I reflected her indignation right back at her. “Are you seriously sitting there expecting me to let you report it? If I’ve learned anything from living with you, it’s that the criminal justice system in this country is bullshit. Bruce has been getting away with murder for decades. What makes you think that’s going to stop now? Don’t you think hundreds of people have gone to the police about him over the years? And has any of it worked? No. We need to beat him at his own game.”
Karla slumped back into the couch, giving up. “Sometimes I don’t even know why I bother with this job.”
I came forward and squeezed her shoulder. “You do it because you’re a good person who wants to help those who need it. It’s not your fault the system is corrupt.”
She shook her head. “I just don’t understand why you’re trusting Lee.”
“I’m trusting him because he’s got an in. And yes, he might not technically live his life on the right side of the law, but he’s a decent person. He’s got a good heart, and when it comes down to it, he’d never intentionally hurt someone. He’s not like Bruce.”
Karla eyed me speculatively. “You seem very sure about him.”
“I spent a lot of time around him when Stu and I were together. He might not make his money in a legit manner, but I’ve seen him use it to take care of his family. He even buys food for the kids next door whose junkie parents aren’t fit to care for them,” I told her. “So yeah, he’s not perfect, but he’s not a bad person, either.”
Her expression softened for a brief moment before she gave me a sober nod and returned her attention to the TV. I could tell she still wasn’t entirely happy with the situation, but she also wasn’t going to continue protesting.
I’d just changed into a light T-shirt and some leggings when a knock sounded at the door. I called to Karla that I’d answer it, and then hurried to let King in. He’d changed out of the suit he’d been wearing earlier and now wore jeans, a T-shirt, and a khaki jacket. I swear, even with the current circumstances, the sight of him made my heart speed up.
“Hey,” I greeted him quietly, giving him a tentative smile.
“Alexis,” he said, and bent down to press a kiss on my lips. I could practically feel Karla’s eyes bugging out of her head, because I knew she had to be watching us. I hadn’t yet had the chance to fully explain my relationship with King to her, but I imagined she’d put two and two together. We hadn’t had sex in almost two days, and despite everything that was going on, my body longed for his touch. It felt like for the rest of my life, I was always just going to want more of him.
I stroked a hand down his arm before lacing my fingers with his. “How are you feeling?”
“Worried, stressed.” He bent down to whisper the last part in my ear, “Horny.”
A shiver trickled along the back of my neck as I tried to resist the urge to drag him into my bedroom. Instead, I led him over to the couch and introduced him to Karla.
“This is Karla, my roommate and BFF. I’ve already filled her in on the situation. Karla, this is Oliver, my eh, uh….”
“Your boss?” she finished for me, arching a brow.
I frowned at her. “Yeah, my boss.”
Before the conversation could continue, there was another knock at the door. I went to answer it and was met by not just Lee, but his brother, too. Yeah, that’s right, my ex had decided to tag along. Sometimes I wished I had a butler to answer my door and inform visitors on my behalf, I’m sorry, but not today.
Why the hell was he here? My first words voiced that very same sentiment as the two men stepped inside without even waiting to be invited.
“Uh, why is Stu here?” I asked, gesturing wildly.
Lee shot me a grin. “He’s my muscle.”
“As far as I can see, you’ve got enough muscle of your own,” I shot back.
“Ah, yeah, but you know society’s a bitch. Ya have to be a tall bastard for people to be afraid of ya these days. They don’t realise us little guys are quicker on our toes.” He paused, eyes darting across the room to give Karla a wink. “Plus, we have the advantage of a lower centre of gravity.”
Lee wasn’t exactly little, but I got where he was coming from. My ex was well over six feet, the big dumb oaf. I had to resist the urge to laugh when Stu gave his brother a vacant stare at his mention of “a lower centre of gravity.”
“How’s it going, Lex?” said Stu as his attention came to rest on me, his eyes doing a quick sweep of my body.
“It’ll be going a lot better when you piss off out of here. None of this concerns you.”
Lee held up a hand. “Now, now, don’t go getting your knickers in a twist, Clarky. You called me asking for help. I was kind enough to answer, but if you want me to stick around, you’ll have to deal with my brother being here, too.” His voice was hard and broached no further argument. In the next second, King was beside me, introducing himself.
“We haven’t yet had the pleasure,” he said urbanely. “My name is Oliver.”
Lee gave him a quick once-over before glancing at me, his lips twitching in amusement. “Bagged yourself a posh bastard, did ya?” He nudged his brother with his elbow. “She’s moving up in the world.”
“Don’t be an arsehole,” said Karla in an annoyed tone.
Lee seemed to enjoy her barb. “I’ll never be an arsehole to you, Snap. In fact,” he went on, his voice lowering, “I’ll be so fucking pleasant, you’ll never want me to leave.”
Karla rolled her eyes, not bothering to retort. I noticed Stu was now eyeballing King, and I didn’t like the angry slant to his mouth. Jesus, all of this would have gone so much more smoothly if Lee had just left his brother at home. Stu flicked his gaze between me and King.
“You together?”
My posture grew stiff. “And if we are?”
Stu snorted. “If you are, it’s a fucking joke.”
King, who was silently observing the exchange, spoke up, seeming unthreatened by Stu’s presence. “I believe we have more important matters to discuss.”
“Yeah, we do,” said Stu. “Like how you’re trying to take what’s mine.”
Oh, for Christ’s sake. I cast Lee a pleading look while King stared emotionlessly at my ex. Deciding to be less of a prick, Lee nodded to the door. “Eh, Stu, go wait for me outside. Make sure no one tries to come into the flat.”
Stu didn’t look happy about his brother’s order, but he did as he was told all the same. Between the two of them, it was clear who the alpha was. As soon as Stu left, I finally felt like I could breathe. I sent King an apologetic look as he leaned in and whispered, “An old flame of yours?”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
“He wants you back.”
“Well, he can go on wanting.”
“I didn’t like the way he looked at you,” he went on, and the dark note in his voice made me shiver. I pressed a kiss to the underside of his jaw.
“It doesn’t matter.” I paused to eye him meaningfully. “He’s my past.” I left the second part unspoken. You’re my future. If his satisfied expression was anything to go by, he caught my meaning. Turning, I found Lee had plopped himself down on the sofa beside Karla and was sitting a little too close. She shifted away, being none too subtle about putting distance between them.
“Oh, Snap,” he chuckled. “It’s so funny how you want me.”
Karla bristled. “Don’t call me Snap.”
“You don’t like it? It’s short for Gingersnap. I thought you’d appreciate my creative efforts and shit.”
“Well, I don’t. Go focus your creativity elsewhere. In fact, pretend I don’t exist.”
He shot her a heated look, his eyes trailing slowly down her body.
“Sorry, can’t do that,” Lee whispered quietly. Karla took a deep breath, as though summoning the willpower not to slap him. I felt bad for subjecting her to Lee, but I needed her there for moral support.