Chapter 8: Crown of Smoke: Chapter 8

‘You idiot,’ I hiss, practically carrying her toward the side exit. She tries to plant her feet, but I’m not having it. Not this time.

A shout rings out behind us. I haul her the last few feet to the door. I release her mouth to open it, but when she opens her mouth, probably to argue, I clamp my hand over it.

‘Not. A. Word.’

Fucking hell. What is she thinking? I was up on the catwalk, watching Ronan’s movements when I spotted her ducking behind some crates. What is she doing here?

My warning from days ago rings in my head, clear as a bell. “Stop investigating the Keans.” Four simple words she’s completely ignored. Now she’d put herself right in the middle of one of the most dangerous places she could be.

‘Stubborn woman,’ I muttered under my breath. Once again, she’d fucked up my mission. For a moment, I considered staying in my post, doing my job. She hadn’t been too grateful to me the last time I abandoned my duty to save her.

I’m no hero, but neither could I stand by and watch a woman too stubborn for her own good get killed.

My brother’s voice crackled in my earpiece. ‘Is that the journalist?’

‘Yeah.’

‘She’s going to get herself killed.’

“Dammit.” I yanked out my earpiece before my brother could protest. I crept down to the main floor, behind Lucy, and grabbed her. She had no clue I was behind her, which proves again how ill-equipped she is. If I were one of Ronan’s men, she’d already be dead.

The metal door creaks as I shoulder it open and pull Lucy out. I drag Lucy to the end of the building and then around the corner, hopefully out of sight of any Kean men. My grip is probably too tight, but I can’t bring myself to care. Better bruised than dead.

Footsteps echo behind us. Fuck.

“Keep quiet if you want to live.” I release her, grabbing her arm and tugging her so she’ll run with me. I pull her faster, taking sharp turns through the maze of warehouses. My heart’s racing, but not from exertion. Pure fear drives me. Fear of what would have happened if I hadn’t spotted her in time.

We don’t stop until we’re several blocks away, hidden between two buildings. Lucy’s breathing hard, her face flushed.

I release her arm but cage her against the brick wall, my hands planted on either side of her head. ‘What part of ‘stop investigating the Keans’ wasn’t clear?’

Lucy shoves against my chest, her small hands balled into fists. ‘Let me go!’

‘Stop fighting me.’ I press closer, using my body to keep her pinned. ‘Unless you want Ronan’s men to find us. If you want to die, go ahead, but I’ll be damned if you take me with you.’

She keeps struggling, landing a solid hit to my shoulder. ‘I had it under control.’

‘Under control?’ I bark out a harsh laugh. ‘You were two steps from being caught by badass Ronan Kean himself. Don’t let his fancy suit fool you. He’s ten times worse than O’Brian and Connor.”

She goes still, studying my face in the dim light between the buildings. Her expression shifts to suspicion. ‘Wait. How did you know I was there?’

“What?”

‘Have you been following me?’ Her voice rises. ‘Is that why you showed up at the exact right moment?’

“You’re sure full of yourself.” Okay, so I did follow her a few nights ago. And I’d be a liar if I hadn’t thought about following her since knowing she’d do something stupid like follow Ronan Kean into a warehouse. But I’d been working tonight. “The world doesn’t revolve around you. Some of us have our own jobs. You sure have a way of showing up to fuck with mine.”

She has the good sense to look down and recognize her self-important statement.

I step back, giving her space. “Good thing I was here.”

Her chin lifts, defiant even now. ‘I didn’t ask for your protection.’

‘Clearly, you need it.’

Hurt flashes across her face. ‘I’m not some damsel who needs saving. I’m trying to do my job, expose the truth about what the Keans are doing.’

‘The truth?” I lean closer to her, wanting her to get the message. ‘The truth will get you killed. Is that what you want?’

‘What I want is answers.’ She takes a step toward me, jabbing a finger at my chest. ‘And now I’m wondering if you’re the one I should be investigating. Who are you really, Flynn? Are you working with the law or a rival family?’

The last thing I need is for her to start snooping around me and my brothers, although that’s a safer story than the Keans. And there’s a part of me that wants her to know me. The real me. But I have a duty to my family, and that means keeping her in the dark about who I am and my mission.

‘You want answers?’ I’m so fucking exhausted by her stubbornness. ‘How about we start with why you’re sneaking around warehouses alone at sunset, following Ronan Kean, of all people?’

Lucy crosses her arms. ‘I saw an opportunity and took it.’

‘An opportunity to die.’ My voice rises despite my attempts to keep quiet. ‘Those men in the alley? That was nothing compared to what Ronan would do if he caught you snooping.’

‘You keep saying how dangerous they are.’ She steps closer, her blue eyes piercing through me. ‘But that only makes me more certain there’s something worth uncovering. Normal businessmen don’t have people murdered for asking questions.’

I grip her shoulders, fighting the urge to shake some sense into her. ‘Fucking hell, Lucy, surely, you know enough about the Keans to know they’re not normal businessmen. They’re not even normal criminals. They’re monsters. They destroy everything they touch.’

‘Then help me expose them.’ Her hand lands on my chest, and my heart skips. ‘You’re clearly investigating them too. We could work together⁠—’

‘No.’ I step back, breaking contact. ‘Absolutely not.’

‘Why?’

‘Because I won’t be responsible for getting you killed!’ The words echo off the brick walls. I lower my voice. ‘You have no idea what these people are capable of. The things I’ve seen them do…’ The images of my family’s charred home and the burnt bones of my parents fill my head.

Lucy’s expression softens, but her jaw remains set. ‘I’m not stopping. With or without your help, I’m going to find out what happened ten years ago when they took power. Someone needs to hold them accountable.’

“And you think you can do what the police haven’t been able to do, the FBI can’t do?”

“Yes. Maybe.”

‘You’re going to get yourself killed,’ I repeat, softer this time.

‘Maybe.’ She lifts her chin. ‘But at least I’ll die trying to do something that matters.’

I drag my hand down my face, the stubble rough against my palm. This woman is going to be the death of me, as well as herself. But her determination burns bright in those blue eyes, and I recognize that look. It’s the same one I see in the mirror every morning.

‘Fine.’ The word comes out like gravel. ‘You want to keep digging? Then we do this my way.’

Lucy’s eyes narrow. ‘What does that mean?’

‘It means you don’t go anywhere near the Keans or their business without me.’ I step closer, letting her see how serious I am. ‘No more solo missions. No more following people into warehouses or alleys. You want to investigate? I’m your shadow.’

‘That’s not⁠—”

‘Non-negotiable.’ My tone leaves no room for argument. ‘Either you let me protect you, or I’ll make sure every lead you chase turns into a dead end.’

She studies me for a long moment, probably weighing how much trouble I could actually cause her investigation.

Finally, she nods. ‘Alright. Partners, then?’

The word sends an unexpected jolt through me. Partners. It’s both more and less than what I want, but it’s the best compromise I’m likely to get.

‘Partners,’ I agree, trying to ignore how right it feels to say it. ‘You follow my lead on security. No arguments.’

‘Deal.’ She holds out her hand, and I take it. Her skin is soft, and I have to force myself to let go.

I focus on the relief I feel that I can keep an eye on her properly. But irritation follows close behind. I want her as far from this mess as possible, and instead, I’ve just signed up to escort her right into the thick of it.

‘You look like you’re getting a tooth pulled,’ Lucy says, a hint of amusement in her voice.

‘Just wondering what I’ve gotten myself into.’

She grins, and damn if it doesn’t make my insides light up. ‘Don’t worry. I’m actually a pretty good partner when I’m not being kidnapped or stalked.’

I don’t want to hang around the area too long, so I suggest we go to her place. She hesitates, perhaps worried about my intentions, but I guess she decides I’m okay.

Once in her place, I act like I’m seeing it for the first time, but I’m rethinking coming because my brain fills with the image of her in the tub touching herself. I’ve got to get my head in the game.

‘There’s a fight coming up. Underground boxing match,’ I tell her as I sit on her couch, which is infinitely more comfortable than mine. ‘Kean’s men run it. I’ve been working my way up the ranks, building a reputation.’

Lucy pulls out her phone and begins tapping away.

“What are you doing?” Am I too boring and she’s answering her email?

She looks up at me. “Taking notes.”

I place my hand over the phone, pushing it down. ‘No notes.’

She frowns but tucks it away. ‘What’s my role in this?’

‘While I’m in the ring, I need you to listen. I’m looking for someone who is loyal to the Keans but worked for or was close to a family named Ifrinn.”

Her brows shoot up. “Ifrinn. The family killed in the house fire probably set by the Keans?”

I nod, though I’m not surprised she made the connection. I’m sure most people, including the police, believe the fire was set by Hampton Kean’s men, but without proof, there’s nothing that can be done. Of course, legal justice and Ifrinn justice are two different things. My brothers and I can exact justice outside a court of law.

“This person was part of launching the Kean’s rise in power. But Lucy, you’re there to listen only. No questions, no digging. These people don’t take kindly to curiosity.’

She purses her lips, clearly not liking me telling her how to do her job. ‘And if I hear something?’

“For God’s sake, don’t pull out your phone and take notes. Just remember it and we’ll connect later.”

This time, her jaw tightens. ‘When’s the fight?’

‘Saturday. Ten PM. I’ll pick you up around nine thirty.” I make eye contact to have her full attention. ‘You are clear, aren’t you, that when you’re there, you’re not Lucy the journalist? You can come as a rich kid looking for a thrill or as my girl, but you cannot start asking questions about the Keans. No playing detective.’

Her lips part to protest, but I cut her off. ‘I mean it, Lucy. One wrong question to the wrong person and…’ I don’t want to mention the alley or the warehouse. I’m not sure my heart can take the continued stress from worrying about her.

‘Fine.’ She crosses her arms. ‘Just listening. I got it.’

But I see that glint in her eye, the same one she had following O’Brian into the alley. My stomach knots. Getting her involved is a mistake. If anything happens to her because of me…

‘Hey.’ She touches my arm, jolting me from my thoughts. ‘I’ll be careful. Promise.’

I cover her hand with mine before I can stop myself. ‘You have to understand. These people… If they catch on to what we’re doing…” The image of her bleeding in that alley flashes through my mind again. Only this time, I’m not there to save her. The thought makes me sick.

“I understand, Flynn.” This time her eyes are soft, reassuring. “I’ll be careful.”

‘I won’t let anything happen to you.’ The words come out fiercer than intended. ‘But you have to trust me. Follow my lead. No improvising, no going off-script.’

She studies my face. ‘You really are worried about me, aren’t you?’

I pull my hand back, not liking how vulnerable I’m starting to feel. ‘I’m worried about my operation getting blown because you can’t control your curiosity.’

It’s a lie, and from her small smile, I think she knows it. But she lets me have it, nodding seriously. ‘Understood. Bored party girl, not investigative reporter. I can play that part.’

I feel like I need to give her more to keep her safe. Something so she can protect herself if I can’t reach her.

“Do you know self-defense?” I ask.

“I took a course in college.”

“How about a refresher?” I rise and move to a small open space in her living area.

She joins me, and I give her a few tips on how to defend herself. She’s intent, her brow furrowed as she follows my instructions. She moves through the basic defensive stance I showed her. Her feet are too close together. One solid push would topple her.

‘Wider base,’ I say, stepping behind her. My hands find her hips, adjusting her stance. The heat of her body radiates around mine, and of course, my dick responds. I try to ignore it. ‘Like this.’

Her breath catches as I nudge her feet apart with my boot. I’m too close, breathing in the vanilla lavender scent of her. Images from the other night flash unbidden, Lucy in her bathtub, head thrown back as she brought herself to orgasm, my name on her lips.

I clear my throat and step back.

‘Now show me how to break that hold you used earlier,’ she says, her voice slightly breathless.

I give my head a shake as if that will rid it of my dirty thoughts. ‘Right. When someone grabs you from behind…” I demonstrate the position, wrapping my arm around her waist from behind, careful to keep space between our bodies. ‘You want to create distance first.’

Lucy nods, but instead of executing the move, she leans back against my chest.

Christ. My grip tightens involuntarily. ‘That’s… that’s the opposite of what you want to do.’

She turns her head, looking up at me through her lashes, her cheeks flushed with pink. “Oh… right. Sorry.”

But she doesn’t move. And I don’t either. Because what I really want to do is kiss her. I burn with the need to taste her, to be the one touching her and making her come. For my name, Flint, not Flynn, to escape her lips as I bring her pleasure.

“Are you trying to beat me off by distracting me?” I ask, embarrassed by how rough and needy my voice sounds.

She clears her throat and starts to move away, but I keep her close, turning her toward me.

‘We… we should focus on the mission. On bringing down the Keans.’

‘Is that what you were focusing on the other night?’ The words slip out before I can stop them.

Her brow furrows in confusion. ‘What?’

Shit. Fuck. I nearly revealed that I’d seen her in the tub. “You accused me of following you, but I think you’re following me. Am I your story, Lucy, or perhaps you’re ready for that date?” I lean closer, my lips a breath from hers.

Lucy’s eyes flutter closed, her body swaying toward mine. ‘We need to focus on the investigation.”

‘The investigation can wait.’ My hand cups her jaw, tilting her face up. ‘Just for a moment.’

For a moment, I think she’s going to kiss me, but then she pulls back. “We shouldn’t mix business with… whatever this is.’

The rejection stings, even though I know she’s right. I take a step back. The space between us feels like miles.

‘Right.’ I run a hand through my hair. ‘Just business, then.’

But the way she’s looking at me suggests she feels the pull like I do. It’s clear that this thing between us isn’t going away, no matter how much we try to ignore it.