Chapter 6.

Teagan POV.

Walking around town with Lucifer off lead on a sunny Saturday, it feels right, like I am meant to be here. Not just because I’m on a case, but because somehow I feel closer to mom and who she really was.

Lucifer sits at the road as we wait to cross. His leash hanging around the back of my neck, my long dark hair in a mid-high pony tail. Wearing my gym wear consisting of shorts and sports bra. We do this every day; we go for a run and hit the park.

We cross the road and continue on towards our street. Lucifer is well behaved and doesn’t run off, not like he used to when he was a pup. We walk along the street when I hear a honk but carry on walking, not thinking whoever it is was for me. Walking up the path to my front door.

“Sit,” I say and he does. I pull the sweaty key from my sports bra and open the door. I step inside and call him in and he enters as I shut the door. I catch sight of a black SUV that is creeping past the curb before it speeds off.

I lock the door and head further into the house, grabbing a bottle of water as I head upstairs to shower and change. Half way up there is a knock at the front door. Lucifer growls, which is not like him. I shush him and creep back down the stairs and see a tall figure standing by the door. I grab a kitchen knife and walk towards the door. I left the gun upstairs this morning after Carlotta left and went to get dressed for the day. Rookie mistake. Never leave your firearm where you can’t get to it.

I open the door a fraction and look at the honey eyes of Antonio.

“Tiger.” I sigh in relief, feigning worry.

“Antonio, you scared me. What are you doing here?” I ask, and he chuckles.

“Sorry, that was not my intention, but I did honk my horn and you ignored me.” so it was him. Good thing I didn’t turn around.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I thought whoever it was honking was for someone else.” I chuckle nervously, but I am anything but nervous.

“Can I come in?” damn him. I step back and open the door wider. Lucifer growls loudly and I give him a look, and he walks away. Good boy.

I turn, and he catches my wrist. He lifts it. Seeing the sharp kitchen knife in my hand.

“You planning on stabbing someone?” he asks seriously and I shake my head.

“No, I was just about to make some food. When you knocked, I forgot to put it down. I’m such a ditz.” I say and he lets my wrist go and I turn and walk back into the kitchen and begin making a sandwich. Cursing myself internally for being caught.

I twirl the knife and slam it down into the chopping block, and he raises an eyebrow at me.

“So, why are you in the area? You stalking me?” I ask, and he laughs. I smile at him as I plate up both of us a sandwich and flick on the kettle.

“No, I am here to see family. But I thought I would say hi but you being ignorant, you ignored me.” He pouts and I fight the giggle. Fucking hell, get a grip, girl. He is your target, he is a murderer and the man you need to take down to get your damn career back and to rub it in Langton’s smug face.

“It won’t happen again. Coffee?” I ask, and he nods his head as I get to work. Lucifer is laying on his bed watching everything.

“He is a lovely dog. Had him long?” I smile and look back at Antonio and his gaze is so intense I shiver.

“Had him since he was eight weeks old. He is my baby. He is two years old, trained him myself.” I say and he nods his head as I hand him the cup and plate.

“So how did you find Temptress? Did you enjoy working last night?” he asks and I motion for him to sit down and I join him sitting opposite him.

“It was an eye opener for sure, but the staff seem nice. The customers they were too interested in what they were doing to notice me. So it worked out alright, I guess.” I say to him and he smiles and chuckles.

Yeah, working in a sex club was not the career I wanted even being undercover. The things I saw last night, well, you couldn’t look anywhere without seeing a cock or bare pussy. Not to mention the people in the cages giving the room a show. I’m not ashamed to say I was turned on.

“You could say that. So tell me Bobbi-Jane, why are you here? I mean really here?” he asks, and I clear my throat to rid the thoughts as I bite into my turkey sandwich.

“Well, I wanted a change. I saw this house on the market and fell in love with the area and thought that is exactly what me and Lucifer need. A fresh start, you know. I’m still young and well, here I am,” I say and he just watches me.

“So, no boyfriend or husband, no kids?” he asks and I know he has already done his checks on me, so I shake my head.

“Nope, and no. It’s just me and him. No-one else, no family, no friends, how I like it.” I tell him, and he looks down at the table.

“It must be nice to just be on your own, with no responsibilities or having people rely on you. Breathing down your neck, waiting for you to fuck up.” Hold on, back up. He wants to be like the average person. Interesting.

“It is, but it does get lonely. But we deal with the cards we are dealt. We do what we can to survive.” I tell him, and he smiles at me.

“Good call. So you said you have been here for a week? How you liking the town so far?” he asks and I know he is fishing for information just like I am. So this is a game for the both of us. So let’s play.

“It is gorgeous, the people oh my heart that are so nice and accommodating. I know we will be happy here. It reminds me of back home. Everyone knows everyone. A real sense of community.” I say and he smiles big at that. I think about Jackson and all the happy memories I made there before I left to join the academy.

“Troy, Alabama right?” I lean back in my chair and just watch him. I wouldn’t have this any other way. He has just shown his hand. Langton is right, a happy man spills his secrets.

“Ahh, so you have done your research about me then, well played. So, what else did you find out about me?” I ask taking another bite and his eyes widen that he has just been caught in his own interrogation.

“That you had a run in with the cops for drugs and that you had a bad breakup.” I choke on my sandwich and cough. He is out of his chair and rubbing my back as I cough and splutter. Mother fucker, that should not even be there. I wasn’t arrested.

“That shouldn’t have been public knowledge, charges where never brought against me. But yes, I was hanging around with some kids who were smoking weed and I was with them. I was clean. As for the bad break up, you could say that finding your boyfriend with his dick in his secretary’s ass bent over his desk, well, it wasn’t the best way to find out he was cheating, but it did give me the push to leave him.” I say with a chuckle, and he shakes his head.

“What did you do? Did he hurt you physically, because I think it’s a bit drastic to move across the country to get rid of a cheating ex?” He says as he moves back to his seat. Back to the interrogation. I like this game.

“Well, we didn’t part on the best of terms, so to speak. Don’t tell anyone this, but I got my revenge on him good and proper.” He leans forward as I giggle. He wants to know me.

“Oh really, do tell.” He licks his bottom lip and my eyes follow the action. I lean further forward and speak in a hushed tone.

“I keyed his car, put sugar in the gas tank. Cut up his expensive designer suits and dragged them through dog shit. Before taking all his belongings into the front yard and had a bonfire.” I say before I burst out laughing and he looks at me with wide eyes before he smirks.

“Well, it looks like the little tiger has not only got claws but sharp teeth as well. Remind me to never piss you off.” He points and laughs before he drinks his coffee and finishes his sandwich.

“I’m innocent until proven otherwise. He should have known better than to fuck me over. Never mess with a southern girl.” I say, leaning back, lifting my arms, showing my hands with an innocent smile. He laughs loudly.

“That’s for damn sure.” He replies and I smile. As much as I know he is a criminal, he has a softer side to him, an easy side to him. A side that I bet not many people see.

“So, what do you do Antonio instead of being my boss that is?” Here we go, give me something.

“Not much to tell. I run the family businesses and take care of those closest to me, plus the people of the town. It’s only right, my family has lived in this town for a very long time. I moved to the city ten years ago, but I know where I came from. So I give back as much as I can.” Oh, isn’t he a saint? Never mind the people he hurts with his deals and the families he and his men destroy all for a quick buck.

“Sounds nice. Well, I hate to do this, but I have to shower and get ready for work. Otherwise, I would extend the invitation.” I stand up and so does he.

He takes his cup and plate to the sink and washes it before putting them in the dishwasher and I show him to the door.

“Thank you for the coffee and sandwich. Next time I’m buying. See you later, Bobbi. It was a pleasure.” He takes my hand in his and kisses my knuckles. I wave as he gets in his car and I shut the door.

My heart is beating out of my chest, the damn tingles from his touch are sending me into a frenzy.

This is going to be easy, change of plan. I know what I have to do to get him to open up to me and bring me into his little organisation.

I’m going to make him fall, head over heels in love with me right up to the moment I cuff him and read him and his organisation their rights.