Undercover Love (Draft 1)

Chapter Eighteen

I slowly open my eyes, the first thing I see is Liam's intense gaze fixed on his phone. His voice is low and menacing, sending shivers down my spine. "Who the fuck raided it? I want names!" he growls, his grip on the phone tightening. I can feel his chest rumbling beneath me as he speaks, and I realize that I'm lying on top of him, our legs intertwined.

          As I try to sit up, Liam's hand runs through my hair gently, even as he deals with whatever crisis is unfolding on the other end of the line. His touch is gentle yet possessive, and I can't help but feel a sense of safety and security in his arms.

          But as he continues to speak in hushed tones, his words becoming more urgent by the second, I can't help but feel a sense of dread creeping up inside me. What could be so important that it would wake us up in the middle of the night?

          "Get it to me in the next hour." Liam grits out as he hangs up the phone and turns to face me, his expression is grim. "Someone's raided one of the warehouses and taken everything." His shoulders are tense as he throws his phone to the side with a stressed groan.

          "What was taken?" I ask tentatively, running a finger soothingly between his pecs. "Is there anything I can do?"

          He let's out a shaky sigh before gently raising himself up, causing me slide off of him and back onto the mattress. He looks down at me and his eyes soften into a smile. "I like seeing you like that," he whispers, leaning over me and placing a gentle kiss on my head. "You look beautiful laid out beneath me, shirtless and satisfied." He smirks before standing off the bed. 

          I can't stop my eyes from leisurely strolling down his body. The way his muscles ripple with every movement, the bold lines of his tattoos against his tanned skin, the imprint of his growing bulge beneath the material of his boxers.

          I shouldn't be proud that I make his body react that way, but it's hard not to enjoy it when I've been so undesirable for so long.

          "You didn't answer my questions." I remind him, sitting up and bringing the covers up to my chin, basking in the residual heat from where he laid.

          His shoulders tense once again before he turns back to face me from the doorway. "They stole a shipment of guns. And the only thing you can do to help is be here when I get home. Seeing your face makes everything better." He smiles at me, eyes sparkling.

          I try my hardest to keep the blush off my face as his sweet words cascade over me. I nod my head at him, offering him my own smile in return.

          "I'll be home in a couple of hours. Enzo will be staying home, so go to him if you need anything." He says, giving me a longing look before finally walking out of my room and shutting the door softly behind him.

          Not wanting to waste anymore time, I jump up from the bed and rush to lock the door behind him. I can't risk Enzo trying to enter my room while I call Thorpe.

          I pace back and forth in my room, my mind is racing with conflicting thoughts. On one hand, I know it's my duty to report everything that happens in this house to Thorpe. But on the other hand, what if we were wrong? What if Liam isn't the enemy? What if all of the bodies we found were the real 'bad guys'?

          I can't help but feel a sense of dread wash over me as I think about the consequences of my actions. If I tell Thorpe everything, I'd be doing my job like a good little agent, but I'd be an accomplice in allowing the hidden threats to continue their rule over the city. But if I don't tell him, I could be putting myself in danger and potentially becoming the FBI's next target.

          I take a deep breath and try to calm myself down. Maybe there's another way. Maybe I can gather more information before making a decision. But how do I do that without raising suspicion?

          As I sit down on the edge of my bed, I realize that time is running out. The longer I wait, the more dangerous the situation becomes. But what if I'm making a mistake? What if Liam was lying and Mr Thames and the other victims were actually innocent?

          I shake my head and try to clear my thoughts. I was there last night. I heard Mr Thames confess to being involved with sex trafficking. He was not innocent. But does that mean that the other's weren't innocent too?

          I need to make a decision and stick with it.

          With a determined look on my face, I reach for my phone and dial Thorpe's number. As it rings, my heart races with anticipation and fear. What will he say? Will he believe me?

          "Jackson, what do you have for me?" Thorpe's voice sounds distant and muffled through the phone.

          "Thorpe," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "Here's everything I've got so far."

---

          I couldn't tell him everything.

          I tried to - God I tried - but every time I opened my mouth to tell him about what I'd witnessed the night before, the words got stuck in my throat. 

          If I had told him everything, I would have had to tell him how the hands that killed Mr Thames, were the same hands that had been used to make me come harder than I had ever thought possible.

          The rumbling of my stomach pulls me out of my confusion and I decide it's time to raid the Amato's pantry.

          I bound down the stairs, basking in the silence of the house as I move through each floor. Liam had told me that Enzo would be staying in the house while the others were out, but there was no sign of him so far.

          Probably for the better - I have no idea where I stand with that man.

          Strolling into the kitchen, my peace is immediately cut short. Standing there, all brooding and grumbly as always, is Enzo.

          "Good afternoon." I greet him, attempting to at least gain some of his attention. It sort-of works, him offering me a grunt in return.

          "You sided with me last night. And now you're going back to being all silent and grumpy? I thought you were going to be my new bestie." I pout at him, teasingly. "Don't tell Matteo or Ryder that I said that, I think they'd kill me."

          "I might just kill you. Haven't decided yet." He replies, rolling his eyes and attempting to move past me.

          Food long forgotten, I block his escape. "Fancy telling me why you hate me so much?" I cross my arms and cock my brow at him, questioningly.

          "Nope." He shrugs, attempting to go around me once again.

          "I'm sorry. I made that sound like you had a choice in the matter. Why the fuck do you hate me, Enzo. I've never met you before and you barely spoke to me when Liam introduced me to the guys. Do you have some sort of crush on Liam or something? If you want him, you're totally welcome to have him. I wont get in the way." I dig at him, knowing damn well that a part of me one-hundred percent would put up a fight if Enzo actually wanted Liam.

          Why? Hell if I know. 

          "No, I don't have a crush on Liam, stronza. You just remind me of someone that I'd rather not think about," He growls out, looking at me like I was stupid for even suggesting that he'd see Liam that way. "That good enough for you?" He bites out.

          I don't know why I care, but something in my chest tugs at the quick flash of pain in his chocolate eyes when he speaks. "Who do I remind you of, Enzo?" I ask, my tone softening.

          He looks genuinely shocked by my attitude change and I can tell that he's contemplating how he's going to push past and get as far away from me as possible.

          "My sister."

          Now it's my turn to be surprised.