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“Thanks, you can go,” she said, dropping her purse onto the kitchen table.
A sheet of paper fluttered to the floor. She picked it up. It was a note from Charlie:
Hey sweets, I figure by now that hunk of burning love has gotten down on his knees and begged for forgiveness. I hope you gave it to him; he’s a once in-a-lifetime guy if he managed to take his pride out of his dick. If none of the above occurred, color me the worst best friend in the world. Steven called hysterical because I hadn’t come back last night. I calmed him down, but you know what a drama queen he is. Shoot me a text if you need me to pick up any pieces and I’ll drag my queen north and we can eat popcorn in bed and watch our fave movie, To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, together.
Xoxoxo
C
Izzy was gri
“Everything all right?”
“Peachy,” she said, crumbling the paper and tossing it into the trash can near the sink. She turned around and leaned against the counter, acutely aware that it was the same exact place where just the morning before Fly
Life challenged her on so many different fronts. It seemed like she could never catch a break. But it only made her more determined to carve out her own path and live life on her terms, not the universe’s. Because the universe was a bitch.
Deciding to give Fly
“Where’s your roommate?”
“Santa Cruz.”
“I don’t feel comfortable leaving you here alone.”
“I’m a big girl, Special Agent. I have dead bolts on each one of the doors and locks on each of the windows. I have a kubaton I know how to use and a few slick self-defense moves. ”
“That won’t stop anyone who wants to get in here.”
“Would it stop you?” she asked, cocking her head to the side.
“No.”
“What would stop you?” she asked, then quickly answered, “Oh, wait, your ego.” She laughed caustically. The hurt still stung deep. Damn him for lighting her up only to snuff her out.
Hopping off the counter, she strode to the door, unlocked it, and then opened it wide. “We’re done here, Fly
Fly
His cell phone rang. He took it from his pocket. It was Justin.
“Ryker.”
“Where are you?”
“At Miss Fuentes’s place. I just dropped her off.”
“Stay there, we’re en route.”
Fly
“Me and Price.”
“Why you and Price?”
“I want to discuss using Miss Fuentes as a UC at the club. If she agrees, Price will handle her.”
Anger flared. “Bullshit! You gave me your word you’d only tap her for information.”
“I need more information, information only she can get, and to get it, she needs to go back to the club and work it.”
“No.”
“What’s the problem here, Fly
“The problem is she isn’t trained. The problem is if she’s turned loose in there, she’s going to get hurt. And I have a big problem with that.”
“Are you involved?”
“That’s none of your damn business.”
“It is if it impacts this case. We’ve spent years trying to get in there. She’s in. If she’s agreeable, we’re going to capitalize on that.”
Fly
“Look, man, you know how this works,” Justin said. “This is task force 101. We’ll protect her. Now step back and let me do my job.”
“Got it,” Fly
“Is something wrong?” Pink asked from the door.
Fly
“Now?”
“Yes.”
“Do they have news about Alex?”
“No.” He wished they did; that way, Pink would have no more use for them.
When she stepped out onto the porch and stared up at him for a long thoughtful minute, Fly
“Why are you so angry?” she asked.
What was he supposed to tell her? That Maddox Price, the biggest skirt chaser in the city, had his sights set on her and was going to be handling her while they used her to get to Sorlov? That he wanted to make love to her, but couldn’t because he’d want to again. That he wasn’t capable of giving her what she wanted and deserved. To be loved? Was he supposed to tell her that he hated himself for being such an ass for hurting her? That it infuriated him that he was forced to be hands-off with this investigation, all because of what he did to Stiles? That he was a bystander this time around? Or should he tell her that he was scared to death for her and his hands were tied because he’d blown it and she wanted nothing to do with him. Hell, if he asked to sleep on her sofa to make sure she was safe, she’d tell him to hit the road. Could he blame her?
“I’m angry because they want you to make another video and officially become their under cover, classified informant at the club. I’m angry because I know you’re going do it and there’s not a damn thing I can do to stop you.”
“I’m sorry you don’t understand how much it means to me to do this, despite the risks to my safety.”
“Why?” he shouted, losing his patience with her motive. “To bring back a sister who has never stepped up for you? Who won’t even acknowledge your existence? Do you think by doing this, you’ll get them to welcome you back into the fold with open arms?” Fly
Tears filled her eyes, then spilled down her cheeks.
“At least I’m willing to take the shot, Fly
Turning, she walked back into the house, leaving him standing on the porch, never feeling more alone in his life.
Chapter Twenty
Decked out in her Surf’s Up uniform—pink string bikini, blue spike wig, full-blown makeup, and pink peek-a-boo heels—Izzy paced nervously in the small living room as Justin typed up a summary of what they had discussed and how it was all going down.
From the moment she strode into the room fifteen minutes ago, Fly
“You didn’t have a problem with my attire Saturday night, Fly
She knew damn well what had changed, and damn if she was going to let him boss her around. She wasn’t an exhibitionist, but she worked hard to stay in shape and had no inhibitions about her body.