Page 138 of Pawn's in the Bishop's Game (Checkmate 1)

“Nuh-uh, thug.” She folds her arms with attitude. “We’re close, we love each other, but I already told you, we don’t roll like that.”

“No! Jesus, I don’t want both of you. But I just kissed the wrong girl. I mean, shit, it’s the kind of mistake someone else might make, no? Not everyone knows to look for the scars, so if Abel wants to hurt me, he’s going to come for you. Now he has two targets.”

Heavy boots stomp along the hall three seconds before a snarling face appears. Alex Turner, chief of police and angry big brother, stops just in front of his second, Deputy Oz, and folds his arms across a thick chest. “We have a whole fuckin’ lot to talk about right now.”

“Alex.” Face draining white, Jess’ bad attitude goes forgotten when Juliette stops behind her husband. “Oh my God. Jules.”

“Seems we need a come to Jesus talk. All of us.”

“It’s not wh–”

Jules nods to a security camera at the end of the hall and quirks a perfectly waxed brow. “Not only did we hear every shouted word, but we have it on camera. We also have footage of a kiss between one criminal and a twin. A boat load of secrets. An admission that might end a career. A man to kill. And a set of ribs to inspect.”

“Jules, no–”

“Boardroom, now.”

“I’m just gonna–”

“Both of you!” Alex snaps. “Both blondes. Move your asses before I beat them.”

Jess’ eyes, angry a moment ago, turn to me to save her. My job has always been to save her. I turn back to Alex. “I want in on this meeting, too.”

“Thanks, Bishop. But we’re good with sending you away for life. You stay here. You.” He shoves Jess along the hall. “Don’t make me call your brother.”

“Alex, stop.” She pushes back against his hold, but he’s twice her size. Stronger. Pissed. “Let Kane out. He’s not our enemy.”

“He’s a fuckin’ murderer, Jess! He shot at me tonight. He’s our enemy.”

“He shot at you?” She spins back with those angry eyes. “You shot at him? He’s my brother! What the hell is the matter with you?”

I didn’t shoot at him.

Chad shot at him, but seeing as I was the one left holding the gun, I simply shrug.

“Laine, move it. You don’t get to go home until I have my answers.” Oz takes the second twin by the arm and shuffles her forward.

In an odd twist of fate, the crying twin turns to me the way her sister does. Like they both have this magnet inside them, and this stupid inclination to think I’m their savior. I’ll save them, but they need to fix those fucking magnets and find a healthier survival mechanism.

“Don’t tell…”

“Youtell.” I nod toward the deputy. “Tell them. Save your own life. I’ll fix the rest.”

“He’s not fixing shit.” Oz pushes her along. “He’s not our friend. You know who your family is, and it ain’t a two-bit criminal who likes to take advantage of your sister.”

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