Crash Into Me ~ A Love in the City Romance by Dellani Oakes – Part 64

She walked over, looking expectant.

"Tell him why someone came to kill you," Canon said.

"You think it was Warren?"

He nodded. She turned to Newton.

"Six years ago, I was a beat cop. Got called to a domestic disturbance."

"At that address," Newton guessed.

"Yes. Father holding his wife and son at gunpoint. He raised the gun to fire. I shot first, but Dad's gun went off. The boy was shot and killed. The mother took the gun, shot her husband, and tried to shoot me. She missed, but I didn't. I winged her. She went to prison, where she had her dead husband's baby. She swore that one day, she'd kill me. Her name was Phyra Warren."

"I made a call. She came up for, and was granted, parole," Canon said.

"Why didn't they call? They're supposed to call me!"

"Funny how that works, isn't it?" a woman's voice said from across the lawn. Phyra Warren walked forward, hands in her pockets. "You stupid bitch. You killed my son."

"Your husband killed your son," Canon corrected her.

"She shot him. He shot Sonny. He wasn't going to shoot! Bitch!" she screeched, pulling a gun.

Newton stepped in front of Eilene. Before Phyra could fire, she was surrounded by ten cops, all armed.

"Shoot me!" she screamed. "Shoot me!" She waved the gun at Eilene.

Newton took the weapon from her. It wasn't loaded. He reached in his pocket for his phone, bringing out Eilene's panties. Everyone burst out laughing, including him.

"Trust Newton to bring panties to a barbecue," Anton laughed.

The next day, they all went to court for Oats' sentencing. Dressed up in their uniforms, they filed into the courtroom.

The prisoner was much subdued. He knew that Judge Walker was going to throw the book at him. Making her grand entrance, Honoria Walker took her seat. Pearl trimmed glasses on her nose, she glared at the defendant. "You ready for this?"

"Yes, Your Honor."

"Stand up."

He did so.

"Your actions have been reprehensible. You know it, we all do. Because of you and your pettiness, sixteen people died. Even if you didn't pull the trigger, their blood is on your hands. And it's still capitol murder. I'm sentencing you to serve sixteen consecutive life sentences. There are no outs here. This is life, without parole. Because of the heinous nature of your crime, endangering minors, you will be incarcerated in a maximum security facility. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"

Oats said nothing, head hanging.

"Get him out of my sight," Judge Walker ordered.

Total silence accompanied his departure. When he was gone, Judge Walker focused on the police officers.

"There will be appeals. I expect each of you to do your duty."

"Yes, Your Honor," they chorused.

"None of us are blameless," she continued. "We all know him, observed his behavior, and did nothing. I'm as guilty as you, in that. He may have sent them to die. You killed them. Remember this. Be diligent. Pay attention. Don't let this happen again. I'm done now. Go." She made waving motions with her hands.

Hale didn't move. He held his cover, clamped in his hands, knuckles going white. Bailey, who had killed as many as he, came over.

"You did your job, Officer Newton. Sometimes, that sucks." He enfolded Newton in a bear hug.

"Thank you," Newton murmured. "You, too, my friend."

Much subdued, they went to the station. Fortunately, no calls came in.

That night, they went to Newton's house, not wanting to see the blood on the floor of her home.

"I was thinking," she said. "My place is bigger. And closer to work."

"When I drive," he chuckled.

"How about we move in there? Your lease is almost up. Mine has another year."

"Sounds good. I just want to be with you, Eilene. I don't care where we live. I love you."

"I love you too, Hale."

He swept her into his arms, kissing her deeply. A thought surfaced. "Are you free Saturday?"

"Yeah. We were going to the concert. Why?"

"Change of plans. My parents' fortieth. Want to meet my family?"

"I'd love it."

This time, when he kissed her, he didn't stop until he called her name.

THE END

Crash Into Me ~ A Love in the City Romance by Dellani Oakes – Part 63

They hung up. He joined Eilene in the bedroom. This time, she was holding panties—black, barely there—he'd taken them off with his teeth a time or two.

"Question?" she prompted.

"Two. First things first." Someone rang the bell. "No!"

Eilene moved to answer, but he caught the hand holding the panties.

"Move in with me?" He moved to kiss her, but the bell rang again.

"Dammit!"

It was the floral delivery guy. Eilene opened the door, delighted with the bouquet.

"What a lovely surprise!" She turned to thank Newton, still smiling, ready to kiss him. The delivery guy dropped the bouquet. Flowers and vase fell, shattering on the porch.

"Gun!" Newton yelled. He couldn't get there fast enough, couldn't save her! No weapon. "No!" he roared. His hand closed over a sturdy stone bookend.

Everything happened in slow motion. Eilene dropped. The gunman raised his weapon, and Newton threw the bookend, hitting the man in the head. The gun went off. Blood sprayed. Suddenly it sped up, seeming to happen too fast. Seconds rushed by. Eilene lay on the floor, the gunman nearby. Blood spread across the tile of the foyer. Newton dug for his phone, panties in hand. Those went in his pocket. Phone out, call 911, he gave himself orders to follow. It was the only way he could cope. Get the weapon away from the perp. Check Eilene. "Breathing. Bleeding." He looked her over carefully as he talked to dispatch. He checked again for a bullet wound, but didn't find one. But she was covered in blood!

The gunman's head lay open in a huge, bloody gash. There was a dent in his skull where the bookend had connected. Newton left the man where he lay. He wouldn't be coming to anytime soon. Eilene stirred and sat up, dazed.

"Oh, thank god! Are you hurt?"

"No. No." she felt her body, realizing she was bloody. "His blood. I'm fine."

A cop car pulled up. Another followed. Their pals, Jones and Estevez, who had backed them up at the Rivera house, rushed up.

"I'm okay," Eilene said. "It's his blood." She pointed to the gunman.

"He's got a pulse," Estevez said after checking him. "The f**k did you hit him with?"

"Bookend. He pulled a gun on Eilene."

They called for an ambulance and the gunman was taken off, cuffed to the gurney. Jones took their statements. Estevez worked the scene.

"Scared a year off my life," Newton said, kissing Eilene.

"My fault for not paying attention. You always bring flowers, you don't send them."

"Don't scare me like that. I love you!" He kissed her forehead.

Eilene got very still. "You—you never said that before."

"I'm always saying it."

"No—it's love ya...."

"Then I'm a f**ktard, because I love you. And I want you to move in with me."

"I—a—"

"He saved your life by bringing a rock to a gunfight. The only answer is yes," Estevez said.

"Yes," Eilene replied shyly. "Yes."

The police officers gathered their things and left. It was almost time for the party. While Eilene showered and changed, Newton mopped up the foyer. He couldn't get the blood out of the grout, but at least the worst was up. Surprisingly, not bloody himself, he threw her things in a cold water soak.

Eilene got their food contribution, a big antipasto platter, and they headed to Anton and Tabitha's house. Party music filled the air and the grills were already fired up, ready to go.

Together, they made the rounds, hugging, kissing, joking. Somewhere along the line, Newton ended up with a beer in hand. Eilene was on the other side of the yard, talking to the Roeder Sisters. A heavy hand clapped his shoulder.

"I hear you had some excitement at your place," Canon said.

"Yeah. It's all good, though."

"Think it was Oats?"

"A little too coincidental not to be, don't you think?"

"Worries me some."

"Me, too. Is this shit ever going to be over?"

"Who knows? I hope. But why just you and Eilene?"

"Been wondering that. Maybe because I arrested him?"

"Could it be something else catching up with you?"

Newton's hand stopped a few inches from his mouth.

"Old flames? Grudges?"

"Probably. But someone who wants me dead?" he shook his head.

"Not you, Eilene. That was her home, a trap laid for her."

"So, not Oats?"

"There are more criminals in this life than him. You ever ask her why that address scared her?"

"No. I forgot. Why?"

"Time to ask." Canon whistled at Eilene.

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Crash Into Me ~ A Love in the City Romance by Dellani Oakes – Part 62

"You go right ahead, sonny. Appeal as often as the law allows. That's your right. But if even one of these witnesses, or jury members, gets so much as a hangnail, I'll put you in super max so fast, your eyeballs will spin." She turned to the bailiff. "Get him out of my courtroom. I don't want to see him until sentencing."

"Guilty on all counts," Anton said as he, Tabitha and the SWAT team walked outside. "What kind of sentence can that carry?"

"Hard to say," Canon replied. "But he sent those boys to die. Even if he didn't pull the trigger, he's responsible. Suffice to say, he's going away a long time."

"I wish we could send the bastard to my country," Tabitha said. "We know how to treat—or should I say, mistreat—prisoners there."

"I don't think we'll have to worry," Newton said. "The families of those boys have friends and family warming bunks in prisons all over the state. Not to mention people he put away, while he was a cop. I wouldn't want to be Oats for anything, once they find out."

"I almost feel sorry for him," Eilene said. "No. I lied. I don't."

A celebratory party was planned at Anton's house. Because of its size, and location, it had become party central. It was also closer to the hospital than some other homes in the city. Since Tabitha had recently moved in, it was a house warming party as well.

"What if we'd lost?" Anton asked Eilene.

"With Judge Walker on the bench? Not a chance."

"She doesn't control the jury."

"No, but there's something about her. She gets what she wants. And you can bet he'll be given the maximum sentence."

"So why isn't the party tomorrow night?"

"We all have to work." She smiled and blew him a kiss.

The police officers had recently come off nights and were switching to days. It wasn't a transition any of them made terribly well. Newton was more distracted than usual, because he planned to ask Eilene to move in. He'd meant to do it before, but Anton and Tabitha's move happened, and he hadn't wanted to steal their thunder—nor did he want his and Eilene's overshadowed.

"Hey, babe?" he called from the kitchen.

She was in the bedroom, packing an overnight bag. It was her turn to spend the night at his place.

"Yeah?"

"Come here a second?"

She walked out, his favorite bra in her hands. It was a pale pink, lacy and distracting. He took it from her, tucking it in his pocket. He held both her hands.

"I have a question for you."

"Okay."

"Would you like to—" His phone rang. His mother. Dammit! She would call back every 30 seconds unless he answered.

"Got to take this. Hi, Mom!"

Eilene took her bra, digging it slowly from his front pocket, making him insane. Stumbling over his words, he tried to talk to his mother.

"It's our fortieth this weekend. You'll come."

She might be Japanese, but she'd learned Jewish Mother Guilt well.

"I'll have to check my schedule. It goes up today, I'll look tomorrow when I go in."

"Call. I'll wait. If your father hadn't met me, where would you be? Not here. And he met me because he checked his calendar, and took a night off—to see his mother!"

"Okay! I'll call. Saturday. Right?"

"Good boy. You remembered."

"Of course, I did. I even have a gift." He made a mental note to buy a really nice gift.

"You'll call me right back." It wasn't a question.

"Yes, ma'am."

A quick call to the station determined that he, and Eilene, had the day off on Saturday. He'd intended to take her to a free concert in the park, but this was Mom. He called her back.

"I'm free. And I'm bringing a friend."

"A good friend?"

"The best."

"Will I get grand children?"

"Negotiable. But possible."

"Good. You bring her. Is she Jewish?"

"No, Ma."

"Pretty?"

"Beautiful."

"Asian?"

"Native American."

"She'll make pretty babies for you."

"I expect so. See you then, Ma."

©2021 Dellani Oakes

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Crash Into Me ~ A Love in the City Romance by Dellani Oakes – Part 61

Newton and Eilene spent the night at his place, enjoying his big bed and spacious shower. Like Anton, he'd redone his with sex in mind. He was pleased that Eilene approved of his decorating innovations—not to mention the sexual ones. They, too, fell into a sated, exhausted heap after hours of love making.

CV woke Anton and Tabitha at noon. "There's coffee. I can't cook in this contraption."

"Be honest, you can't cook anyway," Anton teased.

"Except fish."

"Good point. If you couldn't grill fish, you'd starve."

They threw together a meal of leftovers and coffee.

"I've been thinking," CV said as he lit a joint. They were all on the back deck, enjoying the breeze and sunshine. "You need a legit job, that plays to your strengths."

"Yeah, like what?" Anton took a hit, handing it to Tabitha, who refused.

"Well, I first thought about an art and jewelry appraiser."

"I don't really know enough to qualify. I'm good at stealing shit, but I don't know real art from fake."

"I realized that. Security systems—good money in that. Or testing for flaws. People pay for that, don't they?"

"Yeah, I don't know how much," Anton said.

"You could give lessons," Tabitha suggested.

"In theft? The point is to go legit."

"No. Teach police what to look for, from a thief's point of view. Eilene told me they would have missed over half of Rose's stash, if it hadn't been for you. Consultants like that, make good money."

"I'm okay for now," he said with a sly grin. "I've invested well—very well. And I've done a few legit jobs. Under a different name...."

"Doing what?" CV asked.

"I retrieved objects for an insurance company. It's kind of fun, really. Stealing with a legitimate reason. Best of both worlds. I still have those contacts."

Eilene woke without Newton beside her. She didn't sense him in the house. Since it was his home, she didn't worry, but got a shower and dressed.

Newton came in a few minutes later, carrying food bags and a bouquet of flowers. "Hey, beautiful!" He handed her the flowers and she greatly admired them.

"I hope you like sunflowers."

"I happen to love them. Thank you."

They kissed for a minute.

"Oh, I got ice cream!" He put it in the back of the freezer.

They spent the next few minutes putting food away, until the last bag.

"The red light was on," he said, looking guilty. "For clarification, I loved donuts before becoming a cop."

They made their breakfast from coffee and plain glazed donuts.

"I love the flowers."

"I'm so glad. It's from their Just Because collection. I looked for the Thanks for the Incredible Sex bouquets, but they were fresh out."

"Some other lucky girl is enjoying them."

"Yeah—but she's not enjoying—me."

"I'm the luckiest of all."

"Me, too...."

Weeks passed and it was time for Oats to go on trial. The jury had been chosen, testimonies given, the video of him plotting with Teddy, a minor, was entered into evidence.

The judge was, once again, Honoria Walker. When both lawyers had concluded their cases, it was time for the jury to deliberate. Judge Walker had a chance to speak, instructing the jury of their duty. Setting her glasses aside, she folded her hands in front of her.

"I'm not telling you how to vote. I'm telling you that Mr. Oats was an officer of the law, the son of a politician, and a member of the City Brothers Association. As you deliberate, and decide guilt—or innocence—consider that, according to testimony, he is responsible for the deaths of sixteen young men. Another twenty-one, all under the age of twenty-five, are incarcerated. Take your duty to heart. Thank you."

The jury was conducted out. In the shortest deliberation in city history, they were back with a unanimous verdict in less than ten minutes. The defense lawyer had to sprint from the restroom, to be there in time.

"We, the members of the jury, find the defendant, Arlan Oats, guilty of all charges."

The courtroom erupted in applause. Judge Walker called for silence.

"Thank you, ladies and gentlemen of the jury. You have discharged your duty well. You are dismissed."

"I protest! I'll appeal!" Oats yelled.

©2021 Dellani Oakes

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Crash Into Me ~ A Love in the City Romance by Dellani Oakes – Part 60

"Will do. You too."

Tabitha came inside, grinning. "Where were we?"

"About to have a lot of fun."

And they did. The sun was rising when they finally got to sleep. Waking around 2:00, they ate leftovers from the party, and Tabitha started to clean the floor where the intruder had bled. Anton cleared up the glass, and put a piece of plywood over the broken pane. A terse call to the company, followed. He was assured a representative would be there tomorrow afternoon.

"If these break," Anton told Tabitha, "I'll put the f**ker's head through it."

She laughed and kissed him.

"I'm not kidding."

"Yes, you are." She kissed him again.

They were running late to pick up CV. He was sitting in his wheelchair, saying farewell to the nurses, when they arrived.

"Took you long enough," CV grumbled.

Anton knew he didn't mean coming to pick him up.

When they got back to the house, music was playing loudly. The SWAT officers were in the front yard, drinking beer and tending two grills.

The Roeder Sisters were in heaven, being waited on by young, handsome men. The interns, Doctors Smithers and Bennett pulled up right after they arrived. The front door was unlocked, courtesy of Lydia. Gigi, Esmeralda and Jess were in the kitchen with Rivera.

"Ma made sangria," he boasted. "Gigi has tea brewing, the kid and I made lemonade."

"From real lemons!" Esmeralda said proudly.

"Cool! CV, want a drink?" Anton asked.

"I want a blunt," the old man complained. "But cops are all over the damn yard."

"It's medicinal," Tabitha said. "And I'm a medical professional. Bennett gave you a card. Light up."

"Not inside," Jess admonished.

Laughing, they agreed and helped CV onto the deck. The party spread to the backyard, where a rollicking game of Frisbee had started—cops vs. doctors.

"Come play!" Newton called to Anton.

"Can't pick a team," he called back.

"Cops are down by one."

"Then I should probably help the doctors," he laughed and trotted down the steps.

Tabitha sat with CV, watching. Anton threw himself into the game with great gusto. She got the impression he'd never had a friendly game of Frisbee, with a wild bunch like this.

"You can go play, baby girl."

"No. I don't play fair."

"You're good for him."

The group yelled as the Frisbee went on the roof of a shed. Newton hoisted Eilene on his shoulders to get it.

"He's good for me, too. Did you know—about his job? Who he is?"

CV shrugged. "Don't matter. He's the best man I know. Good heart, crazy smart. Never had a chance at college. Can you imagine him behind a desk?" Clicking his tongue, he shook his head.

"Nope. He'd make a good cop."

"Too many rules."

Anton turned and smiled at her, not seeing the Frisbee coming at him. It hit him in the face, right above the eye. The doctors descended on him, but he was laughing. "I saw it coming! And Newton throws like a girl!" It had hit on his uninjured side. Leaving a little bruise, it was nothing.

"Dinner's ready!" Bailey bellowed from the front yard.

Everyone washed their hands and filed out front, where they were greeted by the Roeder Sisters. Someone had set up trestle tables which were covered with food. They lined up and Cynthia offered blessing before they served themselves. They all found places to sit on the huge porch, steps and ground.

After dinner, everyone pitched in to clean up. Canon brought out a huge, chilled watermelon and they had a seed spitting contest. There was no definitive winner, since all of them were drunk, including the judges.

Eventually, everyone drifted off toward home. The Roeder Sisters were escorted home by an entourage of cops and doctors, blushing and tittering like school girls.

Those who were designated drivers, tucked their charges into cars and drove away, honking and waving. CV had put himself to bed, choosing a guest room, leaving the master bedroom for them. Anton made sure everything was locked and secured. Tabitha was in the shower when he got to the room.

"Join me?"

She didn't have to ask twice. Grabbing a condom from a bathroom drawer, he opened the door to the large, walk-in shower. He'd converted it to a steam shower with three jets, it also had a handicap bench in the back. They made good use of the bench, climaxing as the water started to cool.

They finally fell asleep, holding one another close, secure that they wouldn't be disturbed.

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Crash Into Me ~ A Love in the City Romance by Dellani Oakes – Part 59

Taking his advice, they went through the nearly spotless garage. The door swung open silently. From the corner of the house, they could see two more men patrolling, looking impatient. Tabitha indicated she would take the man on the right, giving him the one on the left. She held out a throwing knife, but he had some. Giving her a quick kiss, he slunk through the shadows, disappearing from view. For a second, she marveled at how silently he moved. Doing so herself, she tracked her target.

Her man had gotten nervous and restless. He'd decided on a breach of his own. Apparently, he'd also chosen to throw caution aside. Raising his leg to kick in the door, he hit it hard—and fell down, screaming. Not only were the door and frame steel, Tabitha's knife caught him in the thigh. Howling, he rolled on the front porch.

The fourth man reacted, but didn't get far. Anton's knife caught him in the right arm. He screamed, grabbed his arm and dropped his gun. Anton had him down, flipped on his face, when the first SWAT vehicle rolled into the driveway.

"That's the home owner," a familiar voice yelled. "And his girlfriend! Dammit, Donnie! You didn't leave any fun for us!" Newton hopped off the truck's running board and trotted forward.

"Two more inside. One may be bleeding and breathing. Not sure about the second. Tied up."

"This one's bleeding and screaming," Tabitha toed the one on the porch. "Sorry, darling, he's bled all over the floor."

He let out another blood curdling scream. "You got my balls!"

"Don't be such a baby. I missed them. If I'd gotten your testicles, you'd be comatose."

EMTs from the fire station down the road, rolled up and collected the prisoners.

"She got my balls," the one on the porch moaned. "Crazy bitch!"

The female EMT did a quick assessment. "No, she missed it by about half an inch. Nice shot!" she complimented Tabitha. "You should be glad you dress right and have a small dick, or you'd be missing some."

"What? Hey! Grower, not shower!" he said with wounded pride.

"Small dick men all say that, don't they?" Tabitha said.

"Yep."

"Got your own SWAT team?" another EMT asked Anton.

"Friends."

A car rolled up. Canon jumped out, followed by Eilene. Bailey was helping the female EMT with the screamer. He was pitching a fit over being hand cuffed.

"She cut me!" He pointed to Tabitha.

"You tried to break down the door. She's former Mossad," he exaggerated. "Be glad she didn't kill you, mother f**ker," Bailey rumbled.

"You coming, too?" the EMT asked Bailey.

"Want me to?"

"Hop in."

He did so. She followed, flashing Tabitha a thumbs up.

The injured criminals were cleared away and the SWAT team gathered in the kitchen for coffee and strudel, courtesy of the Roeders.

"I thought getting Rosa Blanca would put an end to this," Anton said.

"This had to already be in play. She had no chance to call it off, even if she'd wanted to. Her chain is broken. She's out of the game for a long time," Canon said.

"You got here quicker than I thought."

"We were on our way already. Newton played a hunch."

"Missed the fun, though," Newton complained

"At least you're all right," Eilene said.

"I'm glad CV wasn't here," Tabitha said.

"Are you kidding? He'll be mad as hell that he missed it," Anton laughed.

"How did they get in?" Canon asked.

"Broke the pane on the French door, which is supposed to be unbreakable. The company will get a call, maybe a visit. I paid a lot of money for those f**kers."

"What do we call you now?" Cage asked. "Don? Anton? Something else?"

"My real name is Matthew Wriggly, but I made my best friends as Donald Winthrop. I think I might change it permanently."

"Is it over now?" Tabitha asked. "Not that it wasn't a good time, but they interrupted a better one."

"Damn good time," Anton said, giving her a kiss.

"And that's our cue to exit. And go have our own fun," Newton chuckled.

"I'll call tomorrow. Late." Canon promised.

"Come by around five. CV's coming home. We're having a cookout."

"We've got the night off. What can we bring?" Eilene asked.

She and Tabitha went off, talking.

"Things are good?" Newton asked Anton.

"Yeah. I told her about me before we— It seemed the right thing."

"Risky."

"I wasn't going to have her make love to a lie."

"Good policy. Have fun. Take it easy."

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Crash Into Me ~ A Love in the City Romance by Dellani Oakes – Part 58 CONTENT WARNING

Taking her hands, Anton led Tabitha to his bedroom. Closing the door with his foot, he undressed her slowly, enjoying the feel of her body. She did the same for him. When they were naked, she took command, shoving him on the bed.

"Condom," she demanded.

"Drawer." He lay still, watching the play of light on her beautiful body. Arms behind his head, he waited.

Tabitha rolled the condom on. Moaning, his hands sought her, pulling her around so he could touch her inside. When both of them were ready, he lifted her, sliding her over him.

Pausing as their bodies met, they sighed contentedly. She leaned over, her breasts dangling over his face. Sitting up, he suckled one, then the other. She piled pillows behind him to make that easier.

They moved faster, their climax nearing. Tabitha arched her back, shaking her magnificent mane so it tickled his legs, behind her.

"God, Tabitha!" he bellowed. "Oh, God!"

"Don!" she gasped. "Matthew!"

They came together, roaring and screaming their release. Bodies shuddering, they clung to one another, kissing. Anton didn't feel the pain in his face. It was nothing. All that mattered was the woman in his arms, in his bed.

After a decadent shower, they put on enough clothing to walk around. For him, boxer briefs. For her, his shirt and her panties. They warmed dinner of Thai carryout, and ate on the floor of the living room

Anton was contemplating making love on the carpet, when he heard a noise. It sounded like feet on his deck, only a few feet away. They'd been eating in the dark, with only the light of the full moon, to illuminate their meal.

Taking her hand, he led her to a small room, which served as his office. The closet had a false back where he kept weapons. While she chose what she wanted, he got their shoes. It took precious time to put them on, but he knew broken glass was their enemy.

"Canon?" she murmured.

"Sent a text. They're coming. It's far."

There was a tinkle of glass, followed by the click of a lock. He had an alarm, but rental cops couldn't handle what was coming.

Using hand signals, Tabitha took charge. Pulling her hair back, she grabbed a Velcro tie from the computer cord to secure it. Moving quietly, they headed up the hall of the long house. The office was at one end, the living room halfway, master bedroom at the other end. Their visitors were heading there, probably expecting them to be asleep—or having sex.

"Not here," one said a little too loudly.

Another shushed him. They headed back down the hall. Anton and Tabitha ducked into the front room. It was meant to be a formal dining room, but it housed his library. Boxes of books sat around, waiting to be shelved.

"Look down there. I'll go here," the second voice said, softly but clearly. His steps moved closer.

Tabitha crouched by the open archway, pointing for Anton to move into the shadows. The man walked in and she grabbed him, clutching him around the neck with an arm lock. He was a big man and didn't go down easily. They struggled, knocking over boxes as he tried to break her hold.

"Pete!" the first man called, abandoning caution. "What's wrong?"

"Boxes," Anton said, hoping he sounded like Pete.

The other man stood framed in the doorway. Anton thought of rushing him, but his cheek reminded him that was a bad idea. Instead, he fired his handgun, hitting the man center mass. He was wearing body armor, but at close range, shot with a 9MM, it knocked him down. Seconds later, he was face down on the floor. Working quickly, Anton and Tabitha tied the intruders up.

"You think there are more?" Tabitha asked.

"Would you do a job like this with just two?"

"No. I'd go alone."

Chuckling, he kissed her.

"I don't think we can rule out more."

She gave him a quick kiss. "Nice shot, by the way."

"Good take down."

"They came in back. Besides the front, other doors?"

"Garage and laundry room."

He led her to the office end of the house.

"Weird having two so close."

"He had a dog who slept in here. It goes to the back yard."

"Let's use it."

"No cover. Tall steps. Garage has better cover."

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Crash Into Me ~ A Love in the City Romance by Dellani Oakes – Part 57

Anton chuckled. "No complaints. It does the job."

"What can I do for you?"

"I need to disappear. I've tried twice, and the cops keep catching up."

"Came up on the wrong side of someone, I heard," she led him into a tastefully decorated dinning room—nice, but not highest end.

"Yeah. Someone is still after me. I'm not safe. I'm good, but I obviously need great."

"You came to the right place. Sit. Coffee."

"No thanks, just ate."

She shrugged. "Do you have your current papers?"

"Yes."

She held our her hand. Conservative manicure, good quality. This girl knew how to fly unnoticed. He handed over Donald's license, passport, birth certificate and Social Security card.

"These are good. You do these?"

"Yes."

"You have my money?" She knew he did, she'd felt the envelope in his pants.

"Twenty K." He pulled it from his pocket and handed it over. "We set?"

"We have an accord," she said, holding out her hand to shake his. "Soon, you'll be a whole new man."

Anton took her hand and smiled. "Great." He shook and held. "You forgot to lock the front door," he whispered, pulling her close.

The door burst open, with Newton leading the team. Rose screamed and tried to draw her weapon, but Anton held her in a death grip.

"You have the right to remain silent," Eilene said with great satisfaction as she snapped on the cuffs.

"You're making a huge mistake. I'll be out in an hour. I demand to call my lawyer."

"Oh, don't worry," Newton said, walking her out. "He's already there. Of course, he needs a lawyer of his own."

"What? What!"

"Your network is crumbling," Eilene said. "This precious little illusion, kiss it goodbye."

They put her in back of the squad car and it took off to jail.

"You did great!" Eilene complimented Anton.

"Thank you. When you go through the house, think like a criminal."

"What do you mean?" Bailey asked.

"The money doesn't show up in the bank. Cage couldn't find off-shore accounts, which means it's in the house. A woman like that, she knows she'll get burned eventually. She'll have at least one go bag, and a mountain of cash."

"Show us?" Canon asked.

"Yes, sir." Anton led them inside and showed them around, pointing out obvious, and less obvious, hiding places. Her biggest stash was under her son's bed, in a compartment beneath the floorboards.

"Great mom, huh?" Canon said. "We don't tell Rivera this."

"Oh, hell, no," they chorused.

Hours later, Anton finally headed home. His cheek throbbed, his teeth ached. He smoked a joint and popped open a beer. Putting on some Zeppelin, When the Levee Breaks was playing when someone rang the front bell. The Sisters always came to the back door, so he glanced through the peephole. Tabitha stood there with carryout bags. Grinning, he opened the door.

"I brought food. How are you feeling?"

"Better now."

He took the bags from her and set them down. His fingers wound in her hair, the sable curls felt alive. Despite the pain in his face, he kissed her deeply. Tabitha's arms snaked around him, pulling him close. He marveled at the feel of her body, muscular, but still softly feminine. She smelled fresh and clean, like sunshine and bleach, and a sweetness that was uniquely hers.

They got too aggressive and it felt like a lance of fire hit him in the cheek. Gasping, he stepped back, hand flying to his face. Tabitha took charge, leading him to the kitchen.

"Ice," she said, putting some in a zipper bag and a towel. "Pain pills?"

He pointed, holding the ice in his other hand. "Had a joint."

"Take it anyway. It won't kill you, but it might make you sleepy."

"No." He closed her hand over the proffered pill. "I refuse to sleep right now. Pain or no pain. Tabitha, I want you. I have since I met you."

"Don—I—"

"My name," he said softly, taking her hand. "Isn't Donald. It's not Anton, or Tony, or anything else I go by. It's Matthew Wriggly. I'm not a waiter, or an investment banker. I'm a thief—a retired thief. That's behind me now."

"Don—Matthew—that feels strange to say...."

"You can call me Don. But you deserve to know the name of the man who's about to make love to you."

His kiss muffled her reply.

©2021 Dellani Oakes

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