running. He turns around, pinning me with a serious look. “I’m going in with Hunter. I want you two to wait here.”
“Like we’re the getaway car? I’ll move up to the front seat then.”
Thank God Connor realizes that at least half of my silliness is a way to deal with stress and nerves because he doesn’t yell or anything. He just takes me seriously and responds evenly, “No, not a getaway car. We want to talk to Carter and settle some things. While you wait here.”
That last part sounds dangerously like an order. There is only one place I like to be bossed around, and this isn’t it. Well, Connor was kinda bossy when we got back from fucking on the same seat I’m sitting in now, but that was a deliciously good way. Other than that . . . nope. Naked and making me come is the only time someone can boss me around. Even Connor.
I stay silent, not agreeing but not disagreeing either while I think about what he’s ‘asking’ of me. I am definitely in over my head here, and Connor and Hunter obviously have some mastermind plan they agreed on after I fell asleep last night.
It pisses me off, honestly. What am I, some sitcom housewife? Good for a laugh when I’m swinging a golf club but not able to be filled in on the real details of things? Nah, that’s not going to continue.
Connor and I will discuss that later.
And I’m worried about him. He’s walking into a police department where that asshole Detective Carter is actively looking for The Black Rose’s thief.
My best guess is that Connor plans to leverage Mr. Big's reputation as someone Carter shouldn’t mess with, but how tough is the guy really if I could take him out with one swing of a statue?
As Connor and Hunter go inside, JP and I are left alone. I twiddle my thumbs patiently for about two minutes before I turn to him and ask, “So, are you supposed to keep me here?”
JP smiles kindly. “No, but we are supposed to stay here. Let Connor and Hunter talk to the police.”
I nod, considering my options and still not sure what’s best. After a minute of squirming, I look back over at JP, who’s still cool and collected. “But if I were to get out, you won’t stop me?”
JP looks concerned and glances toward the police department door. Just to test him, I open my door and stick a foot out.
“Poppy?” he says uncertainly. “Por favor.”
I give him a mega-watt smile to ease his nerves. “It’ll be fine.”
I’m not sure if I’m telling him or convincing myself. But either way, I get out, closing the truck door and striding toward the station door with as much guts as I can manage. Nothing bad happens, or at least nobody swarms out to arrest me for attacking Mr. Big, and I get braver.
Inside, I see the same desk officer from before, and she smiles warmly. I think she remembers me and my anger-induced loud dismissal of Detective Carter the first time I was here, but hopefully not my dramatic tirade when I was forced to wait while freaking out. Her response gives me confidence, and I stride up to her desk with my head held high.
“I’m here to talk to Detective Carter.”
The desk officer gestures toward the chairs off to my right. “He’s with someone at the moment. Would you like to wait?”
I can’t wait. I will lose all my courage if I sit in one of those chairs. And I’m already not doing what Connor asked of me, so why would I follow what this woman wants me to do? I’m in for a penny, in for a pound, so I keep my composure and give her a casual smile. “Two growly-sexy dudes, one who’s walking sex on a stick and the other, an asshole? I’m actually with them too, so I’ll see myself back. This is urgent.”
I don’t wait for permission, preferring to ask for forgiveness or flat-out ignore that I might need permission in the first place, and walk into the back room of desks. Connor, Hunter, and Detective Carter are all standing at one of the desks. Carter looks murderous, his palms on the desktop as he leans forward to snarl at Connor and Hunter.
“No way. You’re not taking this from me. I worked this case. It’s mine.” He thumps his chest with a fist, and I’m reminded of a posturing gorilla trying