Page 22

AURORA

It’s quiet—far too quiet. It’s the type of silence that equates to loud minds, and in the darkness, I find it easier to let my guard down, to reach across the void between us.

Jackson lies rigid on his back, his arm shielding his eyes. I lie on my side, facing him, and run my fingers through his soft hair. The weight of his pain is palpable, and the compulsion to care for him, to ease his torment, is visceral, a primal urge etched into my very being.

“Can we start over?” he asks, his voice gravelly. “Can I show you, before the baby comes, that I’ll stay clean? I’ll keep away from Kyle. I’ll live with you in New York and won’t leave your side.”

If only life were that easy.

“That’s not realistic. You have hockey, and every time one of us travels, I’m going to worry you’re getting high and screwing around with someone else.”

He throws his arm back and hits the plush headboard.

“Stop fucking saying that. That isn’t who I am.

Besides, I’ve been suspended, pending league investigation.

” He rolls toward me, glides his hand up my neck and into my hair.

“ Please , Aurora. You are my best friend. I can’t see a future without you. Give me one more chance.”

His skin burns hot against mine, and I melt into his touch. What’s wrong with me? I should be running in the other direction, demanding he leave. He won’t, but, still…I shouldn’t want this.

“Are you keeping anything from me? If we were to start over, is there anything I’d find out?”

He hesitates, and my stomach sours.

“Maybe.”

“Jackson…” I say in warning.

With a reluctant sigh, he places his forehead on mine.

“That night, at Kyle’s party, when I saw you with another guy and threw a bottle at him, it wasn’t only because I was wasted and jealous.

It was because the men around Kyle are sick; they’re dangerous.

I was pissed—at Emily, at me, at fucking life.

I could’ve killed someone. I nearly did, and my reaction put you on Kyle’s radar.

He had something more to control me with…

” He shakes his head, as if clearing the memory of one of the most horrible nights of my existence.

“None of that matters. It’s his fucked-up society I refuse to be a part of, and I need you to understand it’s safer if you don’t know. ”

Ricky

My partner and I exchange a glance as we listen to Jackson’s confession.

“So you won’t tell me?” Aurora’s tone is heavy with disappointment, and it pulls on my heartstrings. We’re all lying to her.

“You don’t need to be tainted by this shit. Believe me, it’s not knowledge you want to live with.”

I can’t blame him there. I also wish she wasn’t a part of this. She’s too innocent, too na?ve.

Aurora and Jackson fall silent, and we remove our headphones.

“So he knows…which we figured. How could he not?” Charlie chews on his lip and stares out the windshield.

I nod in agreement. “But he’s not involved.”

Charlie’s gaze snaps to mine, and he raises a finger, indicating he’s about to spew a lesson.

“Oh, Jackson is involved, whether he wants to be or not. How is organized crime identified, tracked, and ultimately dismantled? The money trail. Not only is Kyle using Jackson’s fortune to bankroll his extravagant lifestyle, but he’s also likely money laundering.

A police commissioner’s salary alone isn’t enough to afford multiple properties, a yacht, a jet, and endless vacations—not when he failed to marry into wealth and politics.

Is it financed with corruption or his son’s assets?

” Excitement brightens his expression. “So Jackson can run to New York, but…”

“His father will never let him go,” I finish.

“Correct. Stick to Jackson like glue. Become his best friend.” He waggles his brows. “Or Aurora’s.”

“We’re already good friends.” Because she believes I’m her gay bodyguard. Wait until she finds out I’m very much not gay, have seen her naked, and I’m investigating her boyfriend—not precisely him, but close enough—she’ll never forgive me. “And Ethan is his.”

I rub my sore eyes and reflect on everything we heard tonight. Something doesn’t sit right. A knot of anxiety twists in my gut, and fragmented thoughts linger just out of reach.

“You think Kyle is actually worried about child support?” I ask.

He shrugs and presses his lips together. “It’s money he thinks he’s losing.”

“But to ruin his son’s entire career over a percentage of his paycheck? That seems extreme.”

“Jackson said Kyle wanted to maintain the trust by depicting him as mentally unstable.” He drums his fingers on the steering wheel. “Still, he could’ve done that without jeopardizing Jackson’s substantial income. He’s losing more money in the long run.”

“Exactly.” The puzzle pieces come together, and my exhaustion fades into eagerness. “A few things are clear—Kyle wants Aurora and the baby out of the picture, and he wants to retain control of the trust.”

Charlie gasps, and his eyes widen comically. “I bet if Jackson gets married or has a kid, he’ll gain access to his inheritance… Although Kyle’s primary focus seems to be the baby.”

“It won’t happen, but say Aurora goes to court for child support…”

My partner grins, and he rubs his palms together. “They’ll dig into Jackson’s financial records.”

“Bingo. Kyle risks losing his capital while also being exposed for mismanaging his son’s funds.”

“At the very least.” Charlie slaps the dashboard in victory. “Fuck yeah! What’d I tell you? The money trail!” He grabs his phone from the cup holder. “I’m on it.”

My gaze wanders to her bedroom. “The gas isn’t making her sick,” I voice my thoughts. “It’s either a cold from being out with Ethan or the pregnancy.”

“If it were possible to get someone pregnant twice, that big fucker could do it. Jesus, that man can fuuu— Ow!”

“Shut your trap and work.”

He massages his bicep, where I landed a solid punch. “What the hell was that for?”

I shoot him a piercing glare, not an ounce of fatigue in me after remembering their fuckfest. “This is an undercover mission, not porn.”

“It’s not pornography! We’re unable to see anything.

It’s ASMR, and you’re just jealous. Go get laid, you oversized bear.

Stop thinking with your dick. They should’ve put me on Aurora.

I, for one, don’t find her attractive. She’s needy and pouty.

” He puckers his bottom lip in mocking. “Great to look at, but damn, she can’t even walk the street without having a panic attack. ”

His tirade is so over-the-top, I burst into laughter. “Oversized bear? Really? Is that the best you could come up with? This is New York City. Any woman would be scared to walk the street. Plus, she’s sensitive to sound, something I’d expect you to empathize with.”

“Whatever.” He rolls his eyes and returns to his phone. “She plays on your hero complex, and you love it. You’d pick her up and carry her around like a fucking child if you could.”

“You need to stop listening while I’m in there.” I reach behind the seat, grab two waters, and hand him one. “Maybe it’s you who needs to get laid.”

“Anyhow,” he drawls. “Don’t let Daddy Dom move them to a new apartment—I’m tired of installing mics—and seriously,” he stares at me intently, “since protecting women and children is our job, that baby is Kyle’s biggest threat.

He doesn’t know it’s not Jackson’s, and he thinks it’ll cost him everything, maybe even a prison sentence.

It’s concerning he’d go to such lengths to keep anyone from his son’s trust and financial records. ”