Provoke

Chapter Twenty-One

Mace

Parking in the visitor’s lot at the prison, I laughed to myself. Twice in one week? God, I must really be in trouble. But I wasn’t there to see Dad this time; I was there to see my brother.

And Dad couldn’t find out about it.

I went through security and was led toward the visitors’ area by a guard.

“Hey,” I said once we were out of earshot. I hadn’t met this guy before—bribing a guard you didn’t know was always a huge risk. “Say I wanted to meet my brother somewhere a little more private? Could you hook me up?”

The guard stopped and turned, staring at me though narrowed eyes. Just when I thought I was going to get hauled off into my own cell, he nodded.

“I could help you out . . . but you need to understand the risk in that for me.” I pulled out a fifty. He nodded. “Follow me.”

I nodded at the guard as he ushered me into a small, dark, closet-sized space.

“Wait here,” he said, locking me in. Shoving my hands in my pockets, I sat down on at the small metal table that occupied the centre of the room. It was little more than an interrogation space. I glanced at the mirror that stretched along the length of the wall. Was it paranoid of me to wonder if there was anyone behind there, watching me? How the fuck was I supposed to speak to Cash here?

The door opened and Cash walked in. He said something to the guard, who nodded and left us alone. I narrowed my eyes at my brother.

“What?” He shrugged. “I just asked the guy to leave us alone for a few minutes.”

“So, you’ve got this whole place wrapped around your finger, huh?”

Cash smirked as he approached me. He set his hands down on the table. “What do you want, Mace? Don’t tell me you’re fucking things up already.”

“You’d love that, wouldn’t you?” I grumbled, running my fingers through my hair. I hated that I needed help. I hated even more that it was Cash I was asking. He laughed and sat down while I scowled at him.

My brother was a scary-looking dude, with tattoos covering both arms and half his body. He was tall—a good few inches taller than me—and had the body of a weightlifter.

“So what? You stick to the plan and find these fuckers, and I’ll do the rest.” Cash shrugged.

Yeah, because it’s all that fucking easy.

“Mace,” he sighed, shaking his head. “What the fuck is wrong with you, man?”

“You don’t get it,” I growled, smashing my fists down on the table. “You have no fucking idea what I’ve been through the last few months. You think finding these guys is fucking easy? You think I enjoyed helping those sick fucks get their rocks off? You think I enjoyed cheating on Leet?” I stopped, swallowing hard.

It wasn’t worth it. He would never understand. We may have been brothers, but Cash had lost the ability to empathize a long time ago.

“That’s what this is really about.” Cash laughed, stretching his arms behind his head. “Your chick. All you care about is her, and not fucking up what you have.”

“Just leave it,” I warned him. I wasn’t in the mood to listen to him badmouth Leet. And they wondered why I never visited.

“No, I’m right, aren’t I? Fuck family. Fuck Anna. You care more about this courtroom chick than you ever did about us.”

“That’s bullshit and you know it,” I growled, getting to my feet.

Anger pulsated through my veins. Who the fuck was he to sit there and judge me?

“You fucked up your own life, and you resent the fact that I still have one. That’s why you’re so insistent on being the one who fucks these guys up. You want to give them a reason to lock you up for good, because you’re too much of a pussy to get out and make something of your life,” I spat, my eyes level with his.

He laughed bitterly. “That’s why you involved Dad, isn’t it? I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why you had gone to him, but that’s it, isn’t it?”

I backed off, flexing my shaking hands.

“He is in here for life. He is never getting out. You still have a choice.” I turned around and banged on the door. The guard came in immediately and escorted me out. I glanced back at my brother, who was sitting down, holding his head in his hands.

Nothing I said was going to get through to him. I knew that, but at least I’d tried.

#

Was there any chance she was going to forgive me?

She wouldn’t be helping you if there were no chance. Leave it; stop pushing her into giving you answers she’s not ready to give.

It was great advice. Only, I rarely listened to my own advice.

I jumped off my bike and took my helmet off, tucking it under my arm as I walked up to her front door. I knocked. I could hear her thumping around inside as she ran for the door, swinging it open. I breathed in sharply, wetting my lips as my gaze ran over her short light-blue skirt and white tee. I felt my cock harden as my eyes fell on her stiff nipples, which were on show through the thin fabric.

“Hey.” She stood aside and let me in. I walked past her, my finger ‘accidentally’ brushing past her smooth thigh. “Any news?”

I shook my head. I wasn’t planning on telling her about my visit with Cash. I let myself into her living room, with her following behind me, and walked right over to the couch, which I sank down into.

“Make yourself at home,” she said, her tone dry. The edges of her lips twitched. I shrugged. Was there a point in making all this more awkward? She grabbed two cans of soda from the kitchen. “So, are you here for a reason?” she asked, handing me one of the cans.

“I just wanted to check on you.”

“You could’ve done that over the phone.”

“Okay. I wanted to see you.” I spoke bluntly.

She sighed, sitting down the other end of the couch, tucking her legs up under her knees. “Mace . . .” Her voice trailed off.

I waited for her to continue, but nothing came. Shifting in my seat so I was facing her, I rested my arm along the back of the couch, studying her.

She was nervous; I could tell by the way she kept wetting her lips and fidgeting with her fingers. Nervous about what? Me? My eyes fell on her nipples again, which were still stiff as fuck. Maybe she didn’t trust herself with me? I could work with that.

I held out my hand, motioning for her to take it. She hesitated, but did.

“What are you doing, Mace?”

“What? I’m holding your hand,” I said, my fingernails drawing circles on her soft skin.

“I can’t do this.”

“Do what?” I asked, pulling her toward me. She whimpered as I kissed her lips. My fingers stroked the side of her face as I kissed her again, my mouth crashing against hers. She kissed me back, then pulled away.

“Mace, this is not giving me space,” she groaned, her hands slapping her forehead.

“I know, I’m sorry. Take all the time you need.”

She shot me a look.

“What?” I said, spotting my phone on the floor. I bent down to retrieve it, figuring that it fell out of my pants pocket. I half listened to Leet muttering as I checked my emails.

Shit: another email. Another job.

My heart pounded as I clicked it open. I swallowed, my throat rougher than sandpaper as I read the words over and over.

Brunette. Slim. Feisty. I want a fighter. Wednesday. Nine p.m.

Feisty. Had last time given him a thirst for something more violent? That’s if it even was the same guy. It was too hard to tell. The emails always came from a new account, and the details I was supplied with were minimal.

“Mace?”

I glanced over as Leet threw her hands up in the air in frustration. “See? You’re not even listening to me. That’s exactly what I mean.”

I handed her my phone, watching her mouth drop as she read the email.

“So, what now?” she demanded.

I shrugged. I didn’t want to say it.

Her eyes darkened. “No way, Mace. Not again. I swear, if you want there to be any chance of us getting things right . . .”

“What’s the alternative, Leet? I’m so close. I can’t just let this go.”

“Fine,” she said. “Then use me.”

“No fucking way,” I growled. “Leeta, you are not doing this—”

She threw the phone back at me and got to her feet.

“Come on, Mace. Brunette? Slim? I’m perfect for his sick little fantasy, and you know it. He wants feisty? I’ll give him fucking feisty,” she stated, stalking around the room.

It was pointless even arguing with her. I sat down and sighed. She walked around and stood between my legs. Tilting my chin up, she forced me to look at her.

“You know this is perfect, Mace. You know it. I can be of so much use in there with you. We have a real shot at getting this guy.”

I nodded and leaned forward, wrapping my arms around her hips. She was right. I knew she was right, but if anything happened to her because of me, I’d never forgive myself.