Daniel (Kings of Korruption MC) (5 page)

I feign shock. “You don’t say!”

We both chuckle, but the chuckle quickly fades for both of us and we end up staring into each other’s eyes. I know I shouldn’t be here. I know I shouldn’t touch her. But it’s like I have no control. I’m drawn to her.

Reaching out, I tip her chin up and move in closer. “Trust me, okay?” She nods, and I hear her swallow thickly. Her eyes are glued to my lips. Moving in, I brush my lips lightly against hers. “And no more crazy shit. Got it?”

She nods again, and I just smile, our lips barely touching. I’m about to pull away, not wanting to take advantage of her worry when she leans forward and presses her lips against mine. I freeze for a second, not sure what to do. When her hands come up and grasp my hair, I decide to go for it. Leaning into the kiss, I part my lips against hers.

When she pulls me even closer, I realize how bad this looks. An officer taking advantage of a civilian outside in the open. Pulling back, I paste on a smile. “Now that I know you’re okay, I have some work to do. Go inside and relax. I’ll let you know what I find out.”

She stares at me and nods, and I can’t help myself. I lean in and give her another soft brush with my lips. Pulling back, I smile. I wait for her to get inside her house and then try to ignore my erection as I walk to my car.

Gabby

I
t’s hard to believe it’s only three o’clock in the afternoon. So much has happened today. I woke up in a strange bed, jumped onto the back of a strange biker’s motorcycle, flipped off a sexy cop, confronted my estranged father, and then kissed that same sexy cop. The kiss was the best part.

I just met Daniel yesterday, but already we have been through a lot together. Sure, he’s bossy, which pisses me off, but I feel safe with him. It’s strange really, because I don’t feel safe with any man. No man, including my father, has ever given me reason to. Neither has my mother for that matter. I have always been my own safety net. So how come just two days with Daniel makes me want to finally trust someone else to do the job for me?

I walk into the bathroom, my thoughts swirling, but I stop in my tracks when I see my reflection.
Good God! Is this what I’ve looked like all day?
I look scary.
And I kissed Daniel like this!

Flipping on the shower, I start peeling off my rumpled clothes and jump inside. The water beats against my skin, doing little to wash away the tension I feel. After getting out, I go about my regular beauty routine, put my mass of curls up with a red bandana and pair my look with a cute little sundress I bought at a second-hand store last week.

I open the fridge to make myself something to eat, but am quickly reminded by the bare shelves that I haven’t had time to get to the grocery store this week. The cupboards are just as bare. Deciding the fresh air would do me some good, I slip on my shoes, grab my purse and walk the three blocks to the nearest café.

The Bean has a Caramel Macchiato that is sure to wake me up. I order the largest size and pair it with a Tuscan turkey wrap. The cashier writes my name on the tall plastic cup and I move to the line-up of people waiting for their orders to be made.

The bell on the door dings just as a trio young men spill inside, laughter echoing around the small coffee shop. Everyone eyes them uncomfortably, taking in their blue clothing and rough exterior. Crips. I look at the three men, foolishly hoping that one is Derrick. My heart flips when my eyes land on the third man.

Rushing forward, I grab his arm and pull him off to the side. “Tommy! I’ve been trying to reach you!” I keep talking, not even noticing when he yanks his arm from my grasp. “Derrick hasn’t been home in –”

“Bitch, you need to back the fuck off me,” he says, his face distorted in annoyance. “I didn’t call you back because I didn’t want to fuckin’ talk to you.” He glances back at the two guys he came in with, shaking his head in disgust. The two men eye us both, tension crowding the room in an instant.

I stare at him is shock. “
What
did you just say to me?”

“Bitch, you heard me. I know why you fuckin’ called. I just don’t care. Now if you don’t mind, I’m here to get a coffee and then me and the boys got shit to do.”

I grasp the front of his shirt and yank his body to mine. “You listen here you little shit. It wasn’t so long ago that I used to wipe the SpagettiO’s off your chin because your mother was too drunk to feed you. You remember that, Tommy?” I motion to the guys behind him and lower my voice. “You want to be tough in front of your boys, that’s your deal. But I swear to God, if you don’t tell me what happened to my brother, I will rip your balls off with my bare hands and use them to flavour your coffee. You hear me?”

He stares down at me as I speak, the anger in his face replaced with sadness for just a flash and then it’s gone. After a moment, he yanks himself out of my grasp and shakes his head. “Yeah I hear ya, Gabby. But if you were smart, you’d just let it go. Your brother got what was coming to him. It’s done now. Don’t get yourself involved. Do
you
hear
me
?”

I stare back at him, my eyes wide. What does that mean? Before I even get a chance to ask, Tommy shakes his head and walks out of the coffee shop, his buddies right on his heels and the barista is calling my name.

I don’t even approach the counter. My head spinning, I head for home, Tommy’s words playing over and over in my head.
Your brother got what was coming to him. It’s done now.
What the fuck did he mean? Tears cloud my vision as I close the door to my house. Pressing my back against it, I sink to the floor, wracked with harsh, gasping sobs.

Daniel

My phone rings from an unknown number just as I’m finishing up my paperwork. “Hello?”

“Lawson?”

I don’t recognize the gruff voice. “Yeah.”

“Gunner Monroe.” My body freezes. What the fuck would Gunner have to say to me?

“What can I help you with Mr. Monroe?”

“Well, Officer Lawson –”

“Sergeant. It’s Sergeant Lawson.”

He chuckles. “Okay. Sergeant Lawson… I couldn’t help but notice that you were sitting on my daughter’s doorstep when I dropped her off earlier. Are house calls a service that all city cops offer?”

I grit my teeth. “What’s your point Monroe?”

“Bosco also informed me that she came running out of
your
place this very morning. Is that true?”

I sigh. “That’s none of your business.”

An angry silence fills the line. “That’s my daughter, Lawson. I’d say that makes it my business.”

“Well, sir, I disagree. I met Gabby yesterday and I bet you that I already know her a hell of a lot better than you do. Now if you don’t mind getting to the point, I have work to do.”

“Fuck you, Lawson. You’re lucky your sister is family, or I’d have fucked you over months ago. Stay out of our shit and we won’t have any problems. That also means stay the fuck away from my daughter.” My jaw hardens at his tone. “Gabby and Derrick are family, and the Kings will find my son. We take care of our own.”

I snort. “Yeah. Sounds like you’ve done a great job when it comes to your kids. Look… the Kings are already being watched. I tell you that as a brother, scared for his sister, not a cop to a criminal. Let the cops do their jobs Monroe, and keep your boys out of trouble.”

I disconnect the call without waiting for a response. I’m just stuffing it back into my pocket when it rings again.

“Hello?” I drawl, sure that it’s Gunner calling to get the last word.

“Daniel?” Her voice is filled with tears and barely understandable. My gut clenches.

“Gabby! What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

She sobs softly. “I went… ” She sobs again, her voice muffled. “I … ” She blows her nose and I hear her take a deep breath. “Sorry… I went to the coffee shop to grab a late lunch. When I was there, Tommy walked in.” Her voice wavers again. “I tried to talk to him and he told me to back off. He said that–” I can hear the exact second she loses what little control she had, but she pushes through, her voice heavy with tears. “He said that Derrick got what was coming to him and that it’s done now.” Another sob takes over. “What the hell does that even mean Daniel?”

It means that Derrick is in serious trouble, that’s what it means, but I’m not about to tell Gabby that. “I don’t know, baby. Where are you right now?”

She sniffs. “Home. I called you as soon as I got back.”

I stand up, already moving to my car. “Okay, baby. You hold tight. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

“No, Daniel. You don’t have to do that.”

“I said, I’ll be there in ten minutes. No arguments.”

Another sniff. “Okay. But Daniel?” I swing into my car and start it up, waiting for her to argue again. “Can you bring me something to eat. I’m hungry and I never did get my Tuscan turkey wrap or my macchiato.”

I chuckle as I pull out of my parking spot. “Yeah, babe. I’ll bring you some food.”

I hear a small smile in her still sad voice as she whispers, “See you soon.”

I disconnect the call and drive down the street, pushing the Bluetooth button and directing it to call dispatch.

“Ottawa City Police. How may I help you?”

“Hey, Nancy. Lawson, here. I need you to look up a Tommy Lewis for me. Approximately 19 years old. Lives on the west side. I need everything you can find on this kid. Address, known hangouts, priors, any warrants — everything. I’ll call back in a bit and get the info from ya.”

“You got it Sergeant Lawson. I’ll see what I can find.”

“Thanks Nancy.” I disconnect and tap my fingers on the steering wheel. This Tommy kid and I need to have a little chat.

Gabby

W
aiting for Daniel to show up at my house gives me a little time to settle down. Now I’m just angry. Tommy and Derrick have been best friends since the day they started school, fifteen years ago. Over the years he spent way more time in our house than he did in his own. I hadn’t been lying when I reminded him about how I fed him. I have. For years I have.

Tommy’s mother is an alcoholic who has never had much use for her son. At least at our house, I was able to make sure he was fed, and when he was younger, I even bathed him. Our own mother may not have had a lot of time for us, but in her own flighty way I always knew she loved us. Tommy couldn’t say the same. I cared for Tommy like a little brother and had quickly accepted responsibility for him when I was basically just a kid myself.

That’s what made his words even worse today. It was like a slap to the face after all those years I spent caring for him when he needed someone to do just that. Sitting here, stewing in my anger, I think over all the things I should’ve said or done differently. I should have slapped his mouth and kicked his ass. I should have chased him down and told him off. Funny how these ideas always seem to come to you long after the situation that pissed you off in the first place is over.