Free Weston by Debra Kayn Page A

She would call the shots, and he would take direction from her. Besides, she couldn’t have her mom fluttering her hand in his direction because he had a killer dimple in his left cheek. She was distracted enough without Tony pulling her thoughts from the problem they had on their hands right now.
    “My mom needs to know the truth,” she said.
    He hooked her neck and pulled her forward. “In time.”
    His other hand went around her, low on her back, and pressed her against him. She shivered at the close contact. He’d touched her a lot since she’d broken into his house.
    “What are you doing?” she said.
    He stroked the side of her neck with his thumb. “Holding you.”
    “I can feel that.” She sighed and let herself lean against him. “Why are you holding me?”
    “It’s nice,” he whispered. “Go with it, sweetheart.”
    Something was odd about a man who could think about sex at such a dangerous time. Their lives were at stake and he wanted to cuddle.
    “That’s the difference between you and me. I have to work. I have Darrell after me, and my mom is in danger. I can’t think about you or what you’re doing to me.” She looked away, trying to hide the fact that her body called her a liar. She loved the way it hummed when he touched her, and enjoyed leaning against him. He was tough, hard, and unyielding, and even through the stress of the situation, she was glad he was around.
    She stayed within his embrace, unable to think of any reason big or important enough to push him away. She’d never had anyone who knew exactly what she needed. Not wanted, not desired, not craved, but simply needed. Right now, she needed him to hold her and let her know that she wasn’t alone.
    “What exactly is Darrell’s plan for you?” he said.
    “I don’t know.” She inhaled deeply and pushed against his stomach, distancing herself. “He locked me in his house, and I thought about breaking out the window—”
    “Most people use the door,” he mumbled.
    “Yeah, well, my life seems to call for escapes…and enterings.” She gathered her hair at the back of her neck and gazed at him. “Luckily, I found a spare garage door opener in one of the drawers in the kitchen. I still had the keys in my purse for the Porsche, so I stole it. His men came after me, but I was able to out run them when I hit Market Street and the outlet mall.”
    “Shit,” he mumbled.
    “I have proof Darrell called the shots underground. I’ve witnessed him ordering a beating and talking about deliveries of crates while at the Crystal Palace. I have the names of two of his men who picked up the shipments from the docks, which I never saw the contents of, but I believe it was heroin. They brought in a tester before the exchange. I can identify both men as working for and taking their orders from Darrell.”
    “Why didn’t you leave when you had that much evidence?” Tony asked.
    “I stayed undercover because I wanted more on him. What I have isn’t enough to put him away for life. There are too many loopholes, and without solid evidence, they’d throw away the case. Darrell Archer is the only one I’m after.” She lifted her chin. “He’s the shark in the fishbowl…not the idiots he has working for him.”
    “Other men have tried and failed to take him down.” He sat down on the bed and braced his elbows on his knees. “You’ve succeeded in staying with him longer than anyone I’ve heard of, and he won’t stop until he gets rid of the threat. You.”
    “That’s why I came to you. I want to make sure Mom’s safe. But, she needs to know what we’re dealing with and placating her will only encourage her to rely on you. I don’t want her unprotected.” She dropped her hands to her side. “You have to understand. Mom lives in a world full of glitter and decent people. Her biggest problem right now is how to battle the aphids on her tomato plants. She’s a little…optimistic in her belief in other people. Somehow, I need