Never Gonna Happen - Cynthia Eden Page 0,23
on his way. He has lots of things to investigate.”
“Lots,” Winston agreed, deadpan. “Like that extra house key of yours, Alyssa. I need to give it to my crime scene team. Though since Sebastian apparently likes to touch all kinds of evidence, I’m sure I’ll be turning up his prints on it.”
That was just insulting. He didn’t like to touch all kinds of evidence. Just some. “I didn’t know it was fucking evidence at the time.”
Winston smirked at him. “First the phone. Then the key. What’s next?”
Next, I want to get my hands on the bastard who is doing this. I want to beat the hell out of him.
Winston turned his attention to Alyssa, and his smirk morphed to real concern. “What’s next?” he said again. “The choice is yours, Alyssa.”
Alyssa hesitated. She sucked on her lower lip. Her gaze met Sebastian’s. Lingered.
Sebastian’s cock shoved hard at the front of his jeans. He was such a bastard.
“Are you sure I won’t inconvenience you?” Her voice was very careful.
“Not even a little bit.” He didn’t look away. “If you’re not here, I’d just worry myself to death, anyway. So you’re helping me out.”
“You’d really worry about me that much?”
“Absolutely.”
She glanced toward Winston.
“He does have good security,” Winston allowed.
Thank you for finally backing me up!
“Though our safe houses are hardly what you’d call dank.”
Agree to disagree. When he’d been a punk-ass teen, Sebastian had spent far too much time being shuttled around in those pits.
“I’m sure the investigation will be wrapped up quickly,” Alyssa continued. Sebastian wondered if she was trying to reassure herself with that line. Probably. “Okay.” She nodded decisively. “I’ll stay with Sebastian, but we are going to establish rules. Firm rules.”
He sighed. “Why? They just suck the fun out of everything.”
For a moment, her eyes seemed to gleam. He stopped breathing. He liked it so much when her eyes lit up and a faint smile would tease the corners of her mouth and—
Winston waved his hand near Sebastian’s face. “Yo. I’m leaving. Walk me out.”
Dammit. He’d been caught gaping at her. Sebastian shoved back his shoulders and inclined his head to Alyssa. “Start mentally making your rules. We'll go over the list when I come back.” He marched out, keeping his stride all strong and aggressive, but as soon as they were outside—
“Oh, man, you are so in over your head,” Winston said, voice almost pitying.
Sebastian wasn’t in the mood for pity. “I’ve got this.”
“You were practically drooling over her. There is no way you’ll keep your hands off that woman if she is sleeping in your house.”
He didn’t disagree.
“Can you keep her safe when you’re so tangled up in her? Serious question. I need to know because if you can’t—”
“No one is going to hurt her. I would kill before that happened.”
Winston blinked. “You’re not supposed to tell a detective that you’re ready to kill people.”
“I didn’t tell a detective. I told my friend.”
“You are always pulling this shit with me.”
He was. “I’ll try to be better.”
“You are lying.”
Maybe. “I have to tell her.”
“Good. It’s about time.” A firm nod from Winston. “Just begin by saying that it’s not some fleeting emotion, that you’ve felt this way for years and—”
“Not that.” He grabbed Winston’s arm and hauled him away from the house. “And, Jesus, lower your voice, would you? I have to tell her about the side business I do with Antony.”
Winston whistled. “That will not go well.”
“Yeah, well, she’s in the middle of this mess.” His mess. “She needs to know what she’s dealing with and why cops might not be the best choice to keep her safe.” A pause. “No offense because you are definitely not an ordinary cop.”
“Damn straight, I’m not. I’m the best there is.” Winston released a long breath. “Your big reveal is going to blow up in your face. Probably going to make her super angry with you.”
“Yes, and that’s why I’m not telling her until you’re gone. I don’t want her changing her mind and trying to leave with you as she hitches a ride to your safe house.”
“My dank safe house.”
Winston wasn’t going to let that one go. “You know some of those places the PD uses are holes in the wall.”
“Because they are hidden. They are supposed to be low profile.” He gestured toward Sebastian’s house. “Not like it’s supposed to be lifestyles of the rich and assholey.”
“I love you, too, man.”
Winston laughed. “Watch your ass. Watch her ass.”
“Always.”
“But, listen, if you get intel I can use—not your