And would it be our storm or the city’s? Because we were just as volatile and just as deadly.
A tapping on our window had us both jumping.
She froze when she saw a police officer. “Fuck,” she swore, long and low, as she scrambled off me and started zipping up.
“It’s fine. He can’t see in,” I mumbled, readjusting my still wet dick and trying to shake the fog.
“Roll the window down, Rome! What are you doing?!” she screeched as she wiped at her lips.
I hit the button, and the cop leaned forward, his blue eyes piercing everything he could as quickly as he could. When his gaze found Katalina, I waited a beat to see if he’d find his footing, to see if he’d drop his stare.
I cleared my throat. “Sir, there a problem?”
He didn’t glance my way. “License and registration.”
Fine. We were playing it this way. I reached into the compartment and pulled it out. He’d know soon enough he was wading into water he didn’t want to be in.
“You know it’s a very dark alley you’re both idling in tonight, miss? Any extracurricular activity going on?” One eyebrow lifted as he waited for an answer from Katie.
Her slate eyes cut to him, and her jaw hardened at his insinuation. “Are you assuming something, officer?”
“Should I be?” He sucked on his front teeth.
“Do yourself a favor,” I said. “Check my license and registration.”
He eyed us back and forth. “Don’t think I will,” he mumbled, but the man did something stupid. He pulled his gun like it was protocol. “Step out of the car, miss.”
Katie’s eyes widened right before they narrowed. I saw the fear followed up by the determination.
That woman. She was a phenomenon. I couldn’t tell if she was scared for my life or her own, but her resolve hardened as she stared at the barrel of the gun.
“Officer,” I said quietly, “holster your weapon. Check my registration. I don’t want more blood spilled this week.”
My words held enough warning that he glared at me in question. “More blood? Are you drunk?”
“I’m tired. That’s about it. If you want to go this route, I’ll most likely be more tired from killing you, but I’ll do it. Don’t make me.” I sighed, really not wanting to beg the man for his own life. “Please.”
He took a step back, as if it finally occurred to him that this might not be a good idea. He stalked away, my license in hand.
“We need to go, Rome,” Katie whispered.
“What for?” I shrugged and leaned back on my headrest to shut my eyes for a second. This night was becoming more ridiculous every moment.
“I’m not fucking this dumbass cop because he thinks I’m a prostitute and wants to get his rocks off in a dark alley. If you think I’ll stoop to that level, then I—”
“Don’t ever repeat those words.” I got in her face quicker than I should have. She didn’t recoil at all though. Not like a victim of abuse, not like I’d seen others do. For some reason, Katie didn’t have a preservation instinct with me and it scared me a little to realize it.
“Well, why are we sitting here then? He’s going to shoot you or have me fuck him.”
“He’ll do neither.”
“You realize I’m a mixed woman in a dark alley dressed like a hooker, and a cop with a loaded gun is asking me to step out of the car, right?” The hitch in her voice had me searching past the stone of her eyes, looking for the hint of fear. “I’m not scared, Rome. I’m pissed. I shouldn’t have to be scared, nor should any woman. The imbalance in power is what makes this all so sickening. No woman should have to be nervous when she’s stopped by a cop in the middle of the night.”
“But most are?” As the words left my mouth, I realized how stupid they were. “Of course they are. Jesus.”
“So drive.” She pointed forward, night completely forgotten, and rightfully so.
Except Mr. Cop was back already. “Um, I’m so sorry, sir. So sorry to have wasted your time. I apologize.” The man pointed to Katie, but his eyes were downcast.