Page 78 of Playing for Keeps (Checkmate 4)

The second that name passed X’s lips, I bound up from my chair and ran as fast as my fake leg would allow. Wallet. Phone. Keys. I was out the door with Andi’s hand in mine before my colleagues had a chance to catch us.

I dove into the passenger seat, allowing Andi to drive, since I haven’t mastered that with my new leg yet, and I directed her across town to the house I know those brothers stayed in during their time undercover.

They didn’t know I knew.

They didn’t knowanyoneknew their secrets, but if I’m expected to lie to my boss for a whole fucking year, the boss I respected so much, just the idea of lying made me sick to my stomach, then I needed to know what I was lying for.

I needed to know it was worth it.

It only took a matter of weeks for me to run by at the exact right time. For me to catch sight of Eric and Jay leaving the suburban home in the early hours of the morning on their way out, for me to sneak my ass into their house, and to find what I needed.

It’s not like I’d found signed affidavits that swore they’re good guys.

I didn’t find much of anything to prove they were good people, but I found a home-style war room, with years of collected information on Abel Hayes. I found legally obtained weapons. I found plans on how to take a drug cartel down, dates and times of crimes committed by Abel Hayes himself, stacks of evidence lined up and cataloged in such a way nothing would be lost or forgotten when it was time to take the guy down.

I was looking for proof that we were all on the same team, that they weren’t in Abel’s pocket, that they weren’t skimming the product or profits.

Both relief and dread settled in my belly once I got my answers; relief, because they weren’t dirty, and dread, because I would soon be one of them.

Once I determined they were fighting the war they were asking me to join, I returned their calls and swore my allegiance. Because killing girls before they’ve had a chance to grow, selling drugs to children who’ve yet to finish school, and hurting people who have literally nothing to do with Abel’s world except the fact they were in the wrong place at the wrong time, are the very reasons I joined the force.

Helping them was the right thing to do, even if lying to my boss made me ill.

As soon as Andi pulls into the driveway, I unbuckle my belt and lever my way out of the car. I wish it were more of a ‘I fly out of the car and demand answers’, but I don’t fly anymore. I’m not superman, and I can’t do anything but skip-hop and hobble these days.

“Slow down, Riley. Let me help you.” Andi rushes to my side and extends a hand. “I feel like we’re going into battle or something.”

“Yeah, I think maybe we are.” I lift my left leg out and set it on the concrete driveway. There’s no stealth to our movements. No secrecy. Whoever’s inside already knows we’re here. “Can you wait in the car, Deedee?” I stand with a grunt, and tower over her head. Her hands rest on my hips to steady me, my hands on her shoulders while I catch my balance. “These guys are my friends… well…” I shrug. “Sorta. They were. But I don’t know what the story is right now, and I’m not sure how stable everyone is. Can you stay in the car and wait for me? I won’t be lo–”

Smiling, she shakes her head and presses a kiss to my chest. “I know you know I’m coming with you. There’s no way in hell I’m staying behind, so don’t be dumb; it doesn’t look good on you.”

“Deedee… these guys are dangerous.”

“They’re cops! You said so.”

“Right. But they’re not like me, X, or Oz. These are a different kind of cop, and one of them has been dead for months. I don’t know who’s inside, or what we’ll find. I don’t know if I’m the enemy now, since one of them didn’t make it. I don’t know if I’m a dead man, since Abel hurt Jess… Deedee, I don’t trust the situation enough to let you come.”

Ignoring my wishes – like usual – she twines her fingers with mine and takes a step away. “Why don’t we go knock on the door and see? I’m not leaving you now. I’ve worked too hard since you were hurt to let you shut me out now. We’re a team, right? Plus, you forgot your crutches. You’re gonna need me in five minutes when you get tired. Stop playing hard to get, and let’s just go in.”

I allow her to drag me along the driveway and across the path that leads to the front steps. Stopping at the bottom, I look up and count them; four steps, and one prosthetic leg. Dee makes a move to go up, but I pull her back. “Behind me, Dee. You’re not my vest.”

“You’re protecting me?” Her eyes sparkle; part teasing, part emotional. “You’re not allowed to get shot again, Riley. I’ll be super mad if we have to start back at the start again.”

“I won’t shut you out, I promise.” I pull her back until she’s completely hidden behind my body, then I place my spare hand on the rail and hoist myself up. “Just…. Be cool, okay? Be quiet.”

Jay or Kane? Jay or Kane? Jay or Kane?

She scoffs. “I’m always cool. I’m cooler than Snoop. I’m cooler thanFofty. I’m cooler than the entire Rat Pack.”

“Dee. Shush. And what the hell is a Fofty?”

“It’s the new and improved Fifty, now you shush.” She comes around to my side when the front door cracks open ahead of us. Protective, despite my orders to shut up and stay back, she shields me when Eric DeWhit steps out with a gun in his hands and a type of feral anger in his eyes.

“We need privacy.” He lifts the gun. “We’re not open to visitors at this point.”

“Who’swe, Eric?” I climb another stair and inadvertently draw his eyes to my leg. His brows shoot high, his posture relaxes just the smallest fraction. “Who’s inside?”

“Bishop. What happened to your leg?”

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