Page 27 of Dirty Deeds

“I wanted to believe Brent. I wanted to have faith that he could free him. Enzo, we’ve tried to appeal the verdict. Ro and I have written letters on his behalf, but nothing has worked. Brent’s offer felt like my brother’s only shot. He told me to think about it, that’s when I got in my car and drove here. I do my best thinking when I’m driving with the music on. Honestly, though, if you hadn’t come outside when you did, I don’t think I would’ve ever gone inside. I wasn’t nervous about taking the next step. Yeah, I was out of practice, but there you were, this gorgeous guy, and you were interested inme. It didn’t matter that you found me at my worst, hungover, wearing an Oscar the Grouch t-shirt. Nor did it matter that I was older and divorced. You didn’t look at me and see damaged goods, and that was enough encouragement. But my decision was already made. I could drive to California and back, listen to one playlist after another and it wouldn’t change. I was desperate to help my brother. If showing my support toward my ex-husband and posing for some pictures could ensure Derrick’s freedom, then I was all in. But then you came outside…” Her voice trails and she pauses for a moment. “I didn’t want to leave you that morning, but I couldn’t stay because I knew if you woke up, I’d never want to leave and then my brother’s only shot would be blown to hell.”

I don’t know that Brent has a sincere bone in his body and it’s highly unlikely that he would’ve succeeded in freeing her brother, but after the other night, I think it’s safe to say any chance of Brent helping her brother has been severed.

“I get it, but where does this leave your brother now?”

She hangs her head and blows out an exasperated sigh.

“I’m not sure. That’s the other reason I came here. I’ll do whatever it takes to expose Brent’s dirty deeds and if there is any way to get back the money he stole from Frankie’s House, I’ll gladly help with that too. Your dad gave me twenty-four hours but that was before you got arrested. I’m going to need more time and your father’s word that he won’t hurt my brother.”

For the second time since we’ve gotten inside this car, she shocks me by the mention of my father and his involvement. Apparently the old fucker has been busy.

Gritting my teeth, I ask, “What did you say?”

“Your father knows about my brother. He told me if I didn’t cooperate, he’d send someone into the prison to pay my brother a visit. I don’t know your dad very well, but I’m starting to see why he goes by the name of Wolf.”

Jesus Christ.

“Danica, my father is not going to touch your brother. You have my word.”

Her expression remains neutral, making it hard to tell what she’s thinking or if she believes me. I straighten up in my seat and shift the car into reverse. “In fact, we’re going to have a little chat with the man and ease all your concerns.”

Fuck the manicotti.

And while we’re at it, fuck the conditions of my bail too.

Fuck everything.

CHAPTERTEN

DANICA MATTHEWS

Comingclean to Enzo felt like a weight had instantly been lifted from my shoulders. Faking a life, pretending you’re happy, it can be exhausting and for six months that is all I did. Well, if you want to get technical, I’ve been doing it for years. The sad part is I did it all for nothing, and now I think I made even more of a mess of things. I know, I didn’t think it was possible either, but here we are, walking along the pavers that lead to Wolf’s front door. Correction, I’m jogging, Enzo is the one walking. My short legs and this dress are apparently no match for him. He’s a man on a mission and I’m just here for the ride.

There is no reasoning with him. I warned him that we could be followed, that the press seems to be everywhere I am these days, just itching for the next big story in the Brent Matthews saga. All it would take is one photo and he’d be back inside a jail cell.

He didn’t care.

If anything, that information only fueled his anger and I have to tell you, angry Enzo, is sexy as all hell. Now, I swear I’m not one of those women who goes around chasing the bad boy, thinking she’ll be the one who finally tames him. I mean, obviously, look at my track record. No one in their right mind would ever classify Brent as a bad boy. A sleazy villain, yes, but a bad boy, no.

So we’ll blame my newfound desire to tame the wild on all that dirty talk he did in the car. And the touching. There was a lot of touching. He didn’t grope me or anything, but those simple touches, those are the most heated, aren’t they? The whisp of his fingers across my shoulder, the gentle squeeze of my neck—they packed a punch. If I were wearing panties, they’d be destroyed.

He comes to a sudden stop in front of me and turns around, tagging my hand. Intwining our fingers, he pulls me against his side and presses his lips to the shell of my ear.

“My family can be a lot. Just follow my lead, yeah?” he rasps.

Turning toward him, I stare at him from under the fringe of my lashes.

“Like you gave me much of a choice.”

His gaze drops to my lips for a beat as he lifts his other hand and wraps his fingers around the back of my neck, giving it a gentle squeeze.

Yeah, it’s the simple touches.

They’ll leave a girl in ruins.

Meeting my gaze, he narrows his eyes. “Oh, I gave you a choice, Danica. The night I beat the living shit out of Brent you made a choice. You ran.”

“I thought you weren’t a fan of women who ran when things got hard.”

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