Page 51 of Wild Card (Men of Action #4)

I cautiously walk to him, squealing when he hauls me the rest of the way.

“What are you doing here?” I stupidly ask, bracing on his shoulders.

“Stopping you all from fucking up our chance of arresting your bitch-ass sister.”

“Arresting? You know what she’s doing?”

His gaze slices to the side on a deep exhale. “You think we’re amateurs?”

“Well, no, but…”I quit talking, not willing to piss him off more.

His eyes lock with mine, the blue-green shade of his irises softening until they glint.

His lip curls to one side. “Fucking pissed as hell you put yourself out here. Watched you pull up and forced myself to watch this play out. Now, seeing you in this sexy as hell get-up, I’m thinking of new ways of punishment. ”

A thrill runs up my spine at the blaze staring back at me. “I was thinking the same thing.”

“Oh, I see someone I know. Roberto Hayes.” Shayla emphasizes the name in her perfect French accent.

“Who’s Roberto Hayes?” Rylee’s voice drips with zeal. “Oh my God, is it the dark-headed hottie? You have to introduce me.”

Ember’s face goes red as she clinches her phone. “Robbie’s here? He’s supposed to be at home with our kids!”

“End the call, Ember,” Talon instructs firmly.

She scowls, punching the button and sliding the phone into her back pocket. “He’s in trouble.”

“You girls get back to the truck. We’re taking it from here.”

I unsuccessfully try to squirm out of Talon’s hold.

“Except you, Princess. You wanted to be a badass, you’ll get a front-row seat.”

The thought of facing Rylee makes my blood run cold.

It has nothing to do with confronting her. I don’t want her anywhere near Talon.

My expression gives me away. His eyes go hard as he mistakes my thoughts. “You have to be fucking kidding me.”

“She’s a bare-faced leach with no morals. I don’t want to go to jail for assault when she openly ogles you.”

“Only one person getting arrested. But I can’t promise you won’t end the night in handcuffs.”

Electric desire races through my veins and I lower my lips to his.

“Lovebirds, we need to get into place,” Ace interrupts, passing us to the large black SUV and clicking off the lights.

Talon carries me to the back of the vehicle, positioning us where we can see Rylee’s car. Shayla and Rylee approach with Robbie casually strolling behind them.

His gait may be easy, but there is no doubt he’s in charge.

They stop at the trunk where he instructs her to open it.

Rylee refuses, threatening to call the police.

Right then, Ace, Major, and Ford materialize beside Robbie. It’s the first time I notice, except for Robbie, they’re all dressed alike.

They exchange a few more words, and by the looks of it, she continues to throw attitude. Her finger goes to Ace’s face. She leans up closer, her complexion heating to a deep red with fire blazing in her eyes as she spouts something about her rights and him trapping her.

She recognizes him from their encounter at the salon.

He stares down his nose at her, his dark pupils piercing into her with disgust so thick, it fills the distance.

Shayla stands by, upholding her role but watching her cousin’s husband with caution.

Finally, after a minute of his scary silence, Rylee opens the trunk.

“Your call. You want to confront her, now’s the time,” Talon gently prods.

I think about the past year and how much damage her deceit did to my self-confidence. The way our once close-knit family is now in tatters. I slunk into a shell of a person, pushing myself for the better but not really living.

My mind cuts to the present and the amazing turnaround.

The last time I saw Rylee, I was in a heap on the floor of Rendezvous, her screaming awful things. Even after being charged with disturbance, she thought she got the best of me.

Confrontation has never been an interest, but tonight is different.

“I want to talk to her.”

Talon links our hands, leading me into the open. As I suspected, she zones in on Talon first, not noticing the woman beside him. When she absently casts her gaze my way, the blood drains from her face.

“What the fuck are you doing here?”

“Willow, these yours?” Robbie motions to the bags.

I pretend to inspect every single one, drawing out my answer, then face her. “Yes, these are the bags stolen.”

Shayla shrieks dramatically, clutching at her pearls. “You tried to sell me hot Gucci! How dare you?”

“Ma’am, you may want to head out. You won’t be buying a purse tonight,” Robbie suggests, barely hiding his amusement.

“Yes, sir, I can’t believe I almost bought from a… a… thief.” She hustles away, staying in character until she’s in her car.

“That’s my necklace, too.”

Rylee’s hand goes to her neck, twisting the diamond pendant. There’s no way I‘ll wear it again, but she certainly isn’t keeping it.

“You set me up,” she seethes.

“Hardly. This was all a waiting game once we knew you broke into my house. It wasn’t a stretch you’d be stupid enough to sell my things after the mess you got yourself into.”

“I didn’t break in. Grandma and Grandpa gave me a key.”

“True, but they have my name on the lease as a renter. You entered my residence without my permission, which is against the law.”

A little white lie never hurt anyone, but it does get the intended effect when the crimson hue returns to her cheeks, this time with a lethal rage. She’s backed into a corner.

“You bitch.”

Talon’s body goes solid, and I run my thumb along his to let him know it’s okay.

“Your insults don’t affect me, Rylee. And honestly, the handbags and jewelry weren’t that big a loss. But you hurt Wolf.”

“So what if your ratty ass dog shit all over your room.”

Fire sparks in my gut at the slur toward Wolf. “You poisoned him.”

“Bet you can’t prove that.”

“Wouldn’t take that bet,” Robbie counters acidly. “I’m an investigator, you think I don’t have my shit together?”

She’s smart enough to keep her death glare aimed at me.

“Now I have animal cruelty and animal endangerment to add to breaking and entering, theft, and destruction. You’ve been caught red-handed with the stolen merchandise. The charges are adding up. Somehow, I don’t think paying a fine and community service will get you off the hook.”

There’s no telling if any of this is legally true, but the men don’t interrupt me, letting me pour it on thick.

“What I want to know is why?”

“You took advantage of Joseph. You ignored his accomplishments and put your needs above his. He deserved better.”

Her words bounce off me and I roll my eyes so hard, I get lightheaded.

“Oh my God, I don’t care about Joey. He and I broke up for a reason.

We weren’t long-term material. He’s not worth my breath.

It sucks he was sleeping with you, but whatevs.

” I wave dismissively, using one of Wyatt’s new favorite words, then curl into Talon, placing my free hand on his rock-hard stomach.

“I want to know why you hurt me and Wolf.”

Rylee gulps, realization dawning on her. She’s caught. No way to weasel her way out of this. “I’m not saying anything else.”

“Suit yourself.” I shrug indifferently, peering up at Talon. “Am I done here?”

His lips twitch, pride and approval swirling in his hypnotizing gaze. “Yeah, Princess, you’re done. Let’s go home.”

Ford reads Rylee her rights while Ace makes a call. Before Talon steers me away, I glimpse over once more.

She’s not fighting the arrest, mouthing off, or demanding a lawyer. Instead, her eyes are locked on me.

They aren’t blazing with righteousness and hatred.

They’re brimming with tears, loaded with regret and dejection.

Sympathy stirs in my chest.

Talon gently tips my chin back to him, easily reading my sympathy. His thumb skims my jawline. “I love your kind heart, baby, but she doesn’t deserve it.”

He’s right.

All sympathy dissolves because, no matter what, I have Talon.

The room quiets at the tapping of the glass, all attention swinging to my dad, who’s standing at the head of our table.

My face flushes before he even speaks, knowing I’m about to be the center of attention, again.

When Chase graduated, my parents threw an extravagant celebration. Dad’s associates, Chase’s medical school colleagues, family, friends, and neighbors, everyone came to commend my brother on top honors and his success.

He relished in the attention, the ultimate professional at schmoozing and remaining humble.

I was beyond proud, but that was his personality.

Not me. I begged to go low-key when my time came.

I repeated the sentiment a few months ago, especially with my family going up in smoke last year.

Talon had already planned a night at Tom’s after a small family luncheon. That was enough for me.

I extended an invitation to my mom for the luncheon. Being her first time around my grandparents since the separation was sure to be stressful. And with Rylee’s arrest and confession, an intimate luncheon seemed like the best option.

Apparently, Talon, Dad, and Chase didn’t agree.

The men in my life took matters into their own hands.

Which is why, when Talon and I walked into the back room of my favorite Italian restaurant this afternoon, I almost passed out.

It may not be as large as Chase’s party, but everyone in my life is here.

This was shocking enough, but seeing April and Mark standing in the front of the crowd, I burst into tears.

To my horror, the room erupted in cheers and Talon cradled me to him, laughing.

Laughing!

After composing myself, I was immersed in hugs and well wishes. I learned Bex and Rowan were in charge of the guest list, and April insisted on working with the restaurant on decorations.

The amount of love in the room almost made up for the fact I was going to kill my best friend and boyfriend.

Almost.

Talon tops off my champagne, draping his arm around my shoulder as Dad lifts his glass.