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“We need to find those kids and free those women.”

“You’d do that?” she asks, wonder in her voice.

“Absolutely. You don’t know anything about us, do you?” I ask.

“Not really.”

“We may look just as bad as the cartel, but I assure you, we’re not. We rescue people from the cartel and get them to safety.” I’m tempted to tell her about our underground railroad system but decide to hold back that information for now.

“Can you help them?” she asks. “Please!”

“We will do whatever we can, but we need to deal with one thing at a time.”

“The clubhouse first.”

“Then the women and their kids.”

“Oh, Ice.” She throws her arms around my neck and presses every curve of her luscious body against me.

I’m close enough to feel her breath mingle with mine. The scent of her, jasmine and something uniquely Bella, fills my senses. It’s impulsive, but hell, if life doesn’t teach you to seize these moments, what does?

“Bella,” I murmur, my hand finding its way to the curve of her jaw, guiding her face toward mine.

Time slows. The pulse of New Orleans fades into the background as my lips meet hers. The kiss is a spark in the darkness, a fleeting reprieve from the chaos of our lives. It speaks to the raw need we both share to feel alive even when death lurks around every corner.

We barely know each other, but I already want to learn everything about her. As I glide my tongue across hers, I hope one day I can get her to spill all her secrets. Not just the ones she knows about her family’s enterprise, but the ones she keeps private. Her hopes and dreams and desires. All her hidden mysteries.

The taste of her is both a blessing and a curse—I can’t get enough. Her lips are sweeter than praline and her soft moans of pleasure are more musical than the most intricate jazz melody. She’s perfection and all I want is more.

When she finally pulls back to take a breath, I sigh. The humid night air, stifling and unforgiving, rushes into the space between us. She steps back and gives me a soft smile.

“Stay safe,” she whispers.

“Wait! Give me your number. Even if you can’t dance at Velvet for a few days, I need to be able to contact you. I must know you’re safe.”

After we exchange numbers, I give her another kiss before letting her leave. I completely forgot Tank and Vicki were there. Now they’re gaping at me like I’ve grown two heads.

“What?” I demand.

“You fucked her, didn’t you?” Vicki asks, grinning.

“Go to the hotel, baby,” Tank says, saving me from responding. He slaps her ass. “Don’t drop the bike.”

“You’re letting her take your bike home?” My jaw drops.

“Yeah. Hope you don’t mind me riding bitch over to Vapor’s. Figure we’d save time if she takes my bike.”

“As long as you don’t grind your dick into my ass.” I smirk.

“You know you love it.”

“Fucker.” I slap Tank on the back.

“Bye baby,” Vicki calls before roaring off into the night.

“Damn, she can ride, hmm?” I scratch my chin.

“That’s not all she can ride.” Tank chuckles, then gets serious. “Vapor’s waiting.”