Consumed (5 page)

Victoria

“Good morning,” I say to Reggie after sliding into the seat of his car.

“Morning.” He doesn’t glance over, and I barely get the door closed before he’s taking off. As I stare at him, his defined jaw shifts, and he rolls his shoulder back. It’s something I’ve watched him do many times when he’s trying to ease his tension.

He says nothing before we stop at the local coffee shop, where I buy us both drinks. I barely get a thank you when I return and hand it to him.

It’s apparent he’s upset this morning, which means after he’s finished sulking, we will be talking about it.

Reggie’s eyes keep tilting up to the rearview mirror as he drives us to work.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

“I think someone followed us from your apartment. The same SUV I noticed after I picked you up is behind us once again, which shouldn’t be the case since we stopped for a while.”

I glance in the passenger mirror, but I can’t see the driver of the vehicle. Yesterday with Adrian will be one of the most memorable days in my life, and I felt only contentment when he dropped me off last night.

Now, I’m feeling the normal anxiety associated with my job and dealing with a tense Reggie. He pulls into the station parking lot and comes to an abrupt stop.

The SUV he believed was following us passes, and the man’s head jerks right over toward us to take a look. Once he realizes we’ve stopped, his head whips forward, so I barely get a glance at him.

“We were definitely being followed. I don’t like it, and it’s probably because of who you are associating with,” Reggie says tersely.

“You were the one always insisting I quit because nothing illegal was happening there.”

Slamming his palm down on the steering wheel, he throws his head back against the seat.

“Dammit, I care about you, Vic. Please don’t be with Adrian Cassano.”

“I can’t help that I love him.” After hitting the gas pedal harder than necessary, Reg finds a spot and parks. I’m not in the mood for his shit this morning.

Instantly, I grab the door handle. I don’t look back, but I believe I’m in the building before he ever gets out of the car.

Adrian

“You were at the property late,” Theo states as he stands in front of my desk.

“I showed Victoria the Roadster and the view of the city.”

“Did she have a good time?”

“Yes.” I finally look up at my brother. He’s grinning, so I roll my eyes.

“I have one of my two kids trying to sleep in my bed every night. I can barely get sex with Karen on a mattress, so it sure as hell isn’t happening anywhere else. Please give me some details.”

“Not happening. You have two younger brothers who probably screw everywhere besides a bed so ask them. Besides, I don’t want you fantasizing about Victoria.”

“I’m fucking with you. I just wanted to see if you would get jealous and you managed to.”

Tossing my pen down, I sit back in my chair.

“I’m pissed this morning. Our night was perfect, but knowing she’ll be working closely with Reggie all day, every day, is driving me nuts.”

“She chose you, bro, so you have to let it go and trust her.”

I swivel in my chair and stare out over the Strip.

“I lost Kelly when she was spending all her time with another man and I couldn’t be there.”

“Adrian, this is hardly the same thing. You’re right here, for one. You can see Victoria as much if not more than Reggie can.

“She’s not Kelly, and you shouldn’t even be comparing the two relationships. You were much younger back then. Everything is different now, including you.”

Theo’s phone rings, so he pulls it from his pocket to answer. In a matter of seconds, he’s ending the call without a word and turning on my television.

“The two men found shot to death in Ward County, Texas, were suspected terrorists believed to be headed to Dallas,” says the female news anchor.

“The two Middle Eastern men were found in a vehicle at a rest area off of I-20 with single gunshot wounds to the head. The FBI has taken over this investigation, and we will bring you details as they become available,” she adds.

“Boone wants you to call him,” Theo says.

I tap my fingers on my desk as I think about the news report. “I will now.” He leaves as I pull a disposable cell from my desk and dial the number for the leader of my special ops team.

“I can explain,” Boone says as soon as he answers.

“Tell me you’re responsible for this.”

“I am, but we had to let them cross the border first. As you know, Hammond is on the inside. He had to help these men cross to gain trust from Victor.”

“I understand.”

“You do?”

“I know I said another better never cross the US border, but you took care of the problem, and this sends a clearer message to the terrorist community.”

“My thinking exactly, but uh … we might need to let one by. It was too risky with these two.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Ace, we can’t pick off every one of them we help get through. That would look suspicious, too. We have to be patient.”

I rub my forehead and blow out a loud breath. He’s right, but the thought of helping a drug lord transport a terrorist into this country makes me want to vomit.

“One, but it has to be someone already on the government’s watch list, and I want a definitive plan in place for his future execution,” I say.

“I’ll keep you informed.” Boone ends the call, and I blow out a nervous breath.

I have to do this for you, Dad, and our country.

Victoria

My foot taps, and I’ve drawn blood from my lip. I release the hold my teeth have on it when Reggie strolls out of Sergeant Bishop’s office. He’s been in there twenty minutes.

Sitting back across from me at his desk, his dark eyes lift to meet mine. He’s wearing a defeated expression, and I don’t like the bad feeling I’m getting.

“I’m sorry, Vic.”

“What did you do?” I ask. Bishop opens his door.

“Victoria, in my office now.”

Shit, I knew he would ask for another partner.

“Whatever Reggie wants is fine, but please don’t stick me with Tucker,” I say to my boss as I shut his door.

“Sit, Victoria. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Didn’t Reggie ask to change partners?” I take a chair and wait for his reply.

“No, he didn’t. He told me about your unauthorized investigation at Hotel Submission and Casino.”

“That snitch,” I sneer before looking over my shoulder, wishing Bishop’s blinds were open so I could give Reggie the death stare.

“He’s concerned for your safety. I, on the other hand, am sick of your disobedience. I’m reporting you for suspension, and this is your last warning. Demotion is next.”

“I’m not working there. I already quit.”

“It’s too late.”

“You can’t do this. I am allowed to work a second job.”

“Are you willing to sign a statement that you weren’t there to investigate Adrian Cassano and his brothers?”

“No, I can’t do that.”

“Then this is settled.”

I storm from Bishop’s office, and Reggie stands as soon as he sees me charging toward him. “You asshole!”

“Victoria, let me explain.”

“I swear if I wouldn’t lose my job, I would throat punch you.”

His hands go up in front of him. “Calm down.”

“You could’ve given me a heads up that if I didn’t become your fuck partner, I would be snitched on.”

Reggie glances around our large office, which has suddenly become silent.

“That’s not fair, Vic. You know that’s not how this is.”

I feel my fists tighten, so I hurry to my desk and grab my purse. I’m going to injure him if I don’t get the hell out of here.

After stepping into the bright Nevada sun, I hear Reg calling my name. “Go to hell,
Reginald
.”

He grabs my arm and swings me around.

“I’ve never thought of you as a fuck, Victoria. I care about you and can’t sit back and let you go to that hotel.”

“You knew I quit Submission, so why would you even go to him about this unless you wanted to hurt me.”

His hands grip my biceps, and he ducks his head to stare into my eyes. “Victoria, I wanted Bishop to tell you to stay the hell away from that place.”

“Instead, I’m probably going to be suspended and lose my pay. I guess you want me to have to work a second job.” I give Reggie a sardonic smile. “Maybe I should shack up with Adrian. You know, let him take care of me and forget working altogether.”

Growling, Reg looks away from me. “I admit I didn’t think this through. I was pissed this morning and reacted.”

I try to pull away, but his grip on my arms tightens as he looks back into my eyes.

“Victoria, I love you. I’m sorry I got you in trouble, but that’s why. I love you, and I’m desperate to get you away from Adrian.”

Reg tries to lean his forehead against mine, but I pull back from him. It’s not because I’m pissed. Now, it’s because I’m sad.

I’m heartbroken that the friendship we had seems to be crumbling before my eyes. He doesn’t realize it, but he stated the exact reason we can’t love each other.

“Did you hear yourself? You said you were pissed and didn’t think this through. You only reacted. That’s me, Reggie.

“We’re too much alike. We could never be together. We would fight all the time and hurt each other. I feel it. We’re both too impulsive and moody.”

“No, we’ve only been arguing because of him.” He’s shaking his head with too much emphasis, needing to convince himself.

“We’ve always fought, Reg. Always, and I love Adrian. I don’t know how many times I have to say that. What I have with him is good for me, so you have to let this go.”

Jerking free from him, I march down the street toward the nearest bus stop. Knowing I don’t have any warnings left on my job means it’s inevitable I’m going to lose it. I will never learn to control my temper or actions.

To imagine not being a detective hurts, and I feel I’m losing my hold on everything that keeps me grounded. My job and my friendship to Reg … my heart. Adrian already took that from me. Once on the bus, my cell rings.

“Hi, Nicole,” I say to my sister.

“Tell me you’re free tonight.”

“I’m free.”

“Great. Mom, Sadie, you and me are going to dinner and to get manicures.”

“I really shouldn’t spend the money, but I apprec—”

“My treat. It’s a special occasion, so I’m paying for everyone.”

“What time?”

“Sadie and Mom are picking me up at six, and we’ll swing by to get you after.”

“OK, see you then.” Hanging up with my older sister, I decide to send Adrian a message. I need him right now.

Me:
Hi, I miss you.

Adrian:
I miss you, too. How is your day?

Me:
Uh, it looks like I’ll involuntarily have the next few days off, so that should say how my day is going.

My phone begins to ring. Shit, it’s Adrian. Do I mind if he knows about what Reggie did? It’s not like they will be hanging out. “Hi,” I say.

“What the hell happened?”

“Reggie told my boss about my investigation at your hotel.” It’s quiet for several seconds. “Adrian, are you there?”

“Yes. Why would he do that?”

“He was pissed at me because I want to be with you.”

“Baby, tell me exactly what he said and did.”

I’m quiet now.

“Answer me, Victoria.”

“He tried to kiss me yesterday, but I pushed him off immediately, and he claims he loves me. That’s it besides snitching on me, which will inevitably shorten the time I am a detective.”

We continue taking turns owning the silence. “Adrian, please say something.”

“I need to see you. Please stay with me tonight.”

“OK. I’m going to dinner with my mom and sisters, but I can come over after.” The quiet has me feeling a need to explain myself. “I don’t have romantic feelings for him, Adrian.”

“I believe you.”

“I love you, and I’ll see you tonight.”

“I love you, too.”

Adrian

“You so much as look at her like you want her, and I will destroy you,” I say to Reggie as he steps from his car at a bar I know he frequents.

He jumps from my voice and spins around.

“I knew you were having me followed.”

“I didn’t follow you. I figured you would need a drink after what you did to Victoria. I can only imagine the wrath you received from her.”

“She already told you, huh?”

“She told me more than that.” I push off my car I’ve been leaning against and stroll toward him. He straightens his gait, preparing for an attack. I get within inches of him, and he puffs his chest out.

“You fucked up yesterday when you put your mouth on hers and again today when you hurt her and drew attention to my business.”

“I was trying to protect her.”

“That’s my job now. She doesn’t need your help.”

Reggie sucks in a sharp breath and grasps the back of his neck. He wants to hit me, but I guarantee I want to hurt him more.

“Adrian, we’ve been friends a long time, and you know I support your cause, but I can’t sit back and watch you put her in serious danger. You aren’t dealing with petty crime.”

“I’m not going to let anyone hurt her.”

He glances around the parking lot.

“I told my sergeant there is no reason to suspect anything at your hotel. And as far as kissing Victoria, I had as much right as you to let her know how I feel about her, but she made it clear who she wants.”

I point a finger at his face. “Don’t fucking touch her, and don’t jeopardize her job ever again.”

Crossing his arms, Reggie stares up at the sky.

“I didn’t mean to hurt her. Honestly, she deserves better than the both of us.” Slowly lowering his head, he squints, giving me a fixed look.

“I’ll back off and stay out of your relationship, but you better keep her in the dark of what you’re doing so she stays safe.

“Victoria wouldn’t be able to ignore your business if she found out. I don’t want her to be forced to choose between right and wrong or you and the law. You’ll end up getting her killed.”

“If she finds out, I’ll have to give her up, so I have no intentions of letting that happen.”

“I’ll still help you ensure she stays safe and clueless. Not to mention, I have a life sentence of feeling indebted to you. Some days I wish you had left me to die in that Humvee.”

Reggie marches off, and I’m unsure if there is more to say. Then, the images of war I battle so hard to forget flood my mind. He brought it up because he knows that. Asshole.