Lightning streaked through the sky as I sped out of the car park. So much for finding some pussy for the night. Instead, I’d be finding Tatum Lee.
10
Tatum
“I See Fire” by Ed Sheeran
I stumbled as I tried to avoid the cracks in the path as I walked the short distance between my front gate and my front door. I wasn’t sure if it was because of the heels I wore or the rum I’d consumed, but I leaned heavily towards the rum. Unfortunately when I decided to drown my feelings with alcohol, I did a bang up job of it. My feelings were successfully numbed for the night. The only problem with that was they would all return tomorrow. Missing my brother was something that would never go away.
As I pushed open my front door, a figure emerged from the shadows on my veranda and a deep voice I’d heard too many times that day, spoke into my ear, “You’ve been drinking, Vegas. Not the best move when people are after you. You’re lucky it’s me here tonight and not someone else.”
As I attempted to process what he said, he placed a hand on the small of my back and guided both of us inside.
Fuck.
He was right; I should have known better. I should have done everything to maintain my vigilance, but the painful memories had assaulted me and rum had been my only escape.
And now Nitro was inside my fucking house.
He directed me down my hallway to the kitchen before my mind finally kicked into gear. As it did, I forced my elbow back into his gut and picked up my pace to move ahead of him.
“Fuck,” he swore as I stepped out of his hold.
Turning to face him, I reached into my handbag for the pocketknife I kept there. Flicking it open, I held it between us defensively. “Don’t take another fucking step.”
Surprise flared in his eyes and he stopped moving. “Go fucking figure,” he murmured.
“Go figure what?” I snapped.
He watched me silently for a few moments before stepping forward. His damn reflexes were faster than mine and he swiftly took the knife from me. His hard eyes met mine. “You’ve got a thing for knives, Vegas?”
I slammed my hands against his chest. “Why the fuck do you keep calling me Vegas?”
A vein pulsed in his temple and he clenched his jaw. “Because you’re pretty on the outside but dark and dirty”—he pressed a finger to my chest—“in here.”
My breaths lay trapped in my throat as heat flamed my cheeks. I stared at him while self-loathing filled me. He had no idea how right he was. “Fuck you,” I spat, taking a step back, almost stumbling again.
With a clenched jaw and flared nostrils, he lunged forward, catching me around the waist. He then backed me up against the wall, pressing his body hard against mine. Our breaths came hard and fast as we glared at each other. “I recognise fucked-up when I see it, Tatum. It’s like looking in a fucking mirror.”
I wiggled my arms up between our bodies so I could try to force some space between us, even if it was only a tiny amount of distance. The pain this all caused was almost too much, but no way would I show him that. Instead, I focused on breathing through it, hoping it would subside quickly. “I am nothing like you.”
He nodded. “Yeah, you are. I’ve done my research.”
I swallowed hard, taking in what he’d said while trying to force my shame away. It didn’t matter how many times I told myself I’d moved past my self-disgust, it was a lie; it still consumed me.
When I didn’t speak, he continued, “I don’t know what drives a lawyer to forget which side of the law she’s on, but I’m guessing it was something she’s not proud of. And then, after her profession kicks her out, to go to work for the dirty criminals of this city, getting them out of shit any way she can, that says a fuck-of-a-lot about a person. So don’t tell me you’re not fucked-up because not only do I recognise it, I’ve read all about it, too.”
I pushed against him, but he was too heavy and strong for me, and didn’t budge. I wanted to scream at him and kick him and beat against his chest, but I knew it wouldn’t get me anywhere. Nitro had me trapped. In the end, I simply said, “What do you want?”
He kept me caged against the wall. “Silver Hell know you were in that room when I killed their man. They’re looking for you.”
Of course they were.
Fucking brilliant.
“So you’ve come to save me? Like a white fucking knight?”
Anger growled out of him. “That fucking attitude of yours will get you killed one day, but today is not that day. I’m only here because you mean something to Billy and at the moment he means something to Storm. The minute that changes, you’re on your fucking own.” He stepped away from me, but kept his hard eyes on mine. “Now, pack some shit, because you’re coming with me.”
He had to be kidding. “So you can tie me up again and chain me to your fucking bed?”
His boots thudded as he closed the distance between us again. Taking hold of my arm, he yanked me with him while he stalked into my bedroom. I did my best to ignore the pain his grip caused, but it was too intense and a cry fell from my mouth. He scowled at me, as if he wanted me to contain it. “Pack your bag or I’ll pack it for you.”
He left me then and I sat on my bed, desperate to gather my thoughts. The alcohol hindered my ability to think straight, as did the pain racking my body.
Fuck.
A knock on my front door caused my head to snap up. I groaned when I heard Duvall call out, “Tatum.” And when I heard Nitro’s boots cut a path to the door, I practically ran in that direction. The last thing I needed was Duvall going up against Nitro.
I arrived just in time to see Duvall’s eyes flare with distaste as he took in Nitro. “Who the hell are you?” he asked. He knew the kind of people I worked with, which meant he also understood the risk I took with my personal safety. I guessed he was concerned for me, and that was something I needed to alter if I had any hope of him leaving.
Staring at my friend, willing him to go, I said, “What’s up?”
Jerking his chin at Nitro, he said, “This is how you’re spending your nights now?”
“Careful,” Nitro warned in a deep voice. “The next words out of your mouth better not insult either her or me.” It surprised me that he’d even care about me being insulted, but I didn’t have time to dissect that.