“Just you and Travis?” he repeats.
“Yep. Just us.”
Sig looks like he wants to say something, but he doesn’t. I pray that he doesn’t argue. I don’t want to hurt his feelings when he’s just trying to be nice. But I will if I have to. I have my priorities and Travis is number one. And that includes keeping any secrets that could risk him.
“Does Lance ever come over?”
“He has a few times, but usually just to get me. He knows about Travis. He either just picks me up or I go over there.”
“And you spend all of your nights here? Like you have recently?”
I know what he’s asking. I gulp and will my cheeks not to turn red with embarrassment. “Yes, I spend them here. With Travis.”
Sig shakes his head slowly. “And he spends them with…company.”
I take a deep breath and nod. “Yes.”
“Well, if you change your mind, I only live a couple blocks away.”
“You do?” An unexpectedly warm sensation spreads through my belly, like temptation itself just moved in next door and I can feel the sensual fire of its welcome all the way through to my core. I almost wish I didn’t know, that Sig hadn’t told me. Knowing he’s close. I shiver. “Did Lance tell you to do that? Move in close, I mean.”
“Nope. Just coincidence, I guess. If you believe in that kind of thing.”
“You don’t?”
“Not at all. I believe in fate, though.”
His dark whiskey eyes are fixed on mine, unmoving, unwavering. They lure me in, in to him, to his trust, to his web, so I back away. I know what lies in the web–a spider. That’s what always lies in the web. Never anything good.
“I believe in making the right choices.”
“And you think Lance Tonin is the right choice?”
“For me? For now? Yes.”
“Until something better comes along?”
“Something like that.”
Sig leans across the seat toward me. “I’m something better.”
“Are you?”
“I am.”
I search his eyes. For his meaning, for his game, for his plan. I find nothing, nothing but want. It gleams there beneath the chocolate like a shiny penny, hidden, but just barely. I wonder if he’s even trying to conceal it.
“Thanks again for the ride,” I say and I close the door behind me. I’m all the way inside, leaning against the wall in my bedroom when I finally hear Sig’s engine start. I don’t move until the deep rumble has disappeared down the street.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN- SIG
I’ve got her. She may not be absolutely sure about that yet, but I am. It’s just a matter of time. Keep doing what I’m doing and she’ll be mine.
I think about the information that I could glean from her once I have her on the hook. If I can just convince her of how much better off she’ll be without Tonin in her life, we could take him down together. It would be an amazing bust. My career would skyrocket. I’d have my pick of assignments. And Tommi would be free.
So then why do I feel guilty?
Because it’s counterproductive, I choose not to dwell on the answer.
Just over an hour later, I’m delving into warehouses near Finch’s location using the secure connection the department had installed in my undercover hovel. My phone rings and I see Barber’s number come up.
“Sig,” I answer flatly.
“Where the hell are you?”
“Home. Why?”
“Why the hell aren’t you with Tommi? Your job is to keep eyes on her at all times. That’s what you’re paid for.”
“She asked me to leave. Besides, she’s just at home with her brother and then she’s going out with Tonin. I didn’t think–”
“You don’t get paid to think. You get paid to make sure she’s safe. Get your ass over there.”
How the hell did he know I’m not over there?
“She doesn’t want me in her house because of Travis and–”
“Never step foot inside unless she’s in trouble, asshole. Lance’ll have you shot. Keep an eye on her from outside. Like you’ve been doing.”
So they’ve been checking up on me. Or on Tommi. Or both.
“On my way,” I snap before I hang up. I’m used to taking orders from my captain and from a few superiors I respect. From my father on occasion, even. But it goes against the grain to jump when a shithole like Barber or Tonin gives me an order. But I’ll do it. Because it’ll be that much sweeter when I bring ‘em all down.
After I lock up, I’m walking to my truck when I see a familiar car drive by. My older brother, Steven, gives me a nod as he passes. Even from this distance, I can see the concern in his black-as-damn-night eyes.
After Mom died when I was younger, Steven took on the role of second father to me and my other siblings, Scout and Sloane. For some reason, when Dad got all distant, his way of drowning in his grief I guess, Steven stepped up to keep an eye on the family. Maybe it was his personality to begin with. Maybe it was the way he reacted to Mom’s death. Maybe it was his age. Who the hell knows? I just know that from pretty much the day after she died, he’s had a stick permanently lodged in his ass.
I turn my head and keep my eyes on him as he goes, frowning in suspicion in case anyone is watching me. That’s what a criminal would do. It’s not uncommon for cops to cruise through areas like this, and with Tommi being Tonin’s girlfriend, I’m sure these streets get it more than others. But still, it was a helluva risk for Steven to take. I know why he did it. He can’t stand not being able to check on me. He’s a control freak that way and since he got promoted in his division, he’s even worse. Power went straight to his head. Thinks he’s gotta parent the shit out of the rest of us. He oughta know by now, though, that I don’t need parenting. I’ll have to remind him with a sucker punch to the nads as soon as I get this case closed up tight. Then he can buy me a beer while I tell him the awesome way I took down a drug lord.
The thought makes me smile. It’s been a lifelong practice of mine to give my brother as much shit as I can. It usually works out well for me. He’s easy to taunt and ruffle.
I take my truck the short drive to Tommi’s house and I park across the street.
From my position, I have a decent view into Tommi’s back yard. I see her take something out to the trash–maybe leftovers from dinner?–and then, about thirty minutes later, I watch her hang three sets of sheets on the line. Three. It reminds me of the woman in the back bedroom and the way Tommi takes care of her. And the toll it seems to take.