Chapter 25
Where are they?”
Greg replied stoically, “The bodies are still in the street. The squads have them surrounded, including Mendes and the others. Carlos has a bullet in his shoulder and is coming in and out of consciousness. He is irate, declaring that there won’t be a Padrone alive in the morning.”
Viviana leaned against Jax, then looked up and met his hard gaze. After pressing her lips together, she said firmly, “I need to go with you, Jax.”
Not releasing her, Jax shook his head. “Sorry, Sergeant Moreau, You’re on sabbatical, remember?”
Obviously seeing her crushed expression, Greg demurred. “She’s on the team, Jax. She knows the gangs better than any of us.” Acknowledging Jax’s steely gaze, he offered, “She can ride with me and O’Reilly.”
Jax frowned and declared in a harsh voice, “She rides with me.” He stripped off his suit coat and put it on her. “Let’s go, Commander Bannon. Call out the rest of the VCU. I’m assuming you’ve notified Commissioner McElroy and his team?”
At Bannon’s agreement, Jax wrapped a proprietary arm around Viviana’s shoulders and strode to the exit, holding her next to him. Ordering Bannon to call for their cars, he looked up to see Mick O’Reilly running toward them, concern darkening his ruddy expression.
“Jesus, Jax, Commander Bannon told me to get my ass over here.” As if seeing Viviana for the first time, his eyes widened in surprise. Staring at her, he whistled. “Damn, sweet cheeks, what the hell happened to you? You look like you’ve been rode hard and put up wet.”
Not commenting on the irony of his irreverent assertion, Jax pulled Viviana closer and glared at Mick. “Detective, I’ve called for Sergeant Moreau’s car. After we retrieve her go-bag from the trunk, I want you to drive it to the crime scene. The sergeant’s riding with me.”
Looking from Viviana to Jax, Mick’s expression morphed from concern to covert delight. Shooting Greg a knowing wink, he nodded to Jax. “I’ll get right on that, sir.”
As Jax led Viviana toward the valet stand, a clearly agitated Enrique Vega, followed by Nicolas Garza and Sonia Vega, came out of the hotel. Striding toward them, Enrique glanced from Jax to Viviana. Not couching his surprise at the sight of Viviana wearing Jax’s suit coat, he asked, “Is everything all right, Viviana? We were told that there was a crisis.”
Jax stepped forward, blocking his approach. Glaring at Vega, he said curtly, “It’s a police issue. None of your concern, Counselor.”
Vega stepped back, then apparently decided to press. “Actually, Chief Hughes, it is my concern. Crime and police issues are at the heart of my campaign. I’m also concerned about Sergeant Moreau. She was my guest tonight, and I’d planned to see her home.”
Jax’s response was cordial, but a blind man with a cane could have seen the anger blazing in his slate-hard eyes. “Sergeant Moreau is on duty, Counselor. Unfortunately, given the severity of the crisis we are facing, none of us will be getting much sleep tonight.” Pulling Viviana closer to him, he added, “As for seeing the sergeant home, that won’t be necessary tonight or any night, for that matter. I’ve got her covered.”
A dark flush crept across Vega’s cheeks as he put up his hands in seeming acquiescence. “But of course. I was merely trying to ensure that Sergeant Moreau was taken care of. She left the dinner in a rush tonight, which concerned all of us.” Moving to the side, he faced Viviana directly. “I know you planned to join us at the Comstock rally tomorrow morning, Viviana. I will certainly understand if the crisis you and your fellow officers are dealing with makes that impossible.”
Viviana shook her head and turned away, her lips pressed together in a hard, white line. She was furious at Jax’s arrogant response to Enrique and almost as angry with Enrique for his clear provocation. Dear God, talk about a cockfight. She was deciding which of the arrogant men she despised more when Nicolas, being the brazen instigator that he was, apparently decided to enter the fray. Assuming an ersatz look of concern and not hiding the twinkle in his dark eyes, he gazed at her unusual garb and asked casually, “Are you cold, Sergeant?”
Jax turned a narrowed gaze on Nicolas, then nodded, a smile quirking his lips. “If you are referring to the fact that Sergeant Moreau is wearing my jacket, suffice it to say I’ve learned that you randy gents can handle only so much of Sergeant Moreau’s infamous gold lamé dress. Being the gentleman that I am, it seems unfair to wave a red flag in front of snorting bulls that can only look and not touch. In addition, chivalry demands that I protect the sergeant from her fawning admirers.”
Nicolas Garza nodded. “Wise move, Chief Hughes. You’re smart to understand the reaction that your woman provokes in the rest of us hapless aficionados, who regretfully acknowledge that the Enchantress is off limits.”
Jax gave a mirthless chuckle and said smoothly, “Good that you know your limitations, Mr. Garza.” Making it clear that Enrique was his target, Jax turned on the frowning candidate. “Best you stick to politics, Mr. Assistant Attorney General. If you lose, you can always pin it on your campaign staff or even on a public that was too ignorant to appreciate that their long-awaited messiah has come to life.” His smile widened and he said with a sardonic shrug, “But when the Enchantress shuts you down—as she will—you simply join an exceptionally large group of men who’ve tried and failed.”
Not waiting for an answer from the disconcerted group, Jax nodded to the valet who’d brought his car, then led Viviana to the passenger side and opened the door for her. He retrieved Viviana’s go-bag from Mick, who was standing off to the side, clearly enjoying the drama playing out before him. Tossing the bag into his car, Jax glanced over his shoulder at the Vega entourage. Shooting them a sly grin, he said with a pleasant tip of his head, “Good evening gentlemen, madam.” Rounding his classy automobile, he pressed a large bill in the appreciative valet’s hand and hopped into the car. The roar of the powerful engine and squealing tires underscored his dismissal of the group left standing in his wake.
Bracing her feet against the floor of the speeding automobile, Viviana wrenched her bag open and yanked out a pair of slacks and a sweater. Deciding against climbing into the back seat to undress, she unzipped her wrinkled dress. Knowing that it was probably ruined from their escapade in the hotel garden, she stripped it off and tossed it to the floor. She looked over to see Jax openly leering at her breasts that were overflowing the lacy cups of her underwire bra. Infuriated, she covered the straining flesh and snapped, “Why are you looking at me like that, Jax? Aren’t you supposed to be driving? It’s bad enough that you spent the last three hours humiliating me, but now you’re going to drive us into a ditch because you can’t keep your eyes on the road?”
Jax chuckled, then frowned. “Why am I looking at you ‘like that’? Because, Viviana, I can’t turn away from such an erotic sight. Besides, in a minute or so, I will have the pleasure of watching you struggle to get your rosy red ass into those tight pants of yours. Even the thought—much less the sight—of said ass gives me a hard-on.” He added with a cocky grin, “Too bad that arrogant pol doesn’t get to watch you transform from a hot babe in a wicked gold dress to an equally hot cop in skin-tight pants and a sweater.”
His cocky enjoyment of her awkward striptease infuriated her. But his taunting reference to Vega brought back the memory of the embarrassing public duel he and Enrique had fought at her expense. Dragging on the tight pants and shrugging into her sweater, Viviana glared at him. “That’s what this is all about, isn’t it, Jax? Your fucking dick contest with Enrique!” She fought against the sob rising in her throat and said bitterly, “I hate you, Jax. No, even more. I . . . I despise you!”
He shrugged as he guided the powerful car expertly through the speeding traffic. “Sorry, darlin’. That’s what happens when two alphas enter the ring.” He added, “Even though it’s crystal clear to anyone with a brain in his head which of the conceited assholes will win this contest. Hell, sweetheart, it ain’t even close.”
“That’s it, isn’t it, Jax? This is about you and your fucking pride. Whether everyone acknowledges you are the big man, the winner!” She brushed at the tears she couldn’t hold back and glared at him. “Too bad, Jax. I’m not a piece of meat for you two alpha dogs to chew over. You both lose. I despise you both!”
To her surprise, Jax jerked on the wheel and maneuvered the powerful car next to the curb close to the crime site. Slamming on the brakes, he reached for her. Grabbing her chin, he forced her to meet his steely gaze. “You’re wrong, Viviana. Yeah, I’m an arrogant son of a bitch. And I admit I acted like a first-class prick tonight. I didn’t know it was possible to be as angry as I am with you. But, sweetheart, to be clear, while it definitely involves that overbearing motherfucker Vega, this situation is about you and me. That fucking asshole just doesn’t get it. He doesn’t have a chance.” His jaw tightened further as he glowered at her. “To be clear. You are my woman, Viviana, and I’m your man. Case closed.”
After a long moment, he unsnapped her seat belt and nodded at the door. “Now, Sergeant Moreau, if you would, please. Get your classy, rosy red ass out of this car. It’s time you show who is the most strategic, most-feared police officer on this force as well as ninety-nine point nine percent of all cops.” With a wink, he added, “With the exception of your renowned police chief, whose most compelling achievement just may be the fact that he has managed to corral the uncontrollable Enchantress.”
At her aggrieved snort, he added with a grin, “Although, he admits that he had to surrender his heart in the process.”
****
Over the next two hours, Viviana talked to as many of the Diablos as she could, piecing together the violent attack that killed their leader and two other gang members. She managed to convince Paulo Fernandez, the third in command, to hold back the rest of the ravenous gang until Carlos Mendes came out of surgery.
She and Mick were deciding if it was worth staying at the hospital until Carlos regained consciousness when Jax joined them in the waiting room. Viviana should have known what was coming when she saw his stern expression.
“I just finished talking with the surgeon, Sergeant. It’s unlikely that we will be able to interview Carlos until tomorrow morning. I’m placing a four-man guard outside his room for the night to ensure that no one—good or bad—gets to him.” He focused a narrowed gaze on Viviana. “Which means, Sergeant, you can go home.”
When she started to object, he reached for her arm. “Look, Viviana, if you feel half as beat as you look, I’m surprised you’re still standing.” He turned to Mick, who was nodding in agreement. “Detective O’Reilly, will you please get your partner out of here. She needs to go home and get into bed. Now.”
Tightening his grip on her elbow, Jax frowned at her. “Sergeant, I can tell you’re running on empty. Which, in addition to getting your sensational bod into bed, means no ten-mile, pre-dawn runs tomorrow. You copy?” When she just shrugged and refused to look at him, Jax turned to Mick. “You have her car. I’m depending on you to take her home. And, Detective, don’t let her talk you into driving herself. You drop her off and then get her to the precinct at seven a.m. tomorrow morning. You got that, Mick?”
At Viviana’s attempt to pull away, he said, “Uh-uh, Sergeant. For once, Detective O’Reilly is going to see that you do as you’re told. Isn’t that right, Detective?” At Mick’s grinning nod, Jax pulled Viviana up next to him. He tipped up her chin, forcing her to look at him. “Go home and get some sleep. Do you understand? We need you at your best tomorrow.”
When she jerked away and started to follow Mick, he pulled her back and said gruffly, “And goddammit, Viviana, eat something. That’s an order.”