

Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

Roxy

H is dark eyes peer in deeper, causing the butterflies to soar in my stomach. There’s something about this man that breaks down my defenses. No one’s ever looked at me the way he does. It’s like he can truly see me. Like I matter. And he doesn’t even know me. Yet, in a strange way, it feels like I’ve known him for a really long time. There’s something about him that’s like a warm, soft security blanket. An extremely hot blanket that I want to snuggle up with in bed.

“So, is that why you’re not in any of the tabloids? Never seen your pretty face before, but your family is front and center on the weekly.”

“I’m estranged from my family,” I admit, peeling back the curtain on my truth for the very first time. “I wouldn’t fall in line, so my father kicked me out of the family. That’s why you never see me in the media.”

His grip on me tightens as he pulls me in closer. There’s a protectiveness rolling off him that I’ve never felt from anyone before. Not even the Savage Knights, though I know they’d all take a bullet for me.

“I’m sorry, babe. We don’t get to choose the family we’re born into. But damn am I proud of you for stickin’ to your guns and marching to the beat of your own drum. Most would sell their souls for the money. Speaks damn loud to your character.” His eyes drop to my mouth again and the butterflies start fluttering faster. Silence settles in as the tension rises in the air like a thick, heavy cloud, wrapping its tendrils around my body and pulling me into the brewing storm.

“Need you to tell me if there’s a man in your life.” His near growl breaks through the silence; his intensity ratcheting up the tension. “’Bout to cross a line, baby girl, and I need to know if someone’s going to beat down my door for stealing their woman.”

His mouth is so close I can feel his breath. All it would take is for me to move in one inch and then I’d feel his lips against mine. Taste his dominance on my tongue. The power that seeps from his pores. But…there is a man in my life. A few, actually, who I’m heavily involved with, and they don’t mix well with cops. They might not beat down his door, but as soon as he knows who I’m in bed with, his opinion of me is going to vastly change and these handcuffs may end up a permanent fixture on my wrists.

“I don’t kiss strangers, Officer.” I look up, meeting his eyes, feeling reality settle into my stomach. “Especially not when I’m under duress.”

“Maybe I should lock you up in a cell and put that pussy of yours under duress. Take all the kisses I want until you’re relenting and begging me to release the ache.” My teeth sink into my lower lip, holding back my moan. My restraint is of no match for this very dirty cop. He’s got me wanting things that are much too dangerous, things that will get me and a whole lot of others into trouble.

“If you let me go, Officer, I just may consider letting you take me on a date.” The lie rolls off my tongue smoothly, but its jagged edges slice right through me. In a different world, under different circumstances, this man may have been the one. But I’m loyal to the Savage Knights. They took me in and pieced me back together. They’ve made me feel special. Made me feel wanted when Derek made me feel like a dirty secret. They aren’t just my friends, they’ve become my family, and I’d never betray them by getting in bed with a dirty cop. Their trust in me would be lost, and I’d no longer be welcome at the club.

He takes my hands and starts unlocking the handcuffs, rubbing my wrists as soon as they’re free. Showing me that sweet protective side again. I step back, pulling out of his hold, needing to catch my breath. It’s time for me to leave before he makes it too hard to walk away from him.

“Can I have that call now?” I’m not going to call one of the guys. I think I should call a taxi so no one finds out about tonight. The guys will wonder what I was doing out so late in the first place, and I’m not about to own up to the fact that I was meeting up with my stepbrother. There’d be way too many questions to follow suit. Questions I don’t want to answer.

“Who do you need to call, Roxanna?” His questioning eye scrutinizes me.

“I need to get a ride home.”

“I’ll take you back to your car, doll.” He shakes his head. “You don’t have to worry about getting a ride. Besides, we need to plan that date of ours.”

“I didn’t have my car,” I state, ignoring the last thing he just said.

“Then why the hell did your brother drop you off on that road? Was he expecting you to walk all the way home?” By the livid gleam in his eyes, I’d say he’s picturing Derek’s face at the end of his loaded gun.

“Because I live out there.”

“But there isn’t a house out there for miles. The only place out there is…” His brows crease, everything tightening in his features. “You wrapped up with the Savage Knights?”

And this is exactly what I expected. His opinion of me has just dropped. He’s like every other cop in this town, thinking the Savage Knights are the bad guys, that they’re the ones committing crimes in this town. When reality is they’re trying to get the criminals off the streets. They may handle things in a not quite orthodox manner, but they mean well. Druggies, rapists—the Knights have no tolerance for anyone who brings harm to innocent people. So this officer can assume all he wants, but I will stand by the Savage Knights every time.

“I plead the fifth,” I tell him, turning and heading to the door. I’m not under arrest and the last thing I’m going to do is let him question me about club business. I walk out and straight up to the front desk. “Would you mind if I use your phone to call a cab?”

“I’ll take you wherever you need to go, gorgeous.” The officer’s wandering eyes make me want to roll mine.

“I’ve got it covered, O’Connor,” comes the growly voice behind me. “Come on,” he grunts. “I’ll take you back.”

It doesn’t look like anyone around here is going to let me use a phone, so I think the only way I’m getting home is by Mr. Was Too Good To Be True.

I turn to face him, waiting for him to lead the way. He shakes his head on a sigh and turns, heading outside to his cruiser. I doubt he’s going to let someone who runs around with criminals sit up front, so I wait by the back door, but he holds open the front passenger door for me, waiting for me to get in. I slide into the seat and face the window, refusing to look in his direction. It’s time to forget the gorgeous man and move on with my life.

“Whose Old Lady are you?” His gruff voice unsettles the silence and my nerves. It’s none of his fucking business, but I’m not with any of the guys. I’m a Sweetbutt, not an Old Lady, but if the officer’s opinion of me is already in the gutter, as soon as he finds out I fuck around with all the guys, he’ll think I’m a regular old whore. Lower than a whore because I don’t get paid for it. Best bet for me is to remain silent. That way nothing can be held against me.