Hard to Fight (Alpha's Heart, #1)(69)

“Got a job as a construction worker.”

I blink. “Pardon?”

“A construction worker. I was doing that before I was arrested. Got friends, made a call, got a job.”

“You … build things for a living?”

“Yeah, lady.”

“And you got a job?”

He smirks at me. “Is that so shocking?”

“You just got out of prison.”

He shrugs and takes a long swig of his beer. “I have friends.”

“Apparently.”

“Got a place, too.”

I blink some more. “A place?”

“Are you going to ask a question to everything I say?”

I pout. “Who got you a place?”

“Mandy.”

My chest tightens. “Mandy?”

He grins, because he knows that makes me a little … jealous. “Yeah, Mandy. She has friends. Benny told her I was getting out and needed a place. She secured one before I was even out.”

Oh. Right. “Is there anything you can’t do, superman?”

He winks at me. “Nope.”

I roll my eyes. “And this place? Is it close to mine?”

His eyes twinkle and he leans forward, putting his elbows on the table. “Maybe.”

“Maybe?” I whisper.

“Maybe. You’ll have to wait and see.”

My lips twitch. “You’re proving to be very secretive, Mr. Knox.”

He reaches out, cupping my cheek. “I swear, you’ll know everything there is about me in no time at all.”

“Is that a promise?”

He grins. “Yeah, lady, it’s a promise.”

I think we’re going to be just fine.





Chapter Thirty-five

Three months later



“Seriously, Peter, running isn’t going to solve this.”

Peter, who is more hobbling than running, is trying to disappear down the side of some large buildings. He’s my seventh case since I’ve been back on the job, and as always, proving to be a challenge. I’m glad, though. I’ve missed this. I’ve missed the chase. I’ve missed the adrenaline. I’ve missed feeling strong and determined.

“I’ll shoot you, Peter,” I say, sighing as I pick up my pace to a jog.

Peter rounds the corner and when I skid around after him, he’s disappeared. I take a step and he leaps out from behind a massive bin. He tackles me to the floor and I land with a thump. Dammit, I washed my hair this morning. Now it’s in the freaking mud. I bring my knee up and drive it into whatever I can. Peter rolls off me with a grunt and I flip my body over onto his.

I whip my gun out and press it against his chest. “Now, we can do this the hard way or the easy way.”

“Get off me!” He squirms. “I didn’t do nothin’.”

“Peter,” I sigh, “you skipped bail.”

“Didn’t mean to, it was an accident.”

Well, that’s a new one. “And how exactly do you accidentally skip bail?”

“I didn’t do it, they’re tryin’ to lock me away for no reason.”

I raise my brows. “Is that so?”

“Yeah, didn’t do nothin’. Never even done drugs in my life.”

I snort. One look at him tells me that’s a lie. He’s scrawny, his eyes are bloodshot, he’s got track marks up his arms, and he’s got sunken cheekbones.

“You a fan of giving blood, then?”

He stares at me blankly and I nod to his arms. “Don’t know how those got there.”

I laugh loudly. This is why I love my job. “Up, Peter, I’m taking you in.”

“Didn’t do nothin!” he bellows.

I struggle to get him to his feet, but eventually manage. I cuff his hands behind his back and push him out to the car where Raide is sitting in the front seat, talking on the phone. He often comes along for the ride and waits while I bring them in. I think it’s his secret way of making sure I’m okay, even though he doesn’t interfere.

“Jesus,” he mutters when I throw Peter in the back. “He f*ckin’ stinks.”

“Who are you?” Peter cries.

“Shut up, and don’t touch anything.”

I laugh as I jump into the car. We take off and Raide keeps his eye on Peter, whose eyes are frantically darting from side to side.

“You even think about trying to get out, I’ll make sure I run over your legs before I get you back into the car,” Raide snaps.

“Raide,” I say, trying to fight a smile. “Don’t threaten the criminals.”

He snorts. “Criminal, my ass. This guy probably can’t even find his own dick.”

“I can!” Peter cries from the back. “You pig.”

I burst out laughing once more and Raide quickly joins me. We arrive at my work and I quickly discard Peter before joining Raide in the car again. Then we head over to my parents’ house. My dad adores Raide, he thinks he’s the shit and doesn’t hold back on letting Raide know. My mom is warming to him and even my sisters seem to be able to make decent conversation.

“How’s Kady?” Raide asks as we drive.