Page 31

I practically run out of the house and to my car, ignoring my name being called by Ma and speeding the hell out of there.

I need a drink. Or ten.

I shouldn’t be here, I know I shouldn’t but I can’t help myself. I need a place to drink and I need to see her face and killing two birds with one stone had me coming here. I need to make sure she’s okay, so in my head it makes perfect sense.

I could see the look in the doorman’s eyes as I stepped through the door. I know they recognize me and I know that everyone will be on high alert but I don’t give a fuck. For all they know, I’m here to watch some girls dance and have a drink, they won’t suspect that I know Kitty, as long as I keep my cool that is.

I just want to down a shit ton of drinks and forget about it all, they won’t refuse my money.

I head to the far side of the room, sitting in a darkened booth and waiting for someone to come and take my order.

The flash of light purple hair soon appears at my table and her eyes widen when she sees who I am.

“What the—”

“Pretend you don’t know me,” I grind out. “They know I’m a cop, just pretend I’m a normal customer.”

She looks around, making it appear like she’s fixing something on her jeans and then turns back to me. “Are you trying to blow it?”

“I needed to see you.” I sound pathetic, but right now, I don’t care. I need her, just like I needed her all those other times.

“One drink and then you go, you hear me?”

I shake my head, a smirk lifting up the side of my face. “That depends.”

“On what?” she huffs, her hands landing on her hips.

“If you promise to come to mine tonight.”

I keep my eyes on hers, trying to make her see how much I need her. She tries to refuse but I see her face soften and then her hand goes limp by her side as she blows some hair out of her eyes. “I don’t know why I’m saying this.” She rolls her eyes then huffs, “Fine.”

She walks away, returning a few minutes later with a Jameson and then flits back to the bar.

I can feel eyes on me the whole time and when I turn, I come face to face with Jonny. He sits a few booths over, surrounded by men but is watching me intently.

I don’t move my eyes from his, he knows who I am and I know who he is, and there’s no way I’m backing down. But then something catches his attention and he spins around, making me turn as well so that I can see what he’s looking at.

My jaw clenches as I watch Kitty place drinks in front of them all. I hate that she’s doing this. There’s a thousand different ways they could have gotten closer to Jonny and none of them included putting her in danger like this, or this close to him. My muscles lock as I watch them talk and it’s all I can do to stay in the booth that I’m in as his arm comes around her waist.

That fucker is touching her again.

I look up, catching Kitty’s eyes and the slight shake of her head telling me not to do anything.

He pulls her down into the booth, his face going into her neck and all I want to do is rip his face clean off.

Kitty has been mine since she walked into that bar all those years ago. I knew it then and I know it now. The difference being that I’m finally admitting it to myself. It’s time that I grew a pair and finally told her. Especially now because I can feel her slipping through my fingers and I don’t want that.

I need her, more than I’ve needed anyone in my life.

I can feel Charlie’s eyes on me the whole time I’m sitting in Jonny’s booth and I just pray that he doesn’t come over. He could blow my whole cover within seconds and all the wo

rk I’ve put in will be for nothing.

I’m close to getting something on him, I can feel it.

“I’ve got to go out again tonight,” Jonny whispers into my ear. “Giovanni will take you home.”

“No, that’s okay,” I say, my eyes moving to Charlie’s as he stands up. “My friend’s picking me up.”