Page 30 of Hard Game

It’s awkward, my ex giving me flowers, but hey. Whatever gets me information.

“Uh, thanks?” I say, moving away so he can come in. He shakes his wet jacket off and drapes it over my chair, not giving a shit about the chair or the carpet. I guess I’ll clean that up too.

“Are you hungry? I brought us Thai food.”

I stare at him like he’s just suggested we set ourselves on fire. I know I need to play nice, but I’m not dating the fucking jerk. “I’m not hungry, and I didn’t think this would take long.” I watch as he kicks his shoes off and stretches. “Surely you’ve got to get back to your wife?”

Please do. Spare me.

“Nah,” Taron sinks into my favorite armchair and pats the one beside him. “She’s away on a spa break.”

Unease pools in my stomach as I join him, my fingers still wrapped around the bouquet. I can hit him with them if he tries anything on. “Who’s the informant?” I ask, and Taron rolls his eyes.

“C’mon, now, Lauren! Where’s your hospitality?”

Our eyes meet, and I try not to let my distaste show. The only hospitality I want to show him is the one inside the ER, but I force a smile. “I’m tired, Taron.”

“Same shit you used to spin,” Taron snaps, frowning at me. “Go change. You look like you’re still at work.”

This is all too familiar, and he’s doing it because he knows I need something from him. “I’m fine,” I tell him coolly, placing the bouquet between us. “I need a name, Taron.”

“And I,” Taron says, leaning forward and tapping the food cartons in the bag by his feet. “Need some food.”

I grit my teeth as he digs into the bags and offers me a small container, dragging out a large for himself.

“I thought you’d be dieting.” Taron grins at me, holding my gaze.

Fuck this.

“You’re a prick, you know that?” I mutter, shoving my fork into the carton of Thai noodles.

“If you’re not, you should be. With all that running around, you need a better diet. I’m not saying you’re fat—on the contrary. You’ve got a fine body, Lauren. One I’ve enjoyed time and time again.”

Jesus Christ, talk about inappropriate! I shove the carton onto the floor and stand up, pointing at the door. “I just lost my appetite and my patience, Taron. Get the fuck out.”

Taron, however, doesn’t make a move. He chews on his noodles thoughtfully before looking up at me. “One more time with you, and I’ll tell you whatever you want to know.”

A laugh of disbelief escapes my lips, and I stare down at him, watching him slowly drink in my body. “You cannot be serious,” I breathe, my fists clenched by my sides. “Taron, get out, or I’ll throw you out.”

Taron grins again, and my stomach churns. “I have information you’re going to want to hear.”

“I doubt that,” I say dryly, striding to the door and yanking it open. “No case is worth that.”

“Are you sure about that?” Taron digs around in his carton, glancing over his shoulder at me. “Not even your sister’s case?”

Every atom in my body freezes at his words, my blood skittering to a stop as my heart dives into my stomach. There’s no way… “Taron, even for you, this is low,” I whisper, reaching for my holster. I’ll kill him right now and ask Maddox to help me get rid of the body. He strikes me as someone who would know how to do that.

“I know who the informant is, and I have information on your sister.” Taron finally stops eating and turns to look at me, his eyes locking on mine. “Believe me or don’t, I don’t care. But if you want information, pretty girl, you’ve got to earn it.”

15

MADDOX

Taron has been in there for forty minutes, and I don’t trust him. Not one little bit. He’s a bent cop, the worst kind. I’ve been watching him since meeting the detective, and I don’t like what I’ve found. He’s not only bent, but he’s the detective’s ex, which riles me even more. He’s touched her in ways I haven’t.

Yet.

I can’t see what’s happening inside, but I can hear it. I’m not proud of bugging her apartment, but I needed to know everything about her. Everything. I planned to place a camera in there tonight to watch her, too, but I knew it would only fuel my growing obsession with the woman. Something that seems to be growing out of control all by itself, fuck. I adjust my earpiece, not liking where this conversation seems to be heading. Taron keeps banging on about Thai food, and I already want to slit his throat for trying to be intimate with the detective. He’s just mentioned how much he’s enjoyed her body in the past, sealing his fate, as far as I’m concerned. I crick my neck when she asks him to leave, lacing my hands together and twisting them away from me.

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