Collision Force (17 page)

“Of course you don’t.” Cole made a fist and tapped the steering wheel with his knuckles.

“I told you inside, not at work.”

“We’re not at work. We’re
outside
of work. Only you and me here. No one else to worry about. Let’s have it.”

She swallowed hard, her face red. Cole wanted to reach for her, comfort her in some manner. But he stayed frozen, waiting for her to speak.

“We have work to do,” she said.

“I’m not going anywhere until we talk.”

Andi sighed, and closed her eyes. “Last night…was…”

God, please don’t let her say a ‘mistake’.
Cole’s heart thudded.

He jolted in his seat. Good thing she didn’t see. “Fantastic,” he said.

She opened her eyes and their gazes locked.

Cole wouldn’t let her go, wouldn’t let her shut him out. The idea…hurt.

She looked torn, pained. Andi bit her full bottom lip and he wanted to lean over and take her mouth with his.

“It can’t happen again,” she whispered. Her words were shaky, and she planted her hands on her knees, her knuckles white.

“I’m not letting you go.” Cole’s voice was low but firm.

Andi gasped, but didn’t look away from him. “I…”

“You needed last night as much as I did.”

She shook her head, her expression shouting denial. Her fingers flexed and her knuckles blanched.

Desperation clawed at him and Cole forced a breath. His heart pounded.
Calm the hell down.
“The truth is… I need you.”
Shit. Oh. Shit
. He’d actually said it out loud.

“N-n-need me?” Andi croaked.

“Yes.” He nodded and concentrated hard on portraying confidence. His stomach was in knots. When was the last time he’d allowed a woman to do this to him? That would be a big, fat
never
.

“I…”

Yeah, Cole didn’t know what to say, either. “Let’s just go.”

Since when was cowardice a part of his makeup? He wasn’t weak.

He shook his head and fought the urge to break away from her gaze.

Andi was staring at him, her expression—for the first time
ever
—unreadable. She probably thought he was a coward, too.

He turned the key with more force than necessary and the Challenger roared to life. “Is this place far?” he asked, cursing his shaky tone.

“No. Do you remember how to get to the warehouse district? It’s one street over.”

“I do. Hope we have some luck.”

Andi cleared her throat and adjusted the volume on her portable radio. “Me too.”

Chapter Fifteen

Damn, it had taken him almost an hour to catch up with the bright blue Dodge Challenger. But he’d got lucky just cruising the main streets, not even having to hop on the freeway.

The FBI agent was near the warehouse where Carlo had taken out Gains and Reese. And the woman was with him in the car. What the hell?

They drove around the block a few times, moving slower than necessary. What were they looking for? Why was the woman in the car? They pulled over once or twice, motioning homeless-looking people over to the driver’s side. The talking—or questioning or whatever it was—didn’t last long. Then they would move on. Carlo watched, keeping his distance.

After a few hours, he followed them back into town, and to the grocery store where he’d dumped the Beemer. He waited for them to walk into the store, boredom settling over him. Never had had the patience for stakeouts.

The radio in the red Cavalier he’d jacked was broken, so he didn’t even have that to distract him.

Cole Lucas and his woman came back out about a half an hour later, both carrying plastic bags. What was the FBI agent doing, playing house? He watched them chatting as they put the bags in the trunk of the car.

It’d be dark in less than an hour. He could observe them at the house with less worry of being caught. Not that Cole Lucas would notice him—the FBI agent was so far up her ass it wasn’t even funny.

Blending in with traffic was easy as he followed them, and he pulled behind a sleek silver sedan across the street and close to the corner.

Carlo watched them as they got out of the car. She shook her head, and though he couldn’t see the look on Lucas’ face, his shoulders were tight—the FBI agent wasn’t happy.

After dropping the grocery bags he had in both hands, he grabbed the woman’s arm. She resisted, but Cole Lucas had her pinned between his body and the car in seconds. His dark head bent low, and he kissed her. Didn’t stop kissing her. Whatever argument they were having was lost as the bag in her hand slipped to the ground and her arms went around his neck. Lucas’ woman certainly didn’t look upset.

“Who woulda thunk it?” he whispered.

The couple broke apart and retrieved what they’d bought at the store, the woman swaying on her feet until the FBI agent put his arm around her shoulders.

Lucas didn’t even look away from his chick as he escorted her up the walkway, porch steps, and into the house. He’d always been sharp, but now the guy was lost to her.

What the hell had happened to the badass Carlo had known for more than a year? He’d considered Mike Amato, Lucas’ alias, his good friend. He couldn’t see Mike anywhere in the pussy-whipped man headed into the house. But it’d been lies, a game.

Cole Lucas would get what was coming to him.

Carlo had been watching them almost daily for over a week. Not once had he been spotted. Testament to the fact the FBI agent was slipping. To Carlo’s advantage, of course.

The front door opened and he froze, his gaze intent. A girl, sixteen or seventeen, sauntered down the porch steps, throwing her dark hair over a shoulder. She had a purple book bag on one arm and paused behind the blue car, pulling a cell phone from her pocket.

“Well, well, what do we have here?” he whispered.

Light from the device illuminated her cheeks as she read the screen, a smile splitting her face. She didn’t even look up as she crossed the driveway of the house next door, then the lawn, before tucking the phone back into her jeans.

She had one hand on the railing and a foot on the bottom step of the porch before changing directions and heading towards the sidewalk. He watched her lithe, slender body as she went to the mailbox on the corner. She reached in, her hair falling forward like a curtain as she leaned. The kid was appealing, no doubt.

Carlo grinned. “Hello, opportunity. Why yes, I hear you knocking.”

Heart pounding, an idea bloomed. He glanced at the burner phone he’d picked up from Wally-world a few nights before. Lucas was a big draw…but a girl… A pretty one… Dollar signs danced through his head. He’d grieved for the twenty-five K he’d lost long enough. Time for some steel balls.

Calling anyone within his former boss’s organisation was a big risk. They knew where he was…sort of. But if he grabbed the girl, Lucas would come after her. He’d promise Caselli first crack at the FBI agent and sweeten the deal with the girl.

She was a bit too old to bring into the life, but her looks would still get him a good deal, or at least tempt his old boss.

Swallowing the nerves creeping up his throat, he made his fingers dial the cell.

Ring
. Then two more.

Shit, maybe voicemail would save his coward ass for now.

“Yo,” the deep voice barked.

Well, not so much
.

“Bruno?”

The pause was so long Carlo’s heart skipped two beats. Was Caselli’s right hand still on the phone? Bruno Gallo—Bruno G or just G to most—had risen in the ranks when Berto had gone straight. He’d never liked Carlo, but the feeling was mutual.

“No shit.” The tone held equal parts anger and wonder. “Maldonado, I’m gonna kill your ass.”

Tension forced a humourless laugh from Carlo’s mouth. His stomach jumped. “I have something Caselli wants.”

Again the silence on the other end of the phone just about killed him. Bruno Gallo was a bastard.

“Caselli wants you dead. End. Of.”

“He’ll change his mind when he hears what I have to offer.”

“You really do have balls bigger than your brain, don’cha?”

Carlo ploughed on, gripping the phone tighter to his ear. “Cole Lucas.”

This time the pause didn’t shock him.

“Define
have
,” Bruno demanded.

“He’s here, and I have a plan.”

Bruno laughed. “You’re mostly useless, Maldonado, and you always have been.”

“I got rid of Big Rod and Jim, did I not?”

His former colleague growled and Carlo was hit with a wave of satisfaction.
Fuck Bruno Gallo.

“You
will
die.”

“Why don’t you run that by the boss first? Something tells me he’d be interested. He wants Cole Lucas more than he wants little ol’ me.”

“I’d prefer a twofer,” Bruno said.

“You don’t get to choose,” Carlo snapped.

“We’ll just see about that.”

Carlo paused, chest tight. Good fucking thing he was an excellent bluffer. “Since when do you run the show?”

“Fuck you, Maldonado.”

“That’s what I thought.” He released a breath. “Let me talk to Caselli.”

“
I’ll
talk to the boss,” Bruno said.

He could see the scowl on the other man’s scarred face in his mind. But Carlo had won for now. Caselli wouldn’t pass up a chance at the traitor FBI agent.

Dangle, dangle.
His former boss would bite.

“What do you want?” Bruno asked.

Carlo jumped in his seat in the shitty Chevy. “Back-up. More specifically, a way out. Money. And I’ll go away forever. Caselli won’t ever have to worry about me again.”

Caselli’s right hand growled again. “I’ll see what I can do.”

“Will you? Or will you stab me in the back?”

“I said I’ll talk to Caselli and I
will
.” Bruno sounded insulted.

Smirking, he shook his head even though Bruno couldn’t see him. “I have a plan.”

“I’m sure you do. I’ll be in contact.”

“You do that,” Carlo answered.

Click.
The line went dead as Bruno ended the call.

Satisfaction hit Carlo in a wave. Finally, something was going to go his way.

* * * *

Pete raised his eyebrow as he gave Cole a once-over at Andi’s front door. The tall blond had a wine bottle in one hand and thrust the other out—as an afterthought?

A navy blue sling hung unused around his neck, as it had in the hospital, but the detective’s injured arm didn’t look any worse for the wear.

“Hey,” Cole said, giving his hand a firm shake as Andi’s partner stepped into the house.

“Howdy.” Pete’s smile was wide, but Cole was a little uneasy. Hadn’t Pete known Cole was joining them for dinner? The man knew he was staying at her house, after all.

“Looking good, man. How’s the arm?” Cole said.

“Good, good. Glad to be out,” Pete said, as if the hospital was jail. “Raring to get back to work, though.”

One corner of Cole’s mouth lifted and he nodded. “When’s that happening?”

“Damn doc wants me to take it easy. She won’t release me yet.” Pete shook his head, his fair brow furrowed.

“I bet that’s—”

“Unca’ Pete! Unca’ Pete!” Ethan’s shout cut off Cole’s statement, but he grinned at Andi’s son.

The little boy barrelled into Pete, throwing both small arms around him. The detective hauled him up on his right hip, but Cole didn’t miss his wince.

Andi appeared in the kitchen doorway, hand on one shapely hip, and slotted spoon in the other. “Ethan, what did I tell you?” The admonition made the child’s smile fade.

“Aww, don’t yell at him, partner,” Pete said, grinning. “He’s fine. How’re ya?” He tickled Ethan’s tummy.

“Good,” the little boy giggled.

“We’re good,” Andi said at the same time, her eyes sweeping all three of them.

She smiled and Cole’s heart jumped.

Pete made it to Andi’s side in two strides. She took the wine and thanked him. Her partner leant down to press a kiss onto her cheek.

A wave of possessiveness washed over Cole. He bit back a glare, forcing himself not to move. Who exactly was he upset with—Pete for his action, or himself for his…feelings? Why was he letting this happen? Women
never
got to him. Andi was no different.
But she is different,
a voice chided.

His words in the car floated into his mind. He’d told her he needed her.
Dammit
, it was true.

“Dinner’s almost ready,” Andi said, taking his attention.

Pete nodded and set Ethan to his feet, grimacing and rotating his shoulder.

“You okay?” Andi asked, her eyebrows knitting.

“Yeah, just a bit stiff.”

Her expression shouted that she didn’t believe a word, even though he plastered on a smile.

“Hey, man, want a beer?” Cole asked, stepping forward. Poor guy was gonna get nagged at.

Pete shot him a look, but nodded. “Sure, sounds good. Wine is for dinner, anyway.”

They headed into the kitchen, Ethan jumping up and down to punctuate his conversation with Andi’s partner. Pete laughed, but took the little boy’s hand and hung on his every word.

Cole watched the natural way they interacted. They were one hundred per cent comfortable with each other, and his gut tightened. Did Ethan feel the same way about him?

Wait, was he actually…envious? Worried the kid didn’t like him?

Cursing under his breath, he shook his head. Pete’s eyes narrowed and Cole pretended not to notice.

After meandering to the refrigerator, he grabbed two beers. Andi smiled at him from the counter where she stood tending an electric skillet. Whatever she was making smelt fantastic. She’d explained it was her secret speciality when they’d been at the store.
You’ll love it
,
she’d promised.

“Want a beer, babe?” The word slipped out without thought.

Andi shot a look to Pete and Ethan, but they were too involved in conversation to notice. Her cheeks pinkened and she shook her head. Cole didn’t want to upset her, but he wouldn’t apologise, either. Pete should know about them.