Chapter 3

Chapter 3

A week had gone by since the shoot out, and I had not heard one word from Rio or his crew. I had spoken with Connor, and he also had not heard from him. I had asked Ron at the bureau if they had eyes on anyone in the Detroit gang, and they couldn't locate them. They were officially freaking out. I couldn't go anywhere near the agency because Ron gave me strict orders to stay away, in case Rio was, in fact, watching me. It wouldn't surprise me. I could tell he didn't trust me. Which was odd considering he had his hand down my jeans just last week. I was infiltrating a fucking gang so that I couldn't be shocked. I did not disclose that fact to the bureau. That would get me instantly fired or at least taken off the case, and I didn't want that. While the hormonal woman in me wanted Rio in an unprofessional way, I still had my priorities somewhat in check.

It had officially been eight days since my last meeting with Rio, and I was getting antsy. What if he was dead? What if someone took out his entire crew? The thought made me shudder slightly. I decided to occupy myself by going for a run. I pulled on a pair of black leggings, a navy blue sports bra, and my black Nike running shoes. I put my long hair into a high ponytail and shoved my earbuds in. I turned on my favorite playlist and stretched my legs slightly before taking off towards a nearby park. I took in the fresh fall air and increased my speed. I was coming up to a fork in the path, and before I could even make a decision, Rio and two of his crew members cut me off. Rio stood in front of me, his hands in his jacket pockets.

"Hey, darlin'." He says, sounding calm as usual.

"Where have you been?" I asked, taking my earbuds out.

"Had some...complications. Took care of it, though. Hate to cut the run short, but we gotta talk." Rio says, raking his eyes down my body, as he has been known to do. His tone made my heart jump. Did he find out? Ron and the agency were surveilling the outside of my apartment. That would be my safest option.

"Not a problem. You guys wanna head back to my place?" I ask. Rio shrugs smugly.

"Works for us." He says, leading the way back to their black SUV. I got in the back while Rio got in the passenger seat. His goon by the name of Mick got in next to me. We made our way to my apartment building and headed inside. I set my earbuds and phone on the wooden kitchen island and headed to the fridge to grab a bottle of water.

"You guys want anything?" I asked, trying to get a better idea of whether or not I would get a bullet in my temple any moment. They all shake their heads no. Great. "So?" I ask while leaning against the concrete pillars stationed randomly in my loft-style apartment. Rio and Mick sat on the modern-style futon while the bigger guy stood by the kitchen island.

"What do you mean so? We gotta get this expansion goin'. I told your boy Connor I would get you to Jersey, so that's what I'm gonna do. But first, I need a favor from you. I need you to check up on some associates of mine. They are of the female variety, and I feel like they might chill more around you. They tend to get a little tense when Mick here posts outside their places, and my usual dude is...indisposed." Rio said, chuckling while Mick smiled. Who knew what that actually meant. I knew this little chore was just another tactic to ensure I was loyal to the game.

"You need me to babysit? Is that a joke?" I ask.

Rio laughs. "Nah, baby girl, one hundred percent serious. I need you to make sure they behave."

"Alright, so you're having me be your errand boy, basically? That's not why I came here." I said, standing my ground. Rio chuckles, and his boy walks to stand intimidatingly behind me, folding his arms and breathing his husky breath in my ear.

"I don't give a shit why you came here. While you're in my city, you work for me. Not Connor, not the Irish. Feel me, sweetheart?" Rio said, standing, Mick following. I smile.

"Fine. I need a time and address." I say, taking another drink from my water bottle. Suddenly I wondered if Rio had told his boys about our little encounter last week. I didn't know if he was that close to them or if it was strictly business.

"I'll send it to your burner," Mick said as they all started to leave. Mick and the big dude walked out first, and Rio stayed further behind. He put a hand on my stomach and whispered in my ear, "I'll see you later. We got a lot to set up." He said, his breath tickling my ear. He smirked and left the apartment. A few minutes later, I looked down at my burner phone, and sure enough.

Paper Porcupine 11pm

195 SE Main Street

Beth- Red hair, nice rack. Watch her.

My heart sunk. Rio wanted me to watch Beth Boland. He wanted me to watch her while she printed. I knew I would have to let Ron know. They were already keeping tabs on her and her friends. I dialed Ron's number and looked out my window to watch Rio and his crew drive away. Ron answered with a gruff hello, and I could tell he was stressing.

"Hey, it's me. He wants me to watch Beth Boland tonight. I guess just another initiation thing. I told him I would." I said.

"Okay. Under no circumstances can you tell Beth or any of them who you actually are." Ron reminded me.

"I understand. I will upload my notes ASAP." I said before hanging up. I was finally going to meet the famous Elizabeth, Ruby, and Annie. This would be interesting.

It was eleven p.m., my time to leave. I shoved on my skinny jeans, black high-heeled leather boots, and a black tank top. I shrugged on my leather jacket and grabbed my handgun along with my keys. I shoved my cell phone in my jean pocket and headed out the door. I pulled up to the stationary store and parked. When I knocked on the curtained door, a strawberry blonde answered.

"Oh, sorry, we're closed." She said, eyeing me. I recognized her. This was Beth Boland.

"Yeah, I know," I said as I moved past her. She started to protest.

"Excuse me..."

"Yeah, a friend of Rio's. Asked me to keep an eye on things." I said, looking around the store.

"Of course he did. Well, we're back here." Beth said, leading me to a back room.

"Cute store," I said nicely, chewing my gum.

"Thank you," Beth said, confused. We walk into the printing room, and I see Ruby and Annie.

"Guys, this is....sorry I didn't catch your name," Beth asked, turning to me.

"Andy," I said as I took a seat on one of the stools and crossed my legs.

"Hey, up high for 'A' chicks, huh?" Annie says, offering me a high five. I ignore it and smile. Her smile fades, and she lowers her hand.

"So, are you wanting a run-through or..." Ruby asks. Beth eyes her.

"Nope, you ladies do your thing, and I will just chill," I said, pulling out my phone and putting in my earbuds.

They all three nodded and continued working. About an hour later, I could hear them whispering.

"Have we seen her before?" Annie asks.

"I don't think so. I have actually never seen a female in his crew...she's pretty." Beth says, trying to sound unaffected.

"Um, are you jealous or something? Don't tell me you, ya know, with him again?!" Ruby asks Beth. Beth scoffs.

"No, I am just saying. She looks like his type. I am not 'into' him like that anymore. Not since Lucy..." Beth says in a lower tone. Little did they know I had excellent hearing. Wait...did I hear that right? Beth and Rio...hooked up? As I sat there processing what I heard and thought about when I would give Ron's intel, I realized I was angry.

When I got home, it was about three a.m. I was exhausted, but my mind wouldn't shut up, so I knew sleeping would be impossible. I grabbed a fifth whiskey and took a drink. Just then, a knock at the door. I open it and see Rio standing there, his hands now behind his back. I eye him with hostility and move aside so he can come in. I take off my jacket and bring the whiskey with me as I sit down on the futon.

"Late night drink, huh?" He asks, sitting in the chair across from the futon. I shrug.

"Yeah. May as well." I said, taking another drink.

"How are my printers doin'?" He asks, pulling out his phone.

"Oh, you mean the chick you were tapping? She is great." I say, taking another drink, starting to feel it. Rio looked up from his phone then laughed.

"Yeah, the chick I was tappin'." He shakes his head and laughs some more while looking down at his phone.

"I really think my efforts would be best spent on our expansion plans, not looking after one of your girlfriends," I say, only then realizing the jealousy in my tone. Rio smiles at me.

"Wait." He laughs. "Are you...are you jealous?" Rio asks in a menacing tone.

"Why in the fuck would I be jealous?" I say, standing up, the bottle still in hand. Rio stands in front of me. "If lonely soccer moms are what you're into, no one here is stopping you," I said, taking another drink.

"Yeah, soccer moms are good..." He says as he moves around the coffee table and stands directly in front of me. He takes the whiskey bottle and puts it down on the table. I look up at him and see nothing but pure lust in his eyes. "But fiesty female gangsters are even better." He says, inching his lips towards mine. I so desperately wanted to push him away. This was bad. I couldn't be doing this. But holy fuck did I want to. Before I could stop myself, the whiskey overtook me, and I crashed my lips to his. He wrapped his long arms around my waist and pulled me in as close as possible. I snaked my fingers around his neck and let his tongue into my mouth. He tasted so damn good. He backed me up until I was flush with my mid-century console table. He lifted me with ease and set me on top of it while I started unbuttoning his black shirt. He shrugs it off, not breaking contact with my lips, and throws it on the ground. He puts his hands on either side of my face and continues to assault my mouth with his. He lifts my shirt over my head and discards it. Before I can think, he reaches down and unbuttons my jeans. I lifted myself slightly so he could peel them off of me. Once he completed his task, he ripped my black lace panties off with one swift motion and reached behind me, and tore at my bra clasp. I started working on his belt and jeans, and within seconds, he was inside of me. I was completely consumed. I wasn't thinking about the things I should have been thinking about. All I could do was moan and scratch at his back. Rio lifted my right leg, so my knee was next to my face.

I bit down on my lower lip as Rio kissed and bit at my neck. He felt so damn good. I couldn't tell him to stop even if I wanted him to. He reached his hand back up to my jaw and held my face in place as he sucked on my lower lip. As he pounded into me, the knick-knacks on my table were falling over and onto the floor, breaking into pieces. Just then, It just made me climax even harder somehow. I could feel Rio tensing up as I held onto him, and before I knew it, he groaned into my neck. I could feel him let go and spill into me. Breathing heavily onto me, he brought his eyes up to mine and looked at me with satisfaction. He smiled and gave me a quick deep kiss. He separated himself from me and pulled his pants up. I swiftly got up off the table and headed over to the dresser on the other side of the loft to get a new pair of panties. I pulled out a pair of navy lace booty shorts and pulled them on along with a plain white tank top. When I came back out of the living area, Rio was buttoning up his shirt. I sat down on the futon and leaned back. The air felt awkward and the only way I knew how to break that kind of tension was to change the subject.

"So...when are you sending me to Jersey?" I asked. Rio looks at me with surprise and a bit of humor as he smirks.

"Tomorrow night. Mick is going with you." He stated as he leaned against the kitchen counter. I eyed him suspiciously.

"I don't need a babysitter. I have closed deals on my own plenty of times." I said, putting my legs on the table in front of me. Rio smiled.

"Oh, no doubt. I just want to make sure no one messes with you. Those Jersey boys don't fuck around. Better safe than sorry." He said as he came walking over the futon. I folded my arms and refused to look at him due to some serious pouting. "Don't worry, darlin'. I know you can handle yourself. Just gives me peace of mind." He says before leaning down. "Gotta make sure I get that fine ass of yours back to me in one piece." He says before kissing me. He lets go and smiles before heading out of the apartment. I smile but then suddenly snap myself out of it. I just fucked Leo Christopher Torres. One of the most dangerous thugs in the country. I was in deep now. No going back. The oath I had taken years ago, swearing to protect the common good to the best of my ability, just went out the fucking window.