Page 121 of Illicit

I don’t slow down as I lead her through the halls of the building I know like the back of my hand. I’ve been here with the guys and Tim as much as I was at the precinct. “I’m not sure what you’re worried about. I’m the one who’s tying myself to Tim Coleman’s youngest daughter. That’s not the best look. It screams creepy old man. I’m going to have to ignore the chatter and ribbing until it dies down. It’s none of their business. If I don’t ignore it, I’ll probably have to kill someone. The next month or so will definitely test my control. But this—” I bring her hand to my mouth for a kiss. “Is like ripping off the bandage. Quick and painful, but it’ll be done.”

“You’re crazy. And you’re dragging me down with you.”

I lean in to put my lips to her ear. “Is that like you going down on me? Because I’m hard for that anytime you’re in the mood.”

Her face warms with a beautiful flush.

I reach up to tuck her hair behind her ear and nod to the door on the left. “This is us. Prepare yourself. This will probably be unlike any meeting you’ve ever been to.”

I don’t give her a moment to respond. I push the door open to the conference room. Four men who were in light conversation turn to us.

Two are amused.

One is downright ecstatic.

And the last drags a hand down his stress-lined face.

That would be Brax.

He needs to get over himself.

“Another one bites the dust.” CIA Officer Cole Carson claps his hands once, making Teagan jerk from the shock of it. “What you didn’t tell me is that your contact slash love interest is also Tim Coleman’s youngest daughter. Had I known that I would’ve been here last night! This is the best thing since Brax and Micah went to blows over Brax hooking up with a mafia princess.”

Brax proves he is not in the mood and points to Carson. “How many times do I need to tell you to quit calling her that?”

Cole stuffs his hands in his pockets and glances at Micah. “But she was.”

Micah shrugs.

Brax fumes.

King stares at me with a smirk. “Goldie was right. Here in the flesh, you two might as well be a walking billboard for The Pink. I hear your wedding will be on the house.”

“Um, what?” Teagan sputters.

I glare at King before turning to her. “Nothing. I’ll explain later.”

Cole beams. “I hear wedding bells ringing right here in the hallways of the DEA.”

Micah gives Brax a shove. “Man, get over yourself. It’ll blow up when Tim finds out, but you know they’ll love it in the end.”

Brax turns to his best friend and frowns. “I don’t like being in the middle of drama. It’s stressful as fuck. Tim has always had my back. I’ve been loyal to him. The fact that I’m in the know about this and haven’t told him is not cool. I have a daughter—hell, I could have another one next month. But my wife is best friends with this guy.” Brax motions to me and rolls his eyes before he turns his attention to Teagan. “We’re happy for you. Seriously, we are. We know Rocco isn’t going to do anything to fuck this up. He wouldn’t do that to anyone. But this is an unusual situation.”

Micah slaps Brax on the back. “Other than Brax lying to Landyn about his true identity when they were married, we’re learning that our boy here doesn’t deal well with keeping secrets.”

Cole rubs his hands together. “I want to know who’s going to blows today.”

“No one is going to blows,” I assure him.

“I’m not taking sides if they go to blows,” King adds. “Goldie will kill me.”

I look down at Teagan. “That won’t happen. I promise.”

“Oh, I’d never allow that. I think my dad will be surprised, but he’ll get over it. He trusts you with everything,” Teagan says.

“Everything is different when it’s your daughter,” Brax amends.

“As fun as this is, can we please get to why we’re here? I have information I think everyone will like, especially Teagan.”

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