“What kind of people?”
I look at Aries. “Not the illegal kind, but not the legal kind, either. People who skirt the edges of the law.”
Decker laughs. “So the people who control everything?”
“Pretty much,” Aries says. “But it’s good. We love working there. How’s the private investigator work going?”
“It’s going well. I’ve had to give up on finding Marko to get on top of a few cases this week,” he admits, taking Cara’s hand and kissing it. “And to spend some time with my woman.”
“Your woman appreciates it,” Cara replies, smiling up at him lovingly.
“I’m meeting up with CJ sometime this week,” I say. “I don’t know why he canceled tonight, but he said it was an emergency. So hopefully the rest of us can keep looking while you’re taking a break. I can’t believe this bastard has us all playing hide-and-fucking-seek.”
“I know,” Decker agrees. “That’s why I can’t let it go. I need to find his ass. I’ve followed every single lead, every person he knows and could trust, and I’ve come up with nothing.”
“I’ll speak to CJ and come up with a plan. We have to have something to go on.” I notice Natalie, zoning out of our conversation, her eyes on my lips. I really wish she’d stop looking at me like that, at least while we’re out here in public.
We all order our food and more drinks, and spend the evening just hanging out and enjoying each other’s company. Decker, Aries and I all fight for the bill, but I win by sneaking off to pay it, and then we all head home. Natalie is a little distant and quiet all night, but it could be because she and I are in an undefined space at the moment. I follow Natalie home to make sure she gets there safely, even if it’s just down the road, and jump out to say bye to her.
“I want you to come inside, but I also feel like it’s kind of a bad idea,” she comments, gaze dropping to my lips.
I cup her cheek. “Why is it a bad idea?”
She licks her lips. “It just is.”
I tuck her hair back behind her ear. “I think it’s the best fucking idea we’ve ever had.”
We start kissing, and this time we make it to her bed.
I make her come with my mouth, with my cock and with my fingers, and afterward I settle in next to her.
Cuddling.
I smile as I fall asleep.
Chapter Thirteen
Natalie
The next morning after Atlas leaves my apartment, I feel like absolute shit. I blocked out everything Marko last night and just let Atlas and his amazing mouth and perfect cock distract me from the situation that I should have been handling, instead of putting it off.
“I need to tell them all,” I mutter, groaning and rolling over in bed. I drag my naked body out of my sheets and into the shower, making a plan up in my head. I’ll call up Atlas first, and then Rhett.
I know Atlas is going to be pissed, because he was fucking here this morning with his mouth between my legs and I didn’t tell him.
I had every opportunity to.
I couldn’t have it on my conscience if I said nothing and then someone I love got hurt. I’d rather lose my job than let that happen. But maybe I won’t have to. I do feel guilty about it, though. My job means everything to me and I take it very seriously. This isn’t an easy decision to make.
I decide that the easiest solution is to call Con. She and I aren’t close, but I think if I’m strategic enough I could imply something and she’ll be able to tell Rhett.
I pick up my phone and notice I have a few texts from Cara and one from Decker, but decide I’ll deal with them later. I call Con and leave her a message when she doesn’t pick up, asking her to call me back. I get dressed for the day, and I’m having breakfast when a knock at the door brings me out of my thoughts, and also has me on alert. I’m not expecting anyone.
A quick glance through the peephole, and I see Atlas standing there.
I quickly open the door in relief. “Hey. Did you forget something?”
“You tell me.” His tone is solemn. He steps inside and closes the door behind him.