6. Justice For All - Неизвестный

“Want a beer, Phil?”

“Yeah,” Phil said, only taking his eyes off Irina’s face long enough to stare at the breasts molded by her tight red top. “That’d be great.

Thanks.”

By the time Mitch got back from his second drink run, the other Kings had arrived and were clustered around Irina at the table. She seemed to be enjoying the attention. He shuffled bottles around the table and reclaimed his seat. Jasmine was onstage, partway through her first number. Unlike many female impersonators, she didn’t lip-synch when performing. Her voice was sultry and rich, and as naturally feminine as the rest of her. Most of the men in the audience were riveted by her, their collective lust palpable. Mitch wondered how they dealt with the knowledge that this beautiful woman was also a man, but maybe that was part of the attraction.

Irina leaned close. “She is good.”

“Yeah,” Mitch agreed.

“She is not your girlfriend?”

“No way.” Laughing a little, Mitch kissed her neck. “You are, remember?”

• 160 •

Justice for All

“Hey, Mitch,” Ken called. “Give the rest of us a break, huh? We’re all out here in the cold.”

“We’re going to Ziggie’s later,” Phil said to Irina. “The night would be perfect if you would come with us.”

Irina smiled lazily at him while rubbing slow circles on Mitch’s stomach. “Mitch and I have plans for later.” At Phil’s crestfallen expression, she laughed softly. “But maybe for a little while. If Mitch wants.”

Phil cut his eyes to Mitch. “What do you say, buddy?”

What Mitch wanted to say was that Phil needed to get stuck on some other woman, because Irina was off-limits, for real. He didn’t want to see Phil get hurt. But he had a part to play, that of a good-time guy who didn’t mind sharing the wealth with his friends. Plus, he and Irina were headed to Ziggie’s, and going with the Kings just helped his cover. “Sure.”

“Good,” Irina said, standing. “I am going to freshen up. I will be back in a minute, Mitch.”

As soon as she was out of earshot Phil pulled his chair close to Mitch. “So just how serious are you about her?”

“What do you think?” Mitch said, trying to work out an answer.

“I think you’ve already got a hot girlfriend who’s going to fry your ass if she finds out you’re fooling around.” Phil grinned, although his eyes were unsmiling. “So I think you should let me take care of this one.”“I told you, I’m not married.” Mitch took another sip of his first beer. “And the thing with Irina is intense, you know? For right now.”

Phil regarded him fixedly for a few seconds, then nodded. “Okay.

If things change, let me know.”

By the time Irina returned, Jasmine was on her last number. The Kings regaled Irina with stories of shows they had done, flirting and posturing for her. She was a natural-born actress, indulging them with smiles and laughter and carrying on as if she and Mitch were really on a date and this was just a fun night out.

A short while later, Jasmine joined them, having changed into a clingy sweater, tight black slacks, and heels. She settled into Phil’s lap, crossing her legs and demanding breathily, “So where’s the party?”

“We are all going to Ziggie’s.” Irina’s fingers were curled around Mitch’s thigh, but her eyes were on Phil. “Yes?”

• 161 •

RADclY fFe

“Yes,” all of the Kings, including Mitch, responded enthusiastically.

Jasmine raised a sculpted brow at Mitch. “Oh, goodie.”

v

Mitch checked the road in his rearview mirror as he headed up Broad Street toward Ziggie’s. Irina hugged him tightly from behind, warming herself against his back, but he was still glad he’d stopped earlier to get her a hip-length leather coat. He could see his breath in the dark night air. Jasmine was with Phil and the guys in a car a few blocks ahead. If the lieutenant was behind him, he couldn’t see her.

After he pulled into the mouth of the alley and cut his engine, he pulled off his helmet and swiveled on the seat to face Irina. “If anyone in there wants you to leave with them, try to put them off. If that doesn’t work, say you’re not going anywhere without me. Say you’re scared because of what happened at the house. Tell them I took care of you, protected you. You feel safe with me along.”

“These men. They are much stronger than you,” Irina said, her hands now resting lightly on the outside of his hips. “You cannot fight them if they force me to go with them.”

Mitch shook his head. “I’m not letting them take you. Don’t worry about that.”

“You could let me go. You could say you couldn’t stop them.”

“They’re not going to let you find your sister,” Mitch said. He believed that to be true, but it didn’t make him feel any better about preying on her fears. Manipulating her. “We can help you find her. But you have to help us.”

She didn’t say anything for a long moment, her eyes probing into his. “They will not be so easy to convince as your friends that we are together.”

“Whatever it takes.”

Irina reached between his legs and squeezed his cock, pressing it into the apex of his thighs. “And if they want proof?”

Mitch laughed hoarsely. “Like what? Unlike flesh-and-blood cocks, mine doesn’t shoot—so what exactly would they see?”

“You would fuck me if they say?”

• 162 •

Justice for All

“Jesus.” Mitch slid his fingers between his cock and Irina’s hand, and clasped her fingers gently. “I’m not going to let them force me to treat you like that. I’ll convince them some other way. Don’t worry.”

“I am not the one to worry.” Irina stroked his face. “It is you they will hurt.”

v

“What the hell were you doing out there, spawning?” Jasmine hissed when Mitch slid into the booth with her and the Kings. An assortment of beers and a vodka on ice sat in the middle of the table already. “Where’s Irina?”

“She went to talk to the bartender.”

“And you let her? What if she slips out the back?”

“She won’t.” At Jasmine’s frown, Mitch said impatiently, “I can see her from here. Besides, if she wanted to ditch me she could have done it anytime today.” He lowered his voice. “What about the backup?”

“I called Frye from my dressing room at the club. They should’ve picked you up on your way here.”

“Okay.” Mitch felt a little steadier knowing that the lieutenant and Watts were outside. Working undercover was lonely and scary, even though it was a rush, too. He glanced past Jasmine and saw Phil craning his neck, watching Irina. He hoped Phil believed him that Irina and he were an item, and that he would keep his word to stay away from her. He especially hoped he was becoming more adept at lying. Sandy always said he sucked at it.

“Uh-oh,” Jasmine whispered. “She’s heading toward the back.”

Mitch pushed out of the booth. “There’s a rear door. If I’m not back in fifteen minutes, check the alley for my bike. If it’s still there but we’re not, it will probably mean we had to go somewhere to keep our cover. Hopefully the lieutenant will pick us up.”

“Just don’t let them take Irina.”

“I’m not planning on it.” Mitch hurried after Irina, knowing events didn’t always turn out as planned.

v

• 163 •

RADclY fFe

“Hey! What’s going on?” Mitch demanded when he discovered Irina with her back against the wall, pinned by a hulking guy with fair hair cut so close to his head he appeared at first glance to be bald. His arm muscles bunched beneath a tight white T-shirt, and his tree trunk–

sized thighs bracketed Irina’s lower body. He turned his head and gave Mitch a flat, cold stare.

Acting on instinct, heart thumping in his chest, Mitch ignored the guy and caressed Irina’s shoulder. “You okay, baby?”

“Who is this?” the man growled in accented English.

“I am with him,” Irina said, a note of defiance in her voice.

The Russian looked Mitch up and down and made a dismissive sound. “You need a man? I can take care of that.”

Irina sneered. “Like Yuri did?”

She pushed against her captor’s chest, and he moved back as if surprised. She had just enough room to slither out from beneath his arm. Mitch immediately pulled her close and angled his body so he was standing between her and the man he presumed was one of the Russian enforcers.

“Yuri did nothing to protect us when the police came,” Irina spat.

“Mitch helped me get away. All the others at the house…” She made an angry gesture. “Gone.”

“You come with me,” the Russian said, grabbing her arm.

“Back off,” Mitch warned, hoping he’d be able to get off at least one punch before the guy planted one of his huge fists in his face.

“She comes with me,” the Russian said.

Mitch shook his head. “No way.”

Just when he was sure the guy was going to swing, Jasmine appeared out of nowhere. “There you are!” she exclaimed, rushing up.

“We’re ready for the next stop.” She looped her arm through Irina’s, dragging her a few feet down the hall. “I just love club hopping.” Over her shoulder she called to Mitch, “Are you coming or are you going to let the other boys have all the fun?”

The Russian’s eyes flamed. “You are making a mistake, Irina.”

She slowed until Mitch reached her side, then said, “Tell Olik if he wants me, he has to come himself. Not send his lapdog.”

When the Russian’s face suffused with fury, Mitch hurried both Irina and Jasmine back into the main part of the bar.

“Jealous boyfriend?” Jasmine said archly.

• 164 •

Justice for All

Irina gave her a feral smile. “I would not let him fuck my shoe.”

“Oh, poor Mitch.” Jasmine laughed. “You’re going to run him ragged.”

“He does not wear out easily.” Irina whispered in Mitch’s ear, “We should go before he calls someone.”

“I guess that’s my cue to get started,” Mitch said with a grin.

“We’ll catch you all another night.”

When the Kings called good night, Mitch noticed that Phil didn’t look up from the table.

“What about this guy Olik?” Mitch asked Irina as they headed for the door. “How do we get to him?”

She flicked a long, dark strand of hair away from her face. “He will come for me.”

• 165 •

• 166 •

Justice for All

ChAPTER SIxTEEN

Rebecca slipped into bed just before dawn. When Catherine turned toward her, she said, “You don’t need to wake up just yet.”

“Mmm.” Catherine ran her hands up and down Rebecca’s back.

“You’re warm. Feels nice.” She burrowed into Rebecca’s neck. “Smells nice.”

Rebecca chuckled. “I took a shower in the guest room. I was trying not to wake you up.”

Catherine slipped a firm thigh between Rebecca’s. “I thought you promised you would.”

Rebecca sucked in a breath. The silky glide of Catherine’s flesh between her legs teased her into full arousal in seconds. “I didn’t think I’d be so late.”

“Is everything all right?”

“Yes.” Rebecca couldn’t manage more than short sentences as Catherine rocked her leg steadily, insistently, into her. “Stayed to watch Mitch. All quiet.”

“You’re making my leg wet,” Catherine whispered. “So hot, so slick.”

Rebecca groaned. Her vision grew dark at the edges as she stroked her hand along the curve of Catherine’s hip, to the dip at her waist, and up to cradle the full oval of her breast. She rubbed the pad of her thumb over the tight ball of Catherine’s nipple. Catherine surged in her arms, her thigh driving high between Rebecca’s legs—opening her, cleaving her. Rebecca arched her hips and thrust, tormenting her already tortured

• 167 •

RADclY fFe

clitoris, forcing it back and forth over Catherine’s leg. Her mouth was on Catherine’s, and she matched the pulsations between her legs with deep, probing sweeps of her tongue. When Catherine gripped her hips to increase the force of her thrusting thigh, Rebecca broke away, panting for breath.

“You’re going to make me come,” she warned.

“That’s right. I love it when you come,” Catherine said fervently.

“I love to feel you shatter in my arms, so beautiful.” I love it when you need me, she didn’t say. I love to protect you. “Oh God, touch me. I can’t stand it. I’ve needed to come for hours.”

Rebecca pushed her hand between their bodies and cupped Catherine’s sex, her fingers sliding up and down the smooth, hot valley, her thumb sweeping back and forth across the rigid clitoris.

Catherine jerked in her arms, and Rebecca felt her control unravel. She concentrated, bearing down with her thumb.

“Oh, darling,” Catherine murmured, burying her face in Rebecca’s neck. “So good. You’re so good. Stay on it, darling, stay—oh God, just like that.”

“Catherine,” Rebecca moaned, her clitoris threatening to release.

The pressure was agonizing, her mind incapable of thought. Her hips pumped, and the burning spread outward from the apex of her thighs.

“It’s coming. I can’t…oh, fuck, here I come.”

“Don’t stop, I’m close,” Catherine gasped, her teeth setting into the muscle stretched taut along Rebecca’s neck. “I’m so so clo…oh!”

Catherine’s cry ignited Rebecca, and she shuddered as heat raced through her. She fired fast, peaked hard, and came down quickly, but Catherine kept pulsing in her hand, undulating waves of pleasure filling her palm.

“Oh God, oh God, oh God,” Catherine whimpered breathlessly.

Rebecca massaged her until the last spasms quieted, then wrapped her tightly in her arms. “I love you.”

“Oh, I love you.” Catherine rested her face against Rebecca’s chest. “Don’t leave me.”

“I won’t,” Rebecca promised, her heart twisting. She knew Catherine would never have asked if all her defenses hadn’t just been shattered, and she might not even remember it later. But Rebecca would not forget the helpless plea in her voice. She kissed her, slowly, as she stroked her hair and her back, calming her. “I won’t.”

• 168 •

Justice for All

Catherine smoothed trembling fingers lightly over Rebecca’s mouth, as if to stop her from making promises impossible to keep.

“Hold me. Just hold me.”

Rebecca could give her that, and she did.

v

“Hey,” Michael whispered, resting both hands on Sloan’s shoulders. “Any chance I could talk you into coming to bed? It’s late, and you didn’t get much sleep last night.”

Sloan tilted her head back against Michael’s midsection and closed her eyes. When Michael’s fingers threaded through her hair and massaged her scalp, she groaned.

Laughing softly, Michael leaned down and kissed the angle of her jaw. Circling her fingertips over Sloan’s temples, she said, “You’re tired, darling. And this case is just getting started.”

“Someone’s trying to crack my system,” Sloan murmured, her eyes still closed. “But they’re playing games.”