Up in Smoke Page 9

  “Hot damn.”

  She shrugged one shoulder. “I was paid. I couldn’t give two shits who’s banging who. Just needed to pay my rent.”

  Erin nodded once. “Did they go down, too?”

  “Who? The vice president? You’ll have to ask his mistress.”

  Her mouth curved into a smile. She’d thought company was the last thing she wanted this morning. She’d been looking for space. Room to think. But talking to Polly wasn’t half bad, either. Considering she didn’t have a single friend to speak of, nor had she ever wanted one, that realization was surprising. “No. The person who paid you. Did they do time?”

  Polly shook her head. “Uh-uh. Just little ol’ me. Three cheers for our evil justice system.”

  “I’ll drink to that. The evil part, anyway.” Erin took a healthy swallow of coffee, sighing in appreciation as it warmed a path all the way to her stomach. “The coffee isn’t shit, either.”

  The other girl leaned forward. “Hey, I’ve been meaning to ask you…how did you escape Dade Correctional? From what I’ve read, security in that place is tighter than a duck’s ass. But there’s no details about your method of escape anywhere.”

  Erin felt a tingling in her spine. “How did you know I was in Dade?”

  Polly stared into her coffee cup. “I collect information. It’s something I do without thinking.” She brushed her short black hair away from her face. “Sometimes I forget people see it as a violation.”

  Erin wasn’t sure how to feel. It’s not as if she ever held back when someone asked her what she’d done to get prison time. Armed robbery. That one time she’d set a police car on fire. Most of her past was an open book. It was the other, more personal remnants of her past that weren’t open for discussion. Except maybe with the voices in her head. Things that weren’t part of public record. No, there was something else causing the tingling that had moved to the back of her neck. Other people taking an interest in her, asking questions because they were curious, not because they wanted to interrogate. That had seldom, if ever, happened in her life. Yet in the last forty-eight hours, two people had tried to get to know her better.

  It made her feel…significant.

  She picked up a spoon and ran the smooth metal down her cheek. “First time was a cakewalk. Dade staff wears these green scrubs, like a light olive color. Ugly as sin. Ours were white.” When Polly nodded with interest, Erin had the insane urge to smile. “One afternoon, I pocketed a green highlighter from the library cart. I broke it open and dyed my scrubs green.”

  Polly’s gaze widened. “Don’t tell me…”

  “I almost didn’t pull it off. My hair was still pink, so I needed a way to hide it.” She tapped the spoon against her head. “The girl in the cell beside mine had a Marlins baseball cap. Wasn’t supposed to, but her son had sneaked it in for her birthday. She gave me the hat in exchange for buying her son Marlins tickets if I made it out.” Her throat tightened at the memory, so she cleared it. “The next day, I was on the schedule to work in the laundry room. We’d sort the clothes, then they were driven off-site to be cleaned. One of the wardens liked to get in my face a lot. Princess this, princess that. Anyway, I unclipped her pass from her belt and waited for her to take a bathroom break. I knew I’d have about four minutes to change into the green scrubs and pile my hair under the cap. I did it in one. Then I hopped into the laundry truck and drove straight out of that motherfucker. Ditched the truck a mile from the prison and ran for it.”

  “Unbelievable.”

  “Yes, I am.”

  Polly tapped a fingernail against her front tooth. “What about the second time?”

  Erin’s stomach lurched. The room went unfocused around her. She fumbled for the matches in her pocket and lit the paper place mat on fire, sucking in the acrid smell with a greedy inhale. When Polly put it out by dumping a glass of water over the flame, Erin frowned. “Second time wasn’t as easy.”

  “No, I don’t expect it would be after they knew what you could do.” Polly watched her closely as seconds ticked by. “Did you buy that kid Marlins tickets?”

  “Sure did. Took his thirteen-year-old ass to Hooters afterward and everything.” She circled the rim of her coffee cup with her middle finger. “Being out in the open that day is how I got hauled back into Dade. Funny how things work, right? The baseball cap saved me and damned me at the same time.”

  “No good deed…”

  Erin thought of Connor. His determination to help her.

  Would it go unpunished?

  Chapter Nine

  Connor strode into the police station and suffered through a pat-down before they would let him in to see Derek. The squad didn’t have a scheduled meeting this morning because all six members of the unit had been given their marching orders yesterday. He had two hours before he was scheduled to interview Tucker May’s ex–cell mate and he needed to speak with the captain first. When he walked into the main floor of the precinct and found Bowen leaning up against the pillar across from Derek’s office, he greeted him with a raised eyebrow.

  Bowen jerked his thumb toward the office door. “He’s in there with his missus. I’ve been told interrupting them could lead to severed limbs. I like mine where they are.”

  Seemingly out of nowhere, Austin sidled up to them. “I was told the same thing, but it’s been a bloody hour. Some of us have matters to attend.”

  “What matters are those?” Connor asked. He still didn’t have a read on this guy, which bothered the shit out of him. Although he suspected any males who existed within Erin’s orbit would immediately become his enemy. Except for Bowen, who’d forgotten every female name that wasn’t Sera. Something about Austin put him on the defensive, like he might be more dangerous than his tailored appearance let on. “I thought you were sidelined until Derek found a use for you.”

  Austin popped a stick of gum into his mouth. “There’s always a use for me. I just get to decide it for myself. I’m not a fan of following orders.”

  “That so?” Bowen smirked. “Then you’re here to speak to Derek about what, exactly? The best place to get a spray tan in Chicago?”

  “Hysterical.” Austin’s smile was tight. “I’ll have you know my mother was Greek. If the sun worships my complexion, there’s nothing I can do about it.”

  Connor blew out an impatient breath toward the door. He suspected the reason Bowen was here was similar to his own. Austin was a wild card. But none of them were going to get answers standing around like a couple of tools. “Two minutes and I’m going in.”

  A uniformed police officer walked past, whistling through his teeth at Connor’s statement. “Gird your loins.”

  Connor exchanged a level look with Bowen and all three men fell silent. He felt itchy between his shoulder blades. Had ever since Erin left the apartment, hours earlier. This morning had almost been the end of their already-unpredictable relationship, and it was his own damn fault. He’d never been a heavy sleeper, but something about her soft body behind him, her slender arms locked around his chest like she couldn’t get close enough, had induced a near-coma. He’d fallen asleep feeling needed by her. It was no wonder he’d had to get closer to that need, absorb it.

  God, he couldn’t close his eyes without seeing her in that state of panic. The fear radiating from her had reached out and choked him, guilt running him through. He needed to be careful, patient, alert. Couldn’t risk her leaving again. Somehow in the space of a few days, she’d become vital. She’d crawled up inside him and put down roots that couldn’t be dug up. Those roots had already grown into a shade tree that cooled him where he usually ran so hot. Only a handful of hours had passed since she’d left the apartment, and already he was desperate to see her. Be touched by her. She’d said touching him made her feel good, and he was dying little by little with each passing minute, knowing she was going without something that made her happy. Something that relaxed the monsters lying in wait inside him.

  “Time’s up,” he muttered, striding
toward Derek’s office door. Just as he reached for the knob, the door swung open to reveal a petite brunette in cowboy boots and a pink sundress. She was stunning and…young. Couldn’t be more than twenty-five or twenty-six. If Connor wasn’t mistaken, she had a fair amount of whisker burn on the side of her face. A low growl rumbled from behind her and Connor looked up to find Derek, arms crossed, with a dark look on his face.

  “Any reason you’re standing so close to my wife, Bannon?”

  “Derek,” the brunette admonished before giving Connor an apologetic look. “The man doesn’t have the manners the good Lord gave a goat. I’m Ginger and it’s a pleasure to meet you.” She stuck out her right hand, complete with sparkling diamond ring. “I had to come down here and meet the reason my husband has been working so dang hard.”

  Based on Derek’s forbidding expression, even touching Ginger’s hand was against the rules. Connor had no choice, however, and he’d be damned before he started backing down from the guy. He shook Ginger’s hand. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.”

  “Jesus, don’t ma’am me. I’m a new mama and I feel tired enough.”

  Austin stepped forward and extended his hand. “Well, you don’t look it, that’s for sure.”

  Another growl from Derek.

  Bowen just looked anxious to get into the office, shifting back and forth on the balls of his feet. But he managed to shake Ginger’s hand and give a half smile.

  Derek kept his eyes trained on all three of them as Ginger went up on her toes and kissed his cheek. “Don’t work too hard, sugar.”

  They all piled into the office when Derek stepped back, Bowen leaning against the far wall beside Connor, while Austin dropped into the single chair. Derek took his position behind the desk, arms still crossed over his chest. He pointed at Bowen. “You go first since your twitching is irritating me. What do you want?”

  “I want to know who I’m working with.” Bowen jerked his chin toward Austin. “Who the hell is this guy? What did those two girls do to get locked up?”

  “I’ve vetted you all thoroughly. That should be good enough.”

  “It’s not. Not where Sera is concerned.” He swiped a hand through his hair. “I need to know who has my back while I’m watching hers. No surprises.”

  “I’m the only one who needs to worry about Erin.” Connor stared hard at Bowen until it visibly sank in. “That’s why I’m here. I need to know where she’s been and I don’t want an audience for it.”

  Derek released a heavy sigh. “Let me get this straight. Bowen is here for Sera’s safety. Connor came to pump me for information on Erin.” He turned his attention to Austin. “That leaves you and Polly. Is there something in the Chicago fucking water? It’s barely been three days.”

  Austin’s face betrayed nothing. “I only drink bottled water.”

  Connor could almost hear Bowen’s massive eye roll. “Look, you can’t blame us for being cautious. I think I speak for everyone when I say we’ve gotten this far by not giving blind trust.” He ignored Bowen’s sniff of agreement beside him. “If we don’t know one another’s weaknesses, there isn’t a hope in hell of trusting one another’s strengths.”

  “Seconded.” Bowen shoved his hands into his jacket pockets. “How would you feel if it was your wife out there?”

  “Don’t ever say that out loud again,” Derek ground out.

  Austin gained his feet. “This is going rather well, wouldn’t you say?” He stopped at the door. “Have fun deciding whose dick is biggest. Hint, the winner is about to leave the room.”

  When the door snapped shut behind Austin, Bowen pushed off the wall. “Man, I hate that guy.”

  Derek held up his hands, appearing to collect his thoughts. “Bowen, Sera is a trained officer. Treat her like one.” He turned to Connor. “As far as weaknesses go, you already know Erin’s. Otherwise you wouldn’t have ripped the plywood off that window yesterday.”

  “She mentioned a stepfather. I need his name.”

  The captain actually looked impressed. “She told you that already? Took me months to figure out which card to play to get her here.”

  “I don’t understand.” He took a step toward the desk. “And I need to. Now.”

  “In front of Bowen?”

  Connor considered the former underground Brooklyn criminal whose relationship with him had started off as ambiguous, but had developed into a mutual respect. Bowen bunched his shoulders and glanced away uncomfortably, but Connor could see his answer would matter. A lot. “Yeah, in front of Bowen. If there’s anyone here I trust, it’s him.”

  Derek looked between them and nodded. “Most of you are here to avoid prison time. Erin is here to avoid being locked up as well. But not behind bars.” He lowered his voice. “In a mental institution.”

  Bowen blew out a slow breath. “You two sure know how to pick ’em.”

  Connor gave him the middle finger. “Who’s trying to put her there? Her stepfather?”

  “She’ll have to tell you the rest.” Derek sat down at his desk, effectively dismissing them. “I’m done gossiping for the day. Get out there and do your jobs.”

  Connor checked his watch again and saw that only a minute had passed since the last time. He scanned South California Avenue looking for blond hair and combat boots. Listened for the sound of tinkling bells. Anything that might signal Erin had decided to show up for their prison visit. On his drive over, he’d still been reeling from the information Derek had provided. No, “reeling” wasn’t the right word. He was livid. A lot of that stemmed from helpless fear. Even now, she could be in trouble and he was standing here unable to help her. Unacceptable.

  Even if she showed, what could he say? It had gone unspoken between him and Derek that Erin’s situation was told in confidence. If he came right out demanding to know why someone, most likely her stepfather, wanted to lock her away, she might split. She wanted her freedom; it was important to her and he imagined that extended to the right to privacy. To tell him things about herself when she was good and ready. Too bad he didn’t share that sentiment. Whatever he had to do to keep her safe would be done, come hell or high water.

  Dammit, where the hell was she?

  “Hey.”

  Connor turned just in time to see Erin step out from behind a parked car. He tried not to let his relief show, but on the inside, he felt like a parched desert experiencing its first rainstorm. Jesus, she looked sexy in those skintight jeans and black crop top. She’d traded her combat boots for some red high-top Converse that matched her dark lipstick. He wanted to drag her back behind that parked car and wipe it off with one hand and finger her with the other. Watching her battle outrage and arousal from a front-row seat might make up for the morning he’d spent going out of his mind.

  She sauntered toward him, hands clasped behind her back. “Looking for someone?”

  “Maybe,” he answered. The closer she got, the less he cared about holding back, giving her space. The closer she got, the harder his pulse pounded. “Where did those clothes come from? More importantly, where did you change into them?”

  “The mall.” She rubbed a palm down her denim-encased thigh. “I keep a locker there, too. In case I can’t go home to get what I need before I—”

  “Run?”

  “Yeah.” She raised a hand as if to lay it on his chest, but hesitated. “Does it make you feel better that this is the first time I don’t really want to?”

  “No.”

  “It should. It should make you want to kiss me.”

  Christ. His cock swelled, pushing against his fly. The word “kiss” coming from those plump red lips shot him full of lust. His body remembered all too well how they’d felt smoothing down his length last night, drawing hard on their way back up. “You and I will never be able to kiss in public. Both times I’ve tasted your mouth ended in us both coming. I don’t see that changing any time soon.”

  A breath shuddered out. “So much for me distracting you.”

  “Why would you
want to do that?”

  She glanced toward the massive stone structure that was Cook County correctional facility and shook her head frantically, blond strands flying around her face. “Too many doors closing behind us. Too many people looking. They’ll check me for weapons with their sweaty cop hands.”

  Connor experienced a wave of self-disgust. Since they were going into the prison as guests, not inmates, it hadn’t occurred to him that she’d get spooked. Idiot. Of course she would. He’d been so focused on the more immediate threat to her, he hadn’t even thought of it. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. I’ll come back a different day without you.”

  “No,” she hurried to say. “I’m going to help in my own way, all right? I’ll meet you back here in an hour.”

  Denial speared him. He couldn’t let her out of his sight this soon. Too soon. Already the calming effect she had on him had started to dissipate. “Erin…”

  “Go, Connor.” She gave him a look that said, please trust me. “It’ll be okay.”

  Lead in his stomach, he looked her over one final time before heading up the walkway toward the prison. He’d only taken three steps when she jumped onto his back, wrapping her arms around his neck. His eyes slid closed as she nuzzled his neck with her mouth. Her weight felt so good. Like he’d been walking around untethered all morning until that very second.

  “I went to a diner and had chocolate chip pancakes with Polly, who I think maybe has a secret life after dark. One that involves glitter lotion. After that, I took the bus to the mall and carved my initials into a tree waiting for it to open.” Connor knew what she was doing, and it made his chest hurt. Feeding his need for control, for peace of mind, simply by telling him where she’d been since leaving him. It comforted him like crazy. “I shopped in the junior’s section of Macy’s and rode the kiddie train because the girl running it gave me the evil eye. You would have been so proud.” She planted a kiss on his neck and inhaled deeply. “I’ll see you in an hour, baby.”