CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

LIAM

Damn, I was happy. 

Like, genuinely so. The happiest I’d felt in years. 

Hazel made my life feel good and lighthearted again. Even my job couldn’t make me wipe the damn smile off my face when I saw her.

We could talk each other’s ears off and also enjoy quiet time together. Our adventures in the bedroom ran the gamut from slow, sensual lovemaking to BDSM that would make a porn star blush. She loved it all, as did I. 

Her favorite kink was towing the line between pleasure and pain. She loved having her limits tested and nothing made me harder than thinking of new ways to make her come and scream. The other night I spanked her ass raw as I fucked her, then pulled on her nipple clamps as the climax ripped through her. I swore she orgasmed for ten straight minutes. 

Night time was usually our kinky playtime and we saved morning for lovemaking, but I wanted this evening to be different.

After two blissful weeks of seeing each other without labels, I wanted to ask her to be my girlfriend officially. And I wanted to go all-out. 

I got all the ingredients for a romantic steak dinner at my house, including scented candles and a sunflower bouquet from Dahlia’s Blooms for the centerpiece. 

For later in the evening, I tucked a silky red blindfold in my back pocket to wrap around her eyes when the time was right. When I led her to the bedroom, she’d find more silk ties for all four of her limbs at each corner of the mattress. 

I couldn’t wait to see how the red luxurious fabric contrasted against her naked, creamy skin. My cock pulsed eager with just the mere thought of my woman spread out and tied to my bed. 

Of course, it wouldn’t end there. She’d feel the most delicious tendrils of pain, the most earth-shattering pleasure and everything in between. And she would succumb to it all because she belonged to me.

My phone vibrated with a text message just as I seasoned the filet mignon and began heating up the skillet. Figuring it was Hazel telling me she was on her way over, I took my time washing my hands and lighting the candles on the table. 

When I saw the message was actually from Solomon, my heart dropped into my stomach. 

Fuck, this can't be good. 

He never texted me outside of the schedule we agreed upon. 

"We got issues. I'm coming over right now," read the message. 

"Fuck," I muttered in frustration. Whatever it was had to be bad. Sol and I only spoke in public places and over the phone. He never came to my house. We weren't remotely close to friends or even allies, really. We just allowed each other to peacefully coexist. 

His timing also could not be worse. Hazel would be over soon and she still remained blissfully unaware of my arrangement with him. 

The more she and I spent time together, the more it gnawed at me that she didn't know about my dealings with Solomon. The department being unaware was one issue, but this woman was quickly becoming the closest person to my closed-off heart. She was the only one who knew about my hesitation to marry Katie. Anyone else would have crucified me if they'd known. 

Keeping this other secret from her weighed heavily on my soul. Still, it was safer that she didn't know. And that was my main priority and the single vow I wanted to keep since I lost Katie. She might find out later, she might not. She might end up hating me later but at least she would be out of harm's way. 

As expected, Sol's rumbling muscle car roared down my street not two minutes later. The engine was so loud, someone's car alarm went off a few houses down from mine. 

He stopped abruptly in front of my house and left the engine running as he got out and slammed the door, taking long, quick strides up to my porch. 

I opened the door without waiting for him to knock. 

"Hey asshole, thanks for being discreet about coming over. I really appreciate it," I seethed at him. 

His usual easygoing grin and relaxed demeanor were gone, replaced by a hard scowl and tense, square shoulders.

"I'll be quick, Barnes. No time for pleasantries," he replied.

"Well, hurry the fuck up. I got company coming over." 

With his loud car, slicked back hair and two full sleeves of tattoos on display, Hazel would definitely ask questions as to why he was here. 

"Someone's trying to encroach on our delivery route," he said in a low voice. "A familia from Winters noticed we don't have competition coming through Cloverville. They want this easy peasy cheddar for themselves and they're starting to make trouble." 

"So? You're a boss. You have soldiers. Handle it," I spat, incredulous that a criminal was bringing his territory disputes to my front door.

"Oh, we can absolutely handle it," Sol replied, the first hint of a smirk coming to his lips. "But they have manpower and weapons on a similar scale as ours. If we handle it our way, Cloverville's pretty picture facade is going to crumble, at least temporarily until we drive the pests out." 

I folded my arms across my chest. A sudden spike in crime would put a lot of people on edge and also raise questions in the department.

"Now if we do that," Sol continued. "My main concern is more of you blue uniforms poking around my business when the dust settles. I would prefer to nip this in the bud and continue with our arrangement as is."

"So what do you suggest?" I asked. 

"Help us set up a sting," he answered, his dark eyes gleaming. "We caught one of their soldiers and made the bastard talk. We know exactly when their next peacock display is going down. Come with us to take 'em out and they'll know the blue line is on our side and leave us in peace." 

"I'm not on your side," I growled, stabbing a finger at him. His idea was good but I never wanted to give the impression that I was on the payroll of criminals.

"Whatever you say, boss," he replied, holding his hands up in mock surrender. "You gonna help or not?" 

I rubbed my jaw as I mulled it over in my mind.

I had to. It was the only way my cover wouldn't be blown and their stupid gang warfare wouldn't be brought to the streets. If I helped them out in the right way, no suspicion would arise from the department. 

"I'll do it," I said. "Call the station tomorrow and leave an anonymous tip. Tell them what you know and that you want me on it. Then text me the details and we'll go from there." 

His wide, charming grin broke out for the first time since he showed up. 

"I knew you'd make the right decision, Barnes. Man to man, I appreciate this." 

"Yeah, whatever. Get the fuck out of here before my girlfriend sees me talking to you." 

"Girlfriend? You mean that fine piece of ass from the wine bar?" He made a fist and bit at his tattooed knuckles to emphasize his approval. "I could tell that was some bomb pussy just from looking at her." 

"Fucking. Leave. Now," I hissed. 

"Talk to you tomorrow, Barnes," he laughed as he turned around and started toward the driveway. "Ah, here's the lovely lady now." 

 Fuck! No, no, no!

"Um, hi." I heard Hazel's tentative greeting as she approached the house. She must have had to park down the street since Solomon's car blocked my driveway. 

He nodded at her and stepped aside to let her pass, holding his arm out like a perfect gentleman in my direction.

"Evening, miss," he said to her with his signature smile and the charm turned up 100%. The moment she walked in front of him, he winked at me and thrust in the air aggressively behind her before getting into his car. 

“Hey beautiful,” I greeted with a strained smile as she approached me, the curiosity already growing behind her eyes. 

“Hey.” She planted a peck on my lips. “Who’s that guy, again?” she asked.

I opened my mouth to say nobody but stopped myself. 

She remembered him. I couldn’t outright lie to her face. But goddamn it, I didn’t want to be making this decision right here and now. 

All my instincts told me to be honest. Tell her what was really going on. She was a smart girl. She’d understand. 

No. Look at the big picture, Barnes. You need to keep her safe. The less she knows, the safer she is. Who knows if she says the wrong word to the wrong person. 

Every passing second that I didn’t answer her question just made the decision that much worse. I could see the curiosity growing into suspicion behind her beautiful green eyes.

“Liam? Who is he?” she repeated.