Page 41 of Hard Game

“Maddox, oh Maddox,” I babble, my eyes rolling as my vision blurs. I thrust my hips in time with the pulses in my core until I relax, trying to catch my breath. I rise, staring down at Maddox, who’s turned a little grey, his face coated in my juices.

“Now I can go,” he whispers, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

I glance down at his thigh and curse, hurrying into the bathroom for my first aid kit.

“I’m good, Detective,” Maddox calls after me, moving into a sitting position. “Just give me a minute.”

My hands are covered in his blood, and as I grab the medical kit, I wonder what the fuck possessed me to shoot a man and then ride his face, pressing on his wound to pleasure myself.

I’m a disgrace.

I search the medical kit and wonder how old it is and if I need to sterilize the needles. What if the bullet is lodged in his thigh? Then, why did I fucking shoot him? Why didn’t he leave when I asked him to? Repeatedly, may I add? I’m still thinking at a million miles a minute when I come out to find Maddox on his feet, standing by the door. I gape at him and wave at him to sit down, but he chuckles.

“I have to go and take care of this, Detective, but I’ll be back. I take it you’re not mad at me anymore?” He has the audacity to smirk at me before disappearing through the door into the night.

“Jesus!” I gasp, tossing the medical kit onto the table. “I need a drink.”

I’ve just fucked a man I shot, getting off on his wounds before attempting to clean him up. I chew on the inside of my cheek as I pour the only alcohol I’ve got in the house—Tequila, and it’s not the good stuff. I haven’t got any lemon, so I suck it up, wincing at the bitter taste. I take two more shots before my stomach begins to churn.

Fuck. I had sex with Maddox Moreno. That’s not even his real name! The tequila begins to have an effect, a smooth numbness sweeping over me so subtly I almost miss it, and I inhale deeply.

What the hell is happening to me?

I vowed never to get involved with any criminals, and look at me, fucking like a savage with them. My eyes sting with tiredness, and I know I have to get some sleep. Taron’s death will be all over the news soon, and I need to have my wits about me. Who did he tell he was coming here? Anyone? Not his wife, that much I’m sure of.

Poor woman. What was it Maddox said? Taron beat her?

I grimace and double-check the locks, jamming a chair under the handle before heading to bed. At least if anyone does try to come in, I’m ready.

The following day, the word is out about Taron going missing. The precinct is buzzing, and I nod and shrug accordingly when people ask me if I’ve heard from or seen Taron. I try to act normal, but what is normal when you know the truth? Do I reply, ‘Yeah, I saw him with a bullet through his eye on my couch?’ Or do I say no?

“Detective Diess, my office, please,” Carmen booms from her office door, her eyes boring into me.

Does she know?

Oh God, I’ll go to jail for the rest of my life if she does. A detective covering up the murder of her colleague?

“Of course, is everything okay?” I ask, being sure to maintain eye contact for long enough to look oblivious.

Carmen motions for me to close the door when I walk in, and she rubs her temples, staring at her desk. She looks like she’s aged overnight, and her phone doesn’t stop ringing even though she’s silenced it. The screen flashes until the caller gives up, then starts again. “Sit.” Carmen waves at the seat beside me, and I swallow, perching on the edge.

I don’t want to be here.

“Is this about Taron?” I ask, tilting my head curiously.

Carmen rolls her eyes and shakes her head, and it’s like she’s given me milk and cookies and told me to make myself comfortable. The relief is palpable. “Taron? No. This is about the case with the dead women.”

I stare at her, waiting for her to elaborate.

She does, but she’s got that look in her eyes, which tells me she’s under immense pressure from above. “The latest victim, the one found this morning—” She begins tiredly before I interrupt her by jumping from my seat.

“This morning?” I gasp, unable to control my emotions. “What?”

Carmen eyes me before staring pointedly at my seat, waiting for me to sit before continuing.

I sink into it only because I know I’ll probably fall if I don’t. This is too much.

Another victim?

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