Consumed Read online

  “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.”

  Chapter Seven

  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.

  Victoria

  “I’m pregnant!’ Nicole blurts out at dinner.

  Mom and Sadie cover their mouths and squeal at the same time. My lower jaw is hanging open.

  Nicole is grinning as a few tears drip onto her cheeks. Mom is sitting next to her and brushes away the tears on one side.

  I think those are happy tears. My self-absorbed sister is looking forward to caring for another human being. I’m shocked.

  “Wow, congratulations. What does Katsu think about it?” Katsu is my brother-in-law. He’s Japanese but was born and raised in Nevada.

  “He’s thrilled. This wasn’t an accident, Vic. I thought you would be happier for me.”

  “I am happy. I’m also surprised. You’ve never mentioned wanting kids.”

  “I have too mentioned it. You and I just don’t spend enough time together to discuss it.”

  My eyebrows scrunch as I wince from her remark. She’s right. I tend to
avoid my family. I’m not as girly as Nicole and my mom, and Sadie is super smart, so I tend to feel inadequate around them for various reasons.

  Reaching across the table, I squeeze Nicole’s hand.

  “I’m going to be an aunt.” I give her the smile I know she needs, but inside I’m shaken from all the changes in my world in a short span of time.

  After dinner, we get our manicures, something I’m beginning to love. Mom and Nicole ask about Adrian, and I tell them the innocent parts of my date from last night.

  They can’t stop with their probing, asking about marriage and babies, so Sadie comes to the rescue, making them back off.

  Adrian is the first man I could imagine myself marrying or having a family with, but to think about those life changes is something else that triggers a flight response from me.

  After we leave the salon, Sadie drops off Mom, and then she and I go inside Nicole’s to hug Katsu and congratulate him on the baby news. Shocking headline is more like it. We soon begin our ride home in my sis’s old Ford Focus.

  “So, how is school and work going?” I ask.

  “School is stressful, but I’m doing well. Professor Edward has piled the research on me, but it barely pays shit, so I’m going to have to get another job.” My sister assists a professor on campus and is paid with grant money he receives.

  “Uh, why are you helping him then?” I ask.

  “I guess because he’s so close to making some major scientific breakthroughs. He needs me and doesn’t get much funding on his projects.”

  “Oh, my god, you slept with him.”

  “No, I didn’t,” she says loudly after whipping her head my way. “He’s my teacher.” Her tone is one of disapproval for even suggesting such a thing.

  “That doesn’t stop everyone.”

  “I’ve gone on some dates with a guy in one of my classes. Robert is his name. He’s smart and confident, but he’s all about himself. All the men I’m around seem to only want their needs met, if you know what I mean. Is that normal?”

  My sister’s engine begins to cut out, so she pulls off to the side of the road. It dies right when she comes to a stop.

  “Oh, no. I can’t afford to have my car repaired right now,” she whines before slamming her palm down onto the steering wheel.

  Sadie has always been fiercely independent like me. She moved out at eighteen, surviving on little. “It’s dark, and this isn’t the safest road.”

  “Thanks, sis. I can keep us safe.”

  “You were pistol-whipped less than two weeks ago. I’m not counting on your protection.”

  Before I can respond, headlights blind me as a vehicle pulls up to the rear bumper of her car.

  “Dammit, see, someone is going to attack us. I know it.” OK, Sadie is fiercely independent but is an anxious person and a bit dramatic at times.

  “Let me handle it.” I pull my purse from the floor into my lap and position my pistol to where I could access it quickly. A guy bends down and peers into my passenger window.

  Simon.

  “Hey, I know him. Isn’t that Adrian’s brother?” Sadie asks.

  She turns the key over, and I’m able to roll down the window. “Simon, what are you doing here?”

  “I saw the car stopped and thought we might be able to help.” He glances beside him, so I strain my head and see Kruse standing to his left. Hmmm …. Interesting that he happens to be in the area. Purely coincidental? My gut is telling me maybe not.

  “Uh, I appreciate it, but we can call a towing service. My sister, Nicole, doesn’t live far from here, so I’m sure she can give us a ride.”

  Sadie grabs my arm. “I can’t afford a tow truck,” she says quietly but urgently.

  “I’ll cover it.”

  “We’re already here. Let us give you a ride,” Simon says with a smile, his eyes directed to Sadie. “We have a towing service we use at the hotel. I’ll have them tow it to whatever garage you like.”

  He’s not giving me his signature scowl, and he seems into Sadie. Maybe it’s safe to accept their help.

  “Come on,” he says as he begins to open the door. “You’re going to get hit in this car. You’re not pulled that far off the road.”

  “No, Vic, I can’t pay him,” Sadie whispers.

  “I will take care of it,” I say. Still feeling a hint of apprehension, I exit the vehicle. Simon follows me, and Kruse and Sadie walk around the driver’s side of the Silver Escalade.

  “Don’t move, Victoria.” Simon’s command and the sound of a pistol being drawn from a Kydex holster stop me. Still standing behind me, Simon lowers my purse off my shoulder and takes it. “Is your phone in here?”

  “Yes, but Simon, seriously?”

  “I know about your day job, and it’s time for my brother to hear all about it.”

  “He is going to flip if you follow through with this.”

  “I don’t believe that. Get inside. We’re taking a ride to the hotel.”

  The door opens, and the second Sadie’s eyes meet mine, she bursts into tears. Kruse is shutting her door as I climb inside. There is a man I’ve never seen before in the back row of seating, and he’s pointing a gun at us.

  He appears younger than Sadie even, and along with a straight face, he’s wearing a suit like Simon and Kruse. There is a long scar across his right jawline, and his light brown hair is unruly and too long.

  “What’s happening?” Sadie asks me.

  “Simon found out I’m a cop.”

  “But Adrian already—”

  “Hush,” I say, giving her a warning glance.

  “Stop crying,” Simon says after he climbs into the front passenger seat. This only makes Sadie more emotional, so I pull her against me.

  “Sadie, it’s fine. We’re going to go talk to Adrian, and it’ll all work out.”

  Simon makes a call and tells a towing service where to pick up the Ford Focus. “What garage is near you?” he asks, looking back at my sister.

  “I don’t know,” she says through a cry. He tells the person on the phone to take it to the closest repair shop. Ending the call, he turns in the seat and furrows his brow.

  “Stop with all the crying. We’re going to Submission to have a chat with Adrian.”

  Sadie sits straight up. “Oh, my god, you’re in the Mob, aren’t you? You’re going to kill us after and dump our bodies in Lake Mead.”

  Kruse and the guy behind us begin laughing, but Simon doesn’t find this funny. Sadie continues to sob. Her face is already flushed, and she’s stressing me out more than the guy with the gun.

  “I’m not in the damn Mob, and for the last time, stop with all the tears.” Simon flips down the visor and checks on me through the mirror.

  I believe a menacing person shows evilness for mostly one reason–fear. Fear of pain, betrayal, abandonment or death can lead a person to desperation.

  Desperation leads to bad behavior without regard for consequences. In Simon’s eyes, I see fear.

  Sadie

  I should stop bawling like Simon said since it’s only making him angrier, but the madder he gets, the more I can’t help but cry.

  The tall driver pointed a gun at me and took my purse, and there’s a creepier guy in the backseat still holding a gun. I’m terrified.

  “That’s it, Kruse, stop the Escalade.”

  Stop? Why are we stopping? I knew it. He’s going to kill us.

  Jumping out of the vehicle, it’s only seconds before he’s slinging my door open. He grabs my face and turns it toward him. The shock from what he’s doing stops my sobs, and now, I’m gasping for air.

  “Hey, princess, I’m not in the Mob. I’ve never killed anyone, and no one is going into Lake Mead.” His eyes are darting between mine, and he seems concerned over my mental state.

  “But this crying bullshit is making me reconsider my options. It’s stressing me the fuck out, so stop it.”

  I swallow a mouthful of spit and take in a deep breath. “Doll, I wouldn’t reso
rt to using guns if I could trust your sister. Blame her.”

  I have no clue why, but this makes me smile.

  “You’re really not going to hurt us?”

  “Uh, cooperate and I won’t.”

  “You know, Simon, if you’re a criminal, you really suck at it,” Victoria says. “I could’ve gotten my hands on a gun by now.”

  My eyes grow rounder, but Simon ignores her comment. He’s scanning all of my face before he brushes tears away from my cheek with his thumb. Our mouths are close, and he’s too attractive.

  “I hate it when women cry, and I really fucking hate it when I’m the reason, so please, no more tears.”

  “OK, but I have a test in the morning. Can we hurry this up?”

  He shakes his head, seeming dumbfounded by my remark. “Yeah, sure. Whatever you need.” He steps away from me, and I miss his touch. Has my daily life become that boring?

  Simon

  I wanted to kiss and coddle her.

  Coddle? What the fuck?

  I felt this need to make her feel all damn better. I’m getting soft. I need to fuck a chick and hit something soon.

  After climbing back into the Escalade, I slam the door hard. I see her jump in my peripheral vision, and even that makes me feel something.

  I like her. I liked her the second I saw her with her pretty face above a book at the hospital. Those nerdy glasses and messy hair somehow made her look sexy.

  Victoria is a cop. Victoria is a cop...

  I need to keep saying this to shut down my heart that is beating for something other than my own life.

  Kruse drives us to the parking garage at Submission and to our private parking. I take Victoria’s weapon and shove it in the back of my pants inside my black suit jacket.

  “Fuck, how the hell am I supposed to find your phones in these bags? Why do women have to carry so much shit?”

  “Real classy, Simon. Rooting through a woman’s purse.”

  “I know what you’re trying to do, Vicky, and it isn’t working. I have a good reason to be digging in here.” I finally find both of their phones, and after ensuring there are no other weapons, I hand them back their bags.