Relenting (Dirty Cops #2)

Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

Roxy

H ere they come. I smirk. I was beginning to think the two lovebirds would never come up for air. They’ve been locked in Shiv’s room all day, making up for lost time, I suppose.

“Hey, Rox. Can you make my girl one of those pretty pink drinks you make while I run to the kitchen to scrounge us up some food?”

“Sure thing.” I smile at Shiv, winking at his girl Chrissy who I’ve already grown attached to. Maybe that’s because I see so much of myself in her. “You two certainly slept in,” I tease, grabbing a glass and the champagne. “The Trix is my specialty around here. I make it for all the Old Ladies. The guys like their whiskies dry and their beer cold, but us gals like our drinks on the sweeter side.” I smile.

“Why do they call them Old Ladies?” Chrissy scrunches her nose up, shaking her head. “It seems so wrong.” I definitely get it, especially when none of the wives or girlfriends are past the age of thirty. There isn’t a single gray hair on any of their heads, yet they’re still called “old.”

“It’s a term of endearment that hippies used back in the day. Got me why it stuck.” I shrug. “But it means that you’re it. And no one will mess with you.” I slide the bubbly pink concoction in front of her. “It’s one of the Savage Knights’ most sacred rules. You mess with an Old Lady, you’re out. That’s why the Sweetbutts will either keep their distance or butter you up. They want to make sure they don’t get kicked out of the club.” Most of the girls that linger around the club dream that they’ll end up being chosen. I guess that makes me the odd one out.

“Why do they call them Sweetbutts?” She takes a sip of the drink and smiles, going in for a bigger gulp.

I shake my head. “That one you’re going to have to ask Wikipedia. I have no clue. All I know is that in this club, things run different. As soon as a brother claims someone, he’s off the market. The men are serious about their women around here. When they mate, they mate for life. They don’t stray. And if a Sweetbutt doesn’t respect their boundaries, she’s out.”

It really is uncanny. Most guys would be tempted by all the pretty girls practically throwing themselves at them, but not the men around here. They’re loyal to their women, and man, do they love hard.

I wish I could find that. To have someone worship the ground I walk on. To look at me with stars in their eyes. Like I’m the only girl in the world. An image of the dirty cop pops into my mind and I quickly shove it away. All day I’ve been desperately trying to stay busy to keep myself from thinking of the man who managed to barge into my life last night and infiltrate my senses. I woke up in a sweat this morning with my fingers tucked inside my panties, coming apart to the image of me being locked inside a cell with his face buried between my legs.

I think I may need a drink too.

“So, what about you? How you’d end up here, Rox?”

I throw my shot of whiskey back, feeling the burn of my truth running down the back of my throat. I pour myself another, gathering some more liquid courage before I answer. “How long you got?” I tease, putting the bottle back in its place, and staring at the dark liquid now filling my little glass.

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”

I look up, shaking my head. I haven’t had a true friend in so long because I’ve been too afraid of getting burned again, but with Chrissy, I want a friendship. There’s just something about her that makes me feel like I want to share my soul with her. “I grew up in the city,” I start, remembering the cold white condo I called home until I was eighteen. Nothing about the place felt warm or inviting. Every day when I got off the elevator, it felt like I was walking into a psych ward. Everything was white and rigid. There was no color. No creature comforts. No throw blankets on the crisp white leather couch. No smell of apple pie baking in the oven, or chocolate chip cookies sitting on the counter. Well, not until Derek and his mom came along. Then there were sweets in the house.

“My father was a wealthy man. He’d made a name for himself at the age of twenty-three. Became famous in the business world. One of the youngest billionaires in the city. So, money and status became his identity.” His first and only loves until Lauren and Derek entered the picture. I even wonder if he ever loved my mother. It didn’t seem like he was too broken up about it as we were laying her body to rest. The funeral just seemed like one big media opportunity. A way for my dad to get attention from the public. The poor widower who was now a single dad.

“My mom passed away from cancer when I was six, and then it was just me and my dad.” Really, it was me and my nanny and the cook and housekeeper. Dad worked all the time. And the only time I’d see him was when he dragged me along to some charity event and told me to smile for the cameras.

“I’m sorry, Rox.” Chrissy’s voice has me looking up from the shot glass that’s swirling with bad memories. “I know what it’s like losing your mom. It fucking sucks.”

I nod, realizing that Chrissy’s harboring some of the same demons. No wonder I feel a connection with her. She gets it. “It does. It was hard losing her, but I’ve made peace with it. I don’t think my mom was ever cut out for my dad’s life. Being in the spotlight all the time drained her.” It drained me too. “For the longest time, I tried. I wanted to be the perfect daughter. I wanted him to be proud of me. I did what I was told. I never complained. I wore all the clothes they picked out for me even though I hated every outfit. But then one day, I realized I couldn’t do it anymore.”

I was suffocating. It was like I couldn’t breathe. I didn’t have an identity. I was merely a robot going through life while all these kids around me were living and having fun. They dressed how they wanted to. They went to parties. They had friends and smiles on their faces, while I was miserable. A loner who was imprisoned in her high-rise, only let out for media opportunities.

“I cut and died my hair and went to the store, finally found a style that fit and allowed my true self to shine. But I’ll admit, at first, I only did it when my father wasn’t around. I’d leave for school dressed in the outfit picked out by my nanny, and then I’d go straight to the locker room and change into my clothes.”

“My father was a strict bastard too.” She shakes her head. “Isn’t it amazing what we do for their love?”

I nod. I did everything for my father’s approval, but it was never enough. “We try so hard, yet it’s like they’re incapable of love.”

She nods. “So, what happened? Did you eventually run away from it all, or were you kicked out?”

What happened was my father caught me giving my stepbrother a blow job and he accused me of being a bad influence on him. He didn’t want his perfect son’s reputation tainted in any way. Even though it was Derek who started our illicit affair. And was the one who begged me to suck him off even though our parents were right in the other room.

Dad told me to pack my things and leave, saying that I was cut off. And from that point forward, I was no longer his daughter. But those details are better left buried. I don’t know what Chrissy will think of me if she found out I was fucking my stepbrother.

“What happened is I fell in love with a guy my dad didn’t approve of, so he kicked me out before I brought shame to the family, and to his ‘name.’ After that, I stayed in a hotel until I graduated, and then I left the city to get a job.” I’d still had hopes that Derek and I would run away together so I stayed close by, allowed myself to be used for sex. But after a few years, it didn’t look like Derek was going to cut ties with my father and give up the chance to be the heir to the Boden fortune, so I packed up and moved someplace I could start fresh, someplace I could afford. But as soon as Derek called, I was right back in his clutches.

But that’s over now. Surprisingly, I’m finally done. Last night was the final straw. And when I woke up this morning, Derek wasn’t my first thought. Which I guess means I should be thanking the officer. Usually, I spend my first moments of the day scrolling through social media, torturing myself with all the latest updates and gossip about my stepbrother. But this morning, I had no interest. My mind has been so preoccupied with the dirty cop’s filthy mouth, that I don’t even care what’s going on with Derek. I haven’t even once checked my phone for a text or an email.

“So that’s how you ended up here?”

“Yep.” I nod. “Came to the first small town I could find and started working at Trigger’s as a bartender. Then one night, I got invited to a club party, and the next thing I knew, I found myself living with a bunch of bikers.” I smirk, thinking about how crazy it is given where I came from. “I’m in a place where I’m accepted for who I am, and now, I get to make drinks for the guys and their women.” I wink.

Her cheeks tip up in a smile as she lifts her drink in cheers to me before taking a sip. “I’m sorry about your family.” She places her glass back down. “But it’s probably for the best. Money can be poison. Greed can turn people psycho. My dad turned into a monster.”

I’m about to ask her about her past when Shiv comes walking up, carrying two giant plates of food.

“Here, baby. Got a little of everything I could find. Wasn’t sure what you were in the mood for, so you just eat what you want, and I’ll play cleanup.”

“Thanks.” Chrissy smiles, pulling him down to her lips for a kiss. Goodness, they really are cute together. And man, is it good to see Shiv happy. He was a lost soul for a moment there, but he’s back and seems better than ever.

I leave them to eat, saving the heavy convo for a later date, and I work on getting the bar cleaned up and ready for later. Making sure the glasses are all wiped down and that we’ve got full bottles of everything, double of the guys’ favorites. Some of the brothers from the north chapter will be rolling in tonight, so I want to be stocked and ready. There’s been a whole lot a buzz going on these last couple days, and it sounds like the Prez called in for some backup which is why we’re getting guests. But club business is secret so I don’t ask the reason they’re coming.

“Hey, girl. You mind grabbing me a cold one?” Tank steps up to the bar, giving me a wink.

I pop the cap on his favorite beer and hand it over. “You gonna shed some light on what you were doing getting out of Officer Bentley’s cruiser this morning?” I grip the bar, wishing he hadn’t brought it up. But then his words settle in. He just said a name, one I’ve heard before.

“Wait. Was that Haley’s brother? Grit’s brother-in-law?” I knew her older brother was a cop, but I’ve never met the man. From what I’ve heard, he’s about the only good cop down at the station. Well, good in the sense that he’s in bed with the MC. Bentley turns a blind eye when it comes to club business. He also feeds the guys tips. Holy shit, I had no idea that was him.

“Yeah.” He nods. “Didn’t you know who you were with?”

I shake my head. I didn’t know anything other than the fact that I was arrested by one seriously hot officer with one very dirty mouth. Not sure this information helps matters for me. I needed reasons to hate the guy, not like him even more.

“Well, if you’re not seeing him, then you want come to my room tonight for a little fun?”

As much as I like Tank and as good-looking as he is, I have to keep my distance. I realized after the last time I slept with him that he’s got his heart set on making me his Old Lady, and that’s never going to happen. I don’t have feelings for him, and I don’t want to lead him on. Besides, after my shit night last night, I need to catch up on some sleep so I can get my mind right tomorrow.

“Pretty tired since I got in so late. But thanks for the offer,” I let him down gently. And quite honestly, I think I’m off of men for a bit.

He nods, giving me a smile then takes his beer over to the pool table, joining in a game with some of the other prospects. I turn back toward the happy couple, and ask Chrissy if she wants another cocktail. She nods, giggling, so I get to work, making her another Trix. Looks like Shiv may be getting lucky again pretty soon based on the way she’s smiling at him.

“Shiv, you’re just the man I need to see.”

My head snaps up to the sound of the rumbly voice and I see the officer who’s haunted my thoughts all day coming straight towards us. Walking in as if he owns the place.

“Wow. Come right in and pull up a chair, Officer.” I cross my arms, trying to ignore the butterflies that are trying to take flight in my stomach. “Or is this a business call and you’re here to arrest someone on false charges seeing as that’s your area of expertise?” What the hell is he doing here? He’s the last person I want to see right now. I’m trying to forget his existence, not be reminded of how incredibly sexy he is.

“Rox,” Shiv warns, and I roll my eyes, fighting past my nerves and getting my armor back in place. Though, I can already feel my resistance weakening. My mind relenting on my stance when it comes to the cop whose eyes are unsettling the nerves between my legs.

“Sorry. Just don’t feel all that excited to see the man who wrongfully arrested me on prostitution charges.”

“Yeah, well, maybe you should watch that mouth of yours then, doll.” Bentley steps up to Shiv’s side, his eyes locking me in their sights, dominant and unrelenting. Man, he’s trouble.

“You ever heard of sarcasm, Officer?” I ignore my body’s unwanted reaction and push the words out. “Maybe you should get out more. Pull that head of yours out of your own ass and learn what it is.”

Bentley’s shoulders grow tense along with his jaw, and the same threatening look he had when he told me he wanted to lock me in the cell is now burning in his stare. My body betrays me once again and gets lit with heat.

“You better watch yourself, baby girl.” His eyes narrow in further. “I still intend to make good on that offer you gave me.” What offer is he talking about? I didn’t make an offer. I told him I may let him have a date if he released me, but I wasn’t being serious. And by the way we left things this morning, I would’ve figured he’d have taken the hint. But here he is with sex and desire dripping off him in spades. Luring me in and tempting my restraints.

Apparently, it’s time to pull out the big guns and set him straight. That way I can resume my regularly scheduled programming and keep my heart from becoming collateral damage in this little charade he’s playing. This man may want to fuck me, but so do a lot of guys. The difference is, this one for some reason has a direct line to the muscle in the left side of my chest. And that’s what makes him so dangerous.

I lean forward on the bar top, watching as his eyes drop right to the top of my shirt, tightening my nipples under his hungry stare. “You must have a really tiny prick since your ego is that big. I wouldn’t fuck you even if you were the last man on the planet.”

The sound of someone sucking in air reminds me that we have an audience. Chrissy and Shiv are bearing witness to our friendly little exchange. Good. I want everyone to know my stance when it comes to this man. That way I won’t be going back on my decision.

I turn toward Chrissy who looks to be holding back a laugh. At least she finds this situation amusing, because my stomach is twisted up. “Do you want a tour of the place, Chrissy, while these two go and discuss business?” The sooner I get away from this man the better. I’ll give Chrissy the extended tour before I go lock myself away in my room for the night. One of the other girls can cover the bar. I’m sure they’ll be more than thrilled to fill in for me and have access to all the men.

“I’ll come find you when we’re done, baby girl.” Shiv leans in and plants a kiss on her lips, and I step around the bar, ready to be Chrissy’s guide. But just as I’m walking to her, the maddening officer steps in front of me, blocking my path.

“You can run, angel, but you can’t hide. As soon as I’m done with my business, I’ll be coming to take you out on that date, so wear something pretty for me. And skip the panties; there’s no point since I’ll just be ripping them off with my teeth.”

I sway in my spot, feeling like I’m suffering from a heat stroke. This man and his mouth are no match for my pussy. She’s surrendered in a puddle now, begging me to let him take me out tonight. But there’s no way I could have a one-night stand with this man; my heart and body would suffer from withdrawals. I’d be wanting more. And I highly doubt he’s interested in settling down with a Sweetbutt who carried on a six-year relationship with her stepbrother. Those two factors don’t exactly make me wife material, and what’s the point in torturing myself when there isn’t a chance for a future with the guy?