Warmth blooms around my heart at the sound of his voice and the words he’s speaking. How long has it been since anyone but Keira has worried about me doing anything?
I slide the mascara wand back in the tube and set it in my makeup bag before meeting him outside the bathroom.
His hands go to my waist, pulling me against him in a way I love. Moses is a tactile guy, and I adore how he always wants to have his hands on me. Have me close to him. Every time I get near, I want to soak up his body heat. He’s potent, that’s for damn sure.
“Don’t think like that,” I tell him quietly, tilting up to kiss his jaw. “Because I’m still here. You’re still here. We’re both fine. Whatever happened to either of us in the past is just that—in the past. Tonight, you probably won’t even need me, but I’m going all the same because you’re doing this for me. What kind of woman—no, what kind of partner—would I be if I just sat back and let you do all the work?”
“The kind who stays safe so I don’t have to worry,” he says, his voice low as he angles his head to nibble along my jawline.
“You’re saying you’d be fine leaving me here by myself while the three of you go to the impound lot? You wouldn’t be worried about me being here all alone? Because I don’t believe that either.” I poke a finger into his chest, and he pulls back.
Moses’s mouth flattens into a line, but even now, I can see I’ve got him as the corners threaten to turn up.
“You know I’m right. You wouldn’t be too keen on leaving me alone and unprotected either. I see it on your face.”
His big hand comes up, and his thumb strokes along my jaw before burying in my hair. “How the hell do you know me so well again, already?” The words come out before he presses a kiss to my lips.
“Because I know you,” I say with a smile.
He moves in to pair our mouths. “Shut up and kiss me, woman. You win. I’ll quit fucking worrying.”
My giggle is smothered by the taste of Moses, and my entire body lights up, ready for him, even after a single kiss. When he lifts his head, I read the desire on his face too. We spark each other to life with no effort at all.
Moses must see it on my face too. “Hold that thought, mama. When we get back, I’m spending all night inside you.”
“Damn right you are,” I tell him, rolling my hips to grind my clit on his thigh while we’re standing there. “I just don’t want to wait.”
Both his hands drop to my waist and squeeze, setting me back a step from him. “After this is done, and you’re home safe.”
His genuine concern settles over me, and I love how it feels. “You bribing me with sex to stay out of trouble?” I ask, my eyebrows tugging upward.
“Fucking right I am, if that’s the incentive you need. Is it working?”
I burst out laughing. “You’re something else, Moby. Now, let me finish getting dressed, and I’ll be ready to rock.”
He checks his watch. “We have forty-five minutes before we should leave. Take your time, mama. The boys and I’ll be waiting for you.”
He gives me a firm kiss, and I watch him walk out of the bedroom.
Damn, the ass on that man ought to be illegal. Then I remember something that makes me smile. It’s all mine.
I slip back into the bathroom and finish my war paint.
We’re getting answers tonight. I can feel it. Because I’m done living in fear. It’s time for this bloodthirsty motherfucker to go down.
Eight
Moses
When Magnolia walks out into the living room, all ready to go, I want to march her right back to the bedroom and lock her inside.
Jules whistles. “Damn, woman. Talk about a diversion. Shit.”
“Nice,” Trey says, clapping as well as he can with his computer tucked under his arm.
I drag my gaze from the toes of her stilettos, up her mile-long bare legs, to the green dress she’s got on, hugging every damn curve. She’s sexy as fuck, showing just enough skin to make a man realize all she’s got to offer, but the dress covers plenty of her and leaves you wanting more.
I close the distance between us wordlessly.
“I’m ready,” she says with ruby-slicked lips.
I can’t help but want them wrapped around my cock. Blood pumps south, and my dick comes to life. I drag my attention away from that pouty mouth to her whiskey-colored eyes.
“You’re fucking gorgeous. I want to wrap you in a trash bag so no one, especially not some nosy cop, gets a chance to see my woman looking sexy as fuck.”
Instead of frowning at me, Magnolia’s lips curve into the most devastating smile I’ve ever seen on her face. Her eyes sparkle, and she leans toward me. “I’d be just as sexy in a trash bag. Deal with it, Moby.”
Her confident words make a chuckle spill from my lips. “Goddamn, you’re right, and I know it.” Losing the smile, I cup her shoulders with my palms. “But you gotta promise me something.”
She cocks her gorgeous head to one side. “What?”
“You’re a last resort. Jules and I are totally capable of doing this by ourselves. You only get out of the car if we’re about to get caught in the act. Understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
God, I love hearing her say shit like that, and I can’t find any words before she speaks again.
“I’ll be fine. It ain’t like I’m going to go work a corner. Now that would be dangerous. So just have a little faith, Moby. It’s all gonna be right as rain. Tonight, we’re making progress.” She brings her purse between us and flips it open to check inside. When she snaps it shut, she adds, “I’m all set. You guys good to go?”
I’ve been managed by a pro, and I can’t find it in me to mind.
“Yeah, mama. We’re ready.”
All four of us load up into the SUV and head over to Claiborne and the impound lot. Jules is driving, and Trey has his laptop out and is typing away behind him. I’m in the passenger seat with Magnolia behind me, and it’s quiet on the ride over.
We drive under the highway, and Jules takes us in a slow loop around the lot. “Okay, so they’ve got at least one cop who should be acting as security. But it looks like he’s MIA right now.”
“That’s a good sign, right?” Magnolia asks.
“Good enough,” I reply, glancing into the back seat. “But it also means we don’t know where he’s at or when he’s coming back. So we’ll need to work fast.”
“If you give me a few more minutes, I’ll be ready to cut the cameras. I’m pulling them all up right now. And the Mustang is in spot 117. So . . .” Trey’s keyboard clacks as he does his thing. “Actually, do another loop around the other block and come back and park on the far corner. It’s darker over there. You should be pretty close to the car that way, and hopefully no one will even notice any of us.”
“I’m on it,” Jules says, stopping at a corner and flipping on the blinker. Cop cars are parked in front of the squatty brown building where errant law-abiding citizens are supposed to go to pay their fines and get their keys. But we aren’t those people and haven’t been for a long damn time.