involvement in the bust tonight?” That would lead to new charges, and I’d have to recuse myself because I’d be a witness.
Pierce frowned, losing the smile. “Oddly enough, I don’t have probable cause for an arrest tonight. We have no proof that Aiden held intent to be in possession of drugs, unless you know it to be true.”
I shook my head. “I saw him drive the car hauler to save me, but I didn’t see drugs.” Even if the drugs were in those cars, Aiden could say he just used the vehicle to save me, which he did. “What about the battery charge from when he punched the DEA Agent during the bust at the Lordes?” It was a good case.
Somehow, Pierce’s frown grew darker. “The DEA Agent said it wasn’t Devlin who hit him. It’s your word against the agent’s, and any decent defense attorney will get Devlin off.”
I swallowed. Why would the agent cover for Aiden? “I thought Devlin didn’t work for or with the DEA.” None of this was making sense.
“He doesn’t,” Pierce said. “But he’s got friends in high places, or he’s involved somewhere and somehow. Either way, he’s dangerous, or he’s in danger, and you should stay away from him.” Then Pierce, too, walked out into the dark and rainy night without another word.
That was probably good advice, but I really needed to know the truth. Would Aiden finally tell me? Could he?
Just then, Aiden limped out of a closer room, wearing hospital scrubs. He eyed me from head to toe. “You broken anywhere?”
“No. Just bruised,” I murmured, feeling way too affected by testosterone all of a sudden. “You?”
“Just stitches.” He looked pretty good in scrubs.
I stood carefully, trying not to jostle any of my aches or pains. “I’m headed home. Want to come with me?” I wasn’t trying to be coy or even seductive, since it was time we were honest with each other.
“Yeah.” He took my hand, and we walked out into the rain together.
“You’re going to level with me tonight,” I warned him, heading toward his motorcycle.
He exhaled. “Tonight, we’re going to eat some food, drink some wine, and get some sleep. If we wake up, feeling okay, we’re going to fuck. But I am not talking tonight, and you’re going to have to trust me. At least for a little while.”
I sighed. “I’ll try, but first I do need a couple of answers. Do you work for the DEA?”
“God, no.” He kept walking in the rain, his hand warm around mine.
I exhaled. “Is your rap sheet accurate? Did you break all of those laws?”
He was silent for a moment. “No.”
Hope crashed through me, and I waited to ask another question. “You’re one of the good guys?”
His chuckle was dark. Sexy. “I’m not one of the good guys, but I’m not a criminal. Well, not really. That’s all I can tell you right now. Trust me.”
I could trust him. Heck, I was really trusting myself. One night to let him have his secrets was all right with me. While I’d give him this night, he needed to come clean soon.
He straddled the bike and held out an arm to help me on. I wrapped my hands around his waist and snuggled my face into his back.
Aiden Devlin was finally home.
Chapter 43
I slept most of the day on Wednesday. Aiden had, indeed, spent the night. There had been a lot of gentle kisses and rolling around in the morning, as well as a couple of intense orgasms on my part. But there hadn’t been much talking. He’d taken off early, leaving me to sleep the day away.
Early afternoon, I called Pauley to make sure he was all right. His voice reassured me, and then my aunt confirmed that he was dealing well with the drama of the other day. Thank goodness. I then put in a call to Lacey, leaving a message because she was at work. She’d no doubt call the next day.
Late afternoon, I walked carefully into Bud’s hospital room with a pretty bouquet of yellow daisies to place on his counter. “Hi.”
He took up all of the long bed and then some more. The cop looked different out of uniform in the soft white hospital gown. More approachable and kind of goofy. Well, he’d always looked goofy. He eyed me and sighed. “Please don’t get me killed today.”
I swatted his foot. “Come on. You’ve been on protection duty before, and hey, you were wearing a vest. You’re smart.”