Free Dirty Money (Bad Money #2) by Ali Parker

her any more. Pressing his fingers carefully to her lower back, he moved with her toward the large red-brick house. As long as Victor didn't require them to live with him, Marcus would be good. Seth had tried to pull that shit when he first took over, but Marcus had talked him out of it. A lack of trust would always cause the biggest bully to look for a means of watching over his subjects. This dick was no different.
    The door opened as they approached and Victor smiled. "Good to see you both. Jon is already here, so this should be a rather quick meeting."
    "I don't see the point in Jon being here seeing that you've decided to give him his walking papers." Kate moved into the house and walked toward the hall as if she had been to Victor's home a million times.
    Had she? Was she keeping information from him? No. This is what Victor wanted, to plant seeds of doubt between all of them. Why wouldn't he? It was brilliant and helped to break down the bond that he wasn't yet a part of.
    "Just a final farewell. Something to keep him completely away from us as we move forward." Victor winked at Marcus.
    "Why don't I like the sound of that?" Marcus asked and moved toward the only open door in the hallway as Kate disappeared into it. Jon stood by the fireplace in the office, his appearance haggard. He had been drinking again no doubt.
    "Take a seat and let's make this quick." Victor nodded to the two couches in the center of the room before taking Kate's hand in his. Marcus moved to the far couch before seeking Kate's expression. Why would she be willing to hold Victor's hand? Had part of the decision to let Jon go meant that Kate would be fully available to the asshole now?
    She sat beside him, her expressionless face causing Marcus's stomach to tighten. Victor sat close to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and brushing his fingers along the exposed skin of her shapely arm.
    "Let's talk quickly. I have plans tonight." Victor turned his gaze to Jon. "Come. Sit."
    "I'd rather not." Jon's voice was deadpan, the angry red vein pulsing on the side of his neck making it more than obvious that the cop was barely holding on.
    "There is a new shipment coming into port in LA later this week. We will be there to receive it. I have a few business meetings in the city, but most of the events will be more entertaining in style." He looked toward Kate, who turned and gave him her attention. "You'll be attending as my wife and will need to be by my side as I need you to."
    "Do you think that's really necessary? I've never known a room of dealers to be swayed one way or the other simply because of the appearance of a relationship." Kate stood, moving from him and walking toward the liquor cabinet near Jon.
    Marcus watched the poor cop stiffen, his eyes following her every move.
    He needed to get him out of here.
    "Is Jon going with us?" Marcus asked and crossed his hands over his stomach, clasping them and relaxing as best he could with the tension in the room.
    "No." Jon stood and moved toward the couch as Victor expressed the same response.
    "Actually, Jon won't be needed anymore. We'll simply look for another rat on the force." Victor shrugged and stood up, walking toward Kate. He paused behind her and slid his hands around her waist, leaning over to whisper something against her hair.
    Marcus moved to the edge of his seat as the hair stood up on the back of his neck.
    Why was he so concerned with whether the cop could handle anything happening between Kate and Victor?
    He should have been concerned about his damn self.

CHAPTER ELEVEN
    Kate
     
     
    Nothing he could do would surprise her. He was on the move to make it appear as if she had already crawled in bed with him, though she had yet to even take a step toward it. Victor leaned over as she stood quietly at the liquor cabinet and pressed his lips to her ear.
    "I accepted your offer to have you completely. Make sure you understand what that means before we seal the deal."
    Kate turned