Well, your guess is as good as mine.”
“Interesting.”
Chapter 35
Bad for You
John
“This is your place?”
Turning from the freezer, I find Roni looking around. She seems… pensive. The wheels are turning and now I’m curious as to what she’s thinking.
I can’t help taking her in from head to toe. She has on a black short sleeve button up. It’s tucked into a pair of tight light blue jeans. She kicked off her ankle boots by the door. Her bare feet give me a view of black painted toes.
I grin. Pink toes, not my Roni. Although from here I can tell they have a light sparkle to them. What I’d give to have those toes in my mouth while slamming into her tight pussy.
Damn, what did she ask me? Oh, my place. Right.
“Sort of. I’ve been playing with the idea of getting a place here. I’m renting to see how it feels. After six months, if I like it, I’ll consider the purchase or extend the lease,” I reply.
She moves to sit on the couch. I like how comfortable she looks in my space. I’m starting to like this apartment more with each passing second.
“The Toy Cop Academy not good enough for you?”
I grin at her nickname for the training facility. “It’s fine enough, but I want a space of my own.”
“How long is this training supposed to last? I thought I’d be coming to L.A. soon.”
“You will, but I do business here. Having a place isn’t such a bad idea.”
“Mm.” She nods. “How much does a place like this cost anyway?”
Closing the distance between us, I meet her in the living room and hand her a tumbler of whisky. She takes it and locks eyes with me. I lift my shoulder and pull a face. “A few grand a month.”
“What’s a few grand a month? Two, three?”
“Fifteen.” I knock back the tumbler of amber liquid that reminds me of her eyes.
Eyes that fill with sadness as she drops her head, looking defeated. My curiosity heightens. Taking her tumbler from her hand, I place both on the coffee table.
She takes a seat, staring down into her lap. Taking the seat beside her, I cup her face and lift it until her brown eyes lock on mine. She covers my hands with hers and I search her gaze. “Talk to me.”
“I can’t afford something like this.”
I furrow my brows. “What?”
“I have to find a place for me and Torque. Whether here or L.A. we need to find a place soon. This isn’t for him. He’s impulsive and he doesn’t stop to think. He’ll get himself killed out there. I want more for him.”
I nod. Torque’s birthday will be here soon. If he turns eighteen while here in New York with Nate, they’re going to start handing him assignments. I’ve been thinking about that a lot.
She’s right. I don’t think he’s ready. He’s smart, he’s decent at hand to hand and a damn good shot, but Torque rushes through things like a teenaged boy does. He hasn’t gained the discipline needed for what’s being asked of him.
I stroke her cheek. “You and Torque come to Cali whenever you say the word. I’ll make it happen. Neither of you have to stay.”
“I want to be able to make money and take care of us. If you decide…” she trails off and looks away.
“Is that what you think? You think I’ll decide I don’t want you guys? I won’t help you?”
“I want to make my own money with my own skills. These are the skills I have now. This is what I know.”
I bob my head. “And revenge, you know revenge.”
She turns away, but I bring her face back to mine. “What do you want me to say? You do know when I find Natasha, I’m going after her. If those filthy animals still have her when that happens, I will kill every single one of them where they stand. If not, I will find them one by one and make them pay.”
“And…” I say, narrowing my eyes.
“What makes you think there’s an and?”
“There is. Val was onto something.”
She turns away again.
Not wanting to push too hard too soon, I stand and go to fill our glasses again. My mind plays over her words and the incident in the ring. Val sees something in Roni. If I tell the truth, I’ve seen it as well.
When I go to return with our drinks and the bottle of Whiskey, I find her standing at the stereo. Music starts to