Risking it All (Crossing the Line, #1)(36)

Without searching the rest of the car, Sera replaced the church program exactly as she’d found it, locked the car, and returned to the apartment. To Bowen.

Bowen drew on his cigarette as he watched Sera from across the street. She removed the rolled-up newspaper she’d used to prop his building door open and slipped back inside with the grace of an adorable cat burglar. When the door closed behind her, some of the tension lifted from his shoulders. Although he’d suspected she would sneak out at some point, watching her knowingly deceive him bothered him more than it should. A lot more.

He’d walked into this with his eyes open, knowing Sera would be playing a part. It shouldn’t be driving him out of his mind she hadn’t confided in him yet.

Why would she? They’d known each other for four days. Did he honestly think she would jeopardize all her hard work on the chance he turned out to be a decent man?

Hell, he wasn’t a decent man. He’d been treading water before, but she finally managed to drag him below the surface last night. Her mouth, her taste, her voice. All things he couldn’t be without anymore. Necessities. Even standing across the street from her felt like miles, instead of yards. If he had his way, if the world were perfect, she would have her arms twined around his neck every second of the day. Her mouth within kissing distance, curves fitted against his. It wouldn’t feel so right, so essential, to touch her if she didn’t feel anything on her end. Right?

Deciding enough time had passed since she walked into the building, Bowen crossed the street, but was brought up short when his cell phone vibrated in his pocket. He drew it out and stared at the screen. Manhattan number, but not one he recognized.

He answered anyway. “Yeah.”

“What the f*ck did you say to her?”

“Troy.” Bowen took a final pull of his cigarette and ground it out under his boot. “I’m surprised it took you this long to call me.”

Silence met him on the other end.

“Look, I told you to keep Ruby out of my neighborhood. If you can’t keep tabs on your girl that’s not my problem. She give you the slip again?”

“I knew she went,” Troy responded tightly. “I know every time she goes.”

He encountered a kick of surprise.

“You don’t care that it’s dangerous for her here? The girl who managed to put my father behind bars?”

“She’s never in danger. Don’t question my ability to protect her.” The pause that followed was full of frustration. “I do what I need to in order keep her. If that means letting her retain a piece of her old life, so be it.”

“I’m not that piece.”

“No, you’re not. And don’t worry. I think you finally managed to convince her. She’s walking around like a ghost.

I’d like to kick your ass for that.”

“Been there, done that, got the bloodstained T-shirt.” Bowen’s own anger rose to match Troy’s. Brought on by guilt, having his hands tied where Sera was concerned. It poured over his head like hot water. “Is this what cops do all day? Sit around and whine about your girlfriends and their mood swings?

As a taxpayer, I, for one, am appalled.”

“Fuck you, Driscol.”

“No, f*ck you. The longer Sera is out here, the more she’s in danger. Try focusing on that.” Bowen ran a rough hand

through

his

hair.

“They’re

suspicious. She’s good at what she does, but it’s not enough. Not here.”

“You can’t keep her safe?”

“No one. Is going. To touch her,”

Bowen whispered furiously. “As long as I’m breathing, nothing happens to her.”

“So it’s true. She’s staying with you.”

Bowen dropped his head forward on a disgusted laugh. He’d been played. The realization tasted bitter in his mouth.

“You could have just asked. You didn’t need to piss me off in order to find out what you needed to know.”

“Even

us

whiny

cops

need

entertainment.” Troy sighed wearily.

“You weren’t going to tell us. Why is that?”

“You’re the detective. Figure it out.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, a wave of self-loathing battered him, but it was too late to take them back. “Your only rule was she doesn’t find out I’m working with you. I haven’t broken it.

You didn’t say I couldn’t enjoy myself while I sell out.”

He could practically see Troy shaking his head. “Jesus, Bowen. I don’t know why, but I expected better from you.”

“Your mistake.” He felt a fierce sudden need to have eyes on Sera. To hold her and apologize for what he’d just implied. For blackening her good name by connecting it to his own.

“Listen, we agreed I would do this my way. The safest place she can be is with me. Are we done here?”

“For now.”

“Fucking swell.”

Bowen

hung

up

on

Troy’s

disappointment, refusing to examine why it actually bothered him. Since when did he give a shit what that * thought about him?