They both look early thirties, possibly late twenties. Just what I need—two hotshots who are trying to make a name for themselves. I should have delved deeper into their identities last night before accidentally falling asleep with Eve.
“Care to explain why a known drug dealer just spent half the night here?” the cockiest one asks.
Apparently these guys think they’re intimidating. But I’m curious as to how they knew who my company was.
“Care to answer why you’re harassing my warehouse like two stalker bitches?”
They both snicker quietly, acting as though this is their turf. They don’t have the home advantage, and they’d be wise to remember that. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve made feds disappear from Halo.
“I’m fairly sure this is just a friendly chat. It’s convenient that you didn’t answer until after Mark Harrison left.”
So they really did know who was here. Someone’s leaking information. But not from my crew. So who?
I glance at my watch, feigning boredom.
“I had company, and you weren’t invited. If Harrison is a known drug dealer, then why are you harassing me instead of him? Oh, that’s right. In order to actually do something to either of us, you’d need a warrant.”
Their laughter fades, but they keep their smirks in place.
“We don’t need a warrant to knock or to sit out on the street. And that’s where we’ll be, Caine. All day, all night—every time you look outside, we’ll be here. At your clubs, salons, spas… all of it. You’ll give us a reason for a warrant soon enough.”
Small arms slide around my waist, and I open my arm for Eve to step in and play the part Sledge just told her to.
“Hey, Drex. You ready?” she asks, sounding a little too sexy.
Both of the men stare at her, and I almost punch the one who bites down on his bottom lip.
“Sorry, boys,” I say insincerely. “I suppose you’ll have to harass me later. My girl and I have plans for the night.”
Eve leans into me, kissing my chest through my shirt, and I glance down to see her wearing a short pair of shorts and a shirt that hangs just off her shoulder again. Her hair is still slightly damp, and I’m pretty sure I’d love nothing more than to push her against the wall and fuck her until she screams right now.
I shut the door, and Eve takes a deep breath while moving back just barely. You’d think she just went on a stage in front of thousands of people with the way her hands are shaking.
“I think I was supposed to say more, but I froze,” she says so fucking honestly, and I can’t help but laugh.
“Yeah. Little bit. But it was good enough.”
She relaxes a little just as Sledge walks up, covering his smile with his hand. But then his seriousness sets in. “I think it’s time we deal with this. I’ll call Herrin and we’ll discuss getting our lawyers out here. We pay them good money for a reason. Shit’s getting real,” he says, and I curse silently.
“Go eat something,” I tell Eve, pulling her a little closer. “I’m apparently going to be a while.”
“I’m starving,” she says in a quick breath, and she almost races toward the kitchen. Damn girl is so eager to please that she didn’t even bother eating.
I laugh with Sledge, and can’t help but feel oddly at ease with her here. I’ve known the girl for two days, and yet she fits pretty damn well. But then I remind myself her father fit in well, too. He fit in quickly. He was so damn nervous that we felt sorry for the bastard and assumed he was a genuine guy.
The sobering reality has me putting my guard back up.
“Let’s get to work,” Sledge sighs.
“Hey,” I say, suddenly thinking of something. “What about that appointment with Cecil?”
I can’t believe no one woke me up for that.
“He’s out of town through the end of the month or possibly longer. Left this morning. Family stuff. You want me to set her up with someone else?”
Shit. “Nah. It’s not a pressing matter. I don’t want anyone else inking her.”
Maybe the feds will quit checking her out the second she’s marked by the Dealers.
Chapter 16
EVE
For a solid week, I’ve slept on the uncomfortable couch. I hate it. I’m grateful, but Drex’s bed is so soft and inviting. I should be thankful that he doesn’t expect me to sleep in there with him, but I’m not.
This place… It’s pretty damn scary. More men have been here this week. Lots and lots of tattooed, scruffy, terrifying, wild-eyed, and gravelly-spoken men.
I haven’t slept better than shit since the first night when I was kept safe in Drex’s arms. Every little sound wakes me up now, and shadows of the night look like figures coming to do things that will scar me for life.