Oh my God.
Before I could say a word or do a thing, he started speaking. “Get off the street Law. Shard, Jermaine and Clarence are lookin’ for retribution, no matter what Clarence are lookin’ for retribution, no matter what protection Crowe is offering. They aren’t gonna take you down. They’re gonna take you somewhere and play with you awhile, games you won’t think are fun.” I’d stil ed at the sight of him but his words sent a chil through my blood.
“When they’re done, you’l beg them to kil you,” he went on.
Um.
Yikes.
“Do I make myself clear?” he asked.
Without delay I nodded. He made himself clear al right.
He stared at me. I could tel his eyes were dark, liquid black like his brother’s and I found myself wishing for more light just so I could read them.
He got closer, this wouldn’t seem possible but just like Vance had, Hector did – right deep, face-to-face in my space.
“You tel anyone you saw me, you’l blow my cover and I won’t be happy mainly because I won’t be breathin’.” I swal owed.
“Nod if you understand,” he demanded.
I nodded again, I understood.
He was a cop… or something. Likely deep cover if even Eddie and Lee didn’t know what he was up to.
“Does that mean you don’t want me to say anything to…?” I started.
He looked to his left, nodded once, then back at me.
“The boys’l know to keep their mouths shut.” Then as fast as he’d come, he was gone, disappearing into the night. The car in front of Hazel took off, the motorcycle behind her did the same. I never even saw the drivers.
Wow.
With ful body shakes I drove Hazel to the garage, super-cautious, eyes checking mirrors, wil ing my ears to have powers beyond normal. I parked, secured the garage and then ran into the house even though I wanted to stop and kiss Vance’s Harley which was sitting outside my backdoor.
I flew into the kitchen and dumped my weapons and bag on the table. Then I locked the door and armed the alarm.
Boo sauntered in and looked at me. “Meow,” he said.
Obviously Vance had given him treats or pets because Boo was a fuck of a lot more calm than me.
I stared at my cat for a beat.
Then I screeched, “Crowe! ”
I was standing and hyperventilating in my kitchen when Vance walked in. He took one look at me and came to a dead halt.
“I, you… we… oh my God,” I said.
“Jesus, Jules. Are you al right?”
I shook my head then I nodded it then I shook it again.
He started toward me. I took a step back and he stopped again, this time his brows came together. “You’re not gonna try and break up with me again, are you?” This time I just shook my head.
His eyes narrowed under knitted brows. “Is Tex okay?” I nodded.
“Are you okay?”
I shook my head.
He came forward again and I didn’t retreat. “Are you hurt?”
“I just met Hector Chavez,” I announced.
Vance stopped again, in my space. I saw his eyes flash.
“What the fuck?” he murmured.
“Just now, he and a couple of his buddies fenced me and Hazel in, in the al ey. He yanked me out of the car, warned me off the street. Told me Shard, Jermaine and Clarence were going to hurt me no matter what protection you’re offering.”
This didn’t make Vance look happy. “He say anything else?”
“Nothing I care repeating. Not on that subject anyway. He did say if I told anyone about our chat, I’d blow his cover which means he wouldn’t be breathing anymore… or something like that.”
Vance stared at me then he muttered, “Christ.” I wasn’t sure exactly what I was feeling but I thought it might be fear.
A lot of fear.
I wasn’t going to admit to that out loud so I just took a deep breath to try and control it. That didn’t work so I leaned forward, head down, and col ided with Crowe, forehead to his shoulder.
He took my weight without a word, his arms coming around me.
around me.
“You gotta get off the street,” he said softly.
“If I do, they win,” I said just as softly even though I agreed with him.
Vance didn’t respond.
I didn’t want to play the games Shard, Clarence and Jermaine had planned for me. I knew I’d be disappointing Tex but if something happened to me, who’d take care of Roam and Sniff? Who’d have dinner with Nick and drive him crazy occasional y? Who’d give it to Vance regularly?
I didn’t want to think of anyone (or multiple anyones) giving it to Vance regularly.
This meant I had to get off the street.
God dammit.
I looked up at Vance. “Shit,” I said.
His arms got tighter and he kissed my forehead but he stil didn’t say anything.
There was something nice about that. He didn’t rub it in or make a big deal about it. He just let my decision… be.
Even though I was freaking out, I felt another pleasant whoosh in my bel y.