Love and Law Read online

  “What?” I snap into the phone, knowing that it’s CJ by the ringtone.

  “Boss? Oculus is pissed. Blaze has been fucking with him some more. When he goes to call his supplier, his phone is directed to a recording that says, ‘Blaze is the king of this town,’ or some shit. To say he is mad is an understatement. He’s fucking furious and has been flipping his shit. I watched him nearly choke the life out of that fucker you punched last week because he thought he was one of Blaze’s cohorts. He’s convinced someone on the inside is leaking information and coke to Blaze. It’s the only way that makes sense, considering Blaze is able to do all the shit he’s been able to do. Just get down here now and calm his ass down before he comes after me too.”

  I slam my fist down on the steering wheel, startling Maya in the process. Talking to Oculus about me leaving this damn business will only seem suspicious now. He isn’t the only pissed-off motherfucker right now. I’m so over this goddamned shit.

  “I’ll be there in five,” I grumble as I hang up and speed off toward Oculus’s place.

  I really ought to leave Maya at my house first, but with as weird as she’s acting, she might try and run off while I’m gone. We’re in need of a serious discussion and I’m not letting her out of my possession until we have that talk.

  Her attention perks up to the fact that we are no longer heading toward my house, but she doesn’t say anything until we’ve pulled up behind CJ’s car in the alleyway of my boss’s office. She’s never been here before, and I hate the fact that I have to bring her here in the first place. I put the car in park but leave it running.

  “Stay here,” I order in a growl.

  She’s already scrambling to open the car door, but I grab her arm.

  “Maya, stay here. Oculus is in a fucking pissed-off mood and is dangerous. Please just sit tight. I’ll be back in a bit.”

  When she narrows her eyes at me, I can see that it takes all of her willpower to keep her ass seated in this car. In a move that surprises us both, I lean in and softly peck her lips. I quickly pull away before I lose control and forget the task at hand.

  “I’ll be right back,” I grumble and jump out of the car.

  After a quick jog to the door, I let myself in and walk down the hallway to see Oculus’s idiot minion standing there with his arms crossed.

  “Go in. Have fun,” he says bitterly. I guess I might be bitter too if my boss tried to choke the life out of me and accused me of being a traitor.

  Without a word in response to his stupid ass, I push open the door and barge in. CJ sits in a chair across from his desk looking pretty awkward. Oculus’s glare softens when he sees me.

  “Pac, so glad you could grace us with your presence. What the fuck have you been up to lately? You’re my main man and I hardly see you.”

  I know he isn’t wanting some weak excuse or any lies, so I just tell him, “I’m here now.”

  “I’m going to kill that asshole,” he assures me coolly as he clasps his hands together. I can tell that he’s trying desperately to remain calm and hanging on by a very small thread.

  “We’ll catch him. I’ve already been sniffing around. He’ll fuck up when he thinks nobody will be watching. But I’ll be watching. This will end soon.”

  He nods and his shoulders relax a bit. If anyone can calm down his ass, I can. He’s about to say something else to me when we hear a scuffle outside of the door. CJ rises from his chair and yanks his gun from his pants. When a wild-eyed Maya flies in the room, my heart ceases to beat.

  “The fucking troublemaker,” CJ mumbles in annoyance.

  I bristle with anger but my need to protect her from Oculus overshadows that.

  “I told you to wait in the car,” I snap.

  “I can help,” she says quickly, her eyes never leaving mine. She’s silently urging me to let her speak. Fucking unreal.

  “Pac, who is this?” Oculus demands from behind his desk.

  Maya and I drag our attention to him. She gasps from beside me. When I sneak a glance back at her, she looks like she’s seen a ghost. Gone is the determined woman. That woman is replaced by a shaking, nervous one. Oculus is intimidating, but Maya isn’t afraid of anyone, so her sudden change in behavior unnerves me.

  “This is Braids,” I grumble, deliberately not telling him her name. “She’s a dealer. The one I told you about that was selling her shit before anyone else. She’s cool.”

  Oculus looks her up and down with interest, maybe even amusement. I have a strong desire to put myself between his curious stares and my girl. She may be a walking puzzle, but she’s mine and I will die to protect her from people like him.

  He smirks and drags his attention back to me. “I bet she is ‘cool,’” he laughs knowingly.

  Shit. He knows we’re together. This is why this man is good at what he does. He can see the forest through the motherfucking trees.

  “Braids?” he asks sarcastically. “You don’t even have braids in your hair. That’s a fucking stupid nickname.”

  She snaps out of her weird trance and gulps before meeting his stare. “Yes,” she whispers. What the fuck is going on with her? Where’s my confident, ass-kicking Maya?

  “How do you think a little girl like yourself can help?” he taunts.

  CJ chuckles until I pin him with a hateful glare. His laugh dies in his throat and he has the decency to look away. I bring my attention back to her.

  Maya lifts her chin in an effort to appear fearless. I want to drag her out of here—away from these snakes. In this moment, I know that, given the opportunity, I’m fucking out of this business. I need to be for her sake.

  “This little girl kicked that big boy’s ass outside that door.” There she is—my little firecracker.

  Oculus is momentarily shocked by her attitude but quickly masks it away. It’s hard to rattle him, but she already has. He’s not impressed.

  “Get the fuck to the point or get out of my office,” he snarls.

  My skin buzzes with electricity. I’m ready to choke down CJ or Oculus if they even think about touching her.

  “One of his men came to me today. They want to meet up—to come to an agreement. Blaze thinks you two can come to an understanding,” she rushes out.

  I’m momentarily stunned by her words. That fucking guy in the bathroom. This can’t be happening.

  “Braids, why am I just finding this out now?” I hiss at her.

  She flicks her gaze in my direction, shooting me an apologetic look. This just keeps getting better and better.

  “What sort of fucking agreement would I want with his ass?” Oculus demands, forcing our attention back to him.

  “Uh, he said that he wants two kilos at half price,” she answers quickly.

  She’s fucking lying. What is going on in that head of hers?

  “Are you fucking kidding me?” Oculus screams at her. He’s risen from his chair and starts to come around his desk. My muscles tense as he nears Maya.

  All traces of fear dissipate as she squares her shoulders and defiantly looks him in the eye. “No. Serious as a fucking heart attack. He says he’ll back off and leave you the hell alone if you comply. Aren’t you ready to take control of your territory once again?” she taunts.

  He stalks up to her and glares down at her. “You’re a mouthy bitch, aren’t you?”

  “I told you I could help. If you don’t want my help, then figure this shit out yourself. I don’t give a fuck.”

  His bicep twitches, and I swear to God, if he hits her like he wants to, I’ll murder him right here in this office. The tension in this room is so thick you can cut it. I want her out of this office as soon as possible.

  “And how do I know you aren’t the fucking mole setting us up?” he growls.

  She doesn’t even flinch this time and looks ready to throw her own punches now. I’m not sure why she’s so hostile toward him, but it makes me nervous as fuck for her.

  “Because—I love him,” she declares, pointing at me.
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  My heart fucking sinks to the floor. Baby girl, the one thing I didn’t want him to know—you fucking delivered right to his doorstep.

  Oculus snaps his head over to me and his scowl quickly turns into a smirk. “Ahhh, so much makes sense now. The way you look ready to snap my neck if I touch her. And the way she looks at you like she wants to suck your cock. True love,” he laughs without humor.

  My eyes find hers and I just shake my head. Tears spill down her cheeks and she looks guiltily away from me.

  “Okay, little girl. You’ve got my attention. Tell them we’ll meet at our other office. Just Blaze, nobody else. I’m not dealing with his shit army. I want small bills. All of it,” he instructs. “But I want you there. Just in case this is some fucked-up plan to ruin me.”

  “Is this fucking necessary?” I cry out, throwing my hands in the air.

  He’s pissed me off now. There’s no way I want my girl right in the middle of the fucking firing squad. I have no doubt this ‘meeting’ will end badly and I don’t want her anywhere near it.

  Oculus storms over to me and gets right in my face. Our noses nearly touch as we stare down each other, each one not backing away.

  “Yes, son, it is necessary. I don’t trust this bitch as far as I can throw her. And now, with your sudden insubordination, I question it even more. So, yes, it is necessary. If you want to continue to be a loyal part of this company, then I suggest you get your face out of her pussy and back where it belongs—here beside me.”

  My jaw clicks as I grind my teeth together. It takes everything in me not to punch this motherfucker in the jaw—the man I once looked up to. Right now, he can go to hell.

  “If she goes, I go. And I’m packin’,” I growl.

  A Cheshire cat grin spreads across his face, revealing several gold teeth. “So the good boy who doesn’t kill suddenly wants a gun? Well, fuck me sideways, this is true love.”

  We silently stand off for several seconds before he retreats and heads back to his desk.

  “We’re done here. I want a time that will happen tomorrow by the end of the night. Text me, Pac.”

  Maya steals a glance in my direction and I slightly nod my head to the door. Understanding, she quickly heads to it.

  “Don’t fuck me over, little girl. You’ll regret it. Don’t make me paint the fucking walls behind you with your blood,” he threatens.

  I’m about to jump over that desk and choke the life out of him when I get a nudge from CJ, snapping me from my hate-filled intentions. I don’t give Oculus another word as I tear out of the office behind Maya. She’s already running down the hallway toward the doors to the exit. The stupid idiot she ‘beat up’ is sitting on the floor, moaning. My girl did a number on his mouthy ass.

  “Baby girl, wait!” I call out right before she bolts out the door.

  Ignoring me, she takes off in a full-on sprint down the alleyway. By the time I make it outside, I see her reach the end of the building and turn the corner. Fuck!

  I hop in my car and back it up in the alley as fast as I can go without losing control and slamming it into a wall. Once I make it to the street, I see her hoofing it along. Turning my car in that direction, I gas it until I catch up with her quick little ass.

  When I reach her, I roll down my window and holler out at her. “Get in the car.”

  She continues running while I drive at her speed.

  “Dammit, woman! Get in the fucking car or I’ll drag you into it. We need to talk.”

  Her running slows until she comes to a complete stop. I see her shoulders slump forward, and she buries her face into her hands. Quickly, I throw the car into park and jump out. After jogging over to her, I approach slowly when I realize she’s crying so hard that she’s practically hyperventilating.

  “Maya,” I say softly, wrapping my arms around her convulsing body.

  “Ben, I’m so sorry. I messed up,” she tearfully tries to explain herself.

  Rubbing her back, I attempt to figure out a way to get us out of this mess. “We’ll go into hiding. I’ve got my woodworking business. It’ll keep us afloat. You’re not going into that lion’s den, baby girl.”

  She continues to cry but pulls her hands from her face and slips them around my body. “Ben, I’m a liar. You should hate me, but I don’t want you to. I’m so confused,” she says cryptically.

  “I don’t hate you. I could never hate you. Come on. I’m taking you home.”

  When she doesn’t argue, I guide her over to the car and help her in. Once she’s tucked safe inside, I jog back over to my side and get in. After I put the car in drive and take off, I grab ahold of her small hand and give it a squeeze.

  I have so many questions for her, but right now, I just want her lying beside me while I stroke her hair. Was what she said in that office about loving me true? Why didn’t she tell me about talking to Blaze’s lackey? Why in the hell didn’t she just stay in the damn car? There are just so many fucking questions, but first, she needs comfort and I intend on providing that for her.

  “We’re going to figure this out,” I promise, tightening my grip on her hand.

  My heart breaks when she turns her tear-stained eyes toward me. “I don’t think we can.”

  I’VE ROYALLY FUCKED THINGS UP. Not with my job—my duty toward our community. No, I’ve fucked things up with Ben—the man who pumps blood into my heart. I’m sick about it and he has no fucking clue that I’m a master of deception.

  “Why don’t you run upstairs and take a shower? I’ll run interference with Grammy,” he suggests as we walk up the porch steps.

  I nod as we go inside and I hightail it upstairs.

  After quickly undressing once in the bathroom, I step into the steamy shower and attempt to wash away the day.

  Oculus. I remember the eye patch. My father’s killer wore an eye patch. It wasn’t until I saw that man tonight, that I realized Oculus was my father’s killer. For seventeen years, I imagined many different ways of taking that man’s life. Each scenario involved me going in guns blazing in true Maya fashion. Every single instance, that man’s blood was on my palms and I got my vengeance. The reality of it all was that, when I finally saw the evil man who ruined my life, I froze—panicked.

  Disappointment in myself ripples through my veins and I’m nearly distraught over the entire ordeal. He intimidated me and cut me to my core. Bottom line is that Oculus scares the shit out of me. Sure, I still want to kill him, but I don’t know how I’ll have the courage. Just the sight of his eye patch had me choking on my words. How in the hell am I going to be brave enough to kill that fucker?

  And killing him is the only option—no matter the consequence. Prison is a country club escape for that evil asshole. Death is definitely the answer. I just need to figure out a way to get my internal strength up to finish the damn job.

  When I emerge from the shower in just a towel, I hear laughing from downstairs. Once I run over to the bedside, I yank up the phone and dial Miguel.

  “It’s done,” I tell him when he answers.

  “Where?”

  I rattle off the address and tell him nine o’clock in the morning. “Things could get bad,” I warn.

  I want to tell my best friend that I’ve found my father’s murderer, but I know what will happen. He’ll turn into a hero and have me pulled from the case. Miguel would know just as well as I do that this just became a conflict of interest. I’m not letting them ruin this for me.

  “Maya, I’ve got your back.”

  I thank him and hang up just as I hear Ben bounding up the stairs. Turning toward the door, I try not to look guilty and then stand to greet him. “Oh, hi,” I wave.

  He narrows his gaze at me before his eyes peruse my towel-clad body. “Were you on the phone?”

  I nod because nothing gets past this man. “I talked to Blaze’s contact. The meeting is at ten tomorrow morning.”

  After pulling his phone from his pocket, he texts Oculus the time. Then he sets it down on the nightstan
d and kneels in front of me. When he places a large hand on my bare, still-wet thigh, I gasp. All it takes is a touch from him and my thoughts are already getting muddled. He surprises me though and bends all the way down to look under the bed. His hand might as well be on fire because his touch is burning me, sending electric currents of need straight to my core.

  He drags a small safe out from underneath the bed, piquing my curiosity. Removing his hand from my thigh after a slight squeeze, he opens the safe, revealing two handguns. I’m shocked when he hands me one.

  “You’re taking this tomorrow. I’ll take this one. If things get out of hand, you need a way to protect yourself. Do you know how to use a gun?” he asks gently.

  Once again, shame courses through my veins. Of course I know how to use a gun. I’m a fucking hard-ass detective with the Detroit PD, but he doesn’t know that.

  “Yes. I’m familiar and have good aim,” I tell him truthfully.

  He grins at me with such pride that I suddenly feel sick. I feel sick that I must deceive him. He sets down his gun on the nightstand beside his phone. His eyes are trying to peel away layers of my soul as he attempts to search for the real me. I hate that I have to hide that from him. He takes the gun from my hand and puts it on the table.

  Still kneeling, he dips his head down and kisses my thigh. Goose bumps scatter over my flesh. I promised myself and Miguel that I would end this. But as his hands now massage me above my knees while he tastes my flesh just where the towel ends, I lose myself in the moment. His hands push my knees apart and I gasp. The towel slides up and reveals my nakedness underneath.

  I whimper when his hands trail their way up under my towel and caress my hips while his tongue teases me, inching up little by little. Hot breath tickles me between my legs and I fall backwards onto the bed, anticipating what’s to come. He groans in desire right before that expert tongue drags along the lips of my pussy.

  “Ben,” I moan. My towel has fallen away, and I touch my nipples, giving them a little pinch.

  His tongue strokes me again and I nearly buck off the bed. The slow, lazy way he does it drives me slightly insane, but I love it.