After Hours (14 page)

“Keep it up and see if I grant you the leave of absence that you requested last week. Africa and I aren’t seeing each other. We are only friends,” Zane informed him a cool tone. “I’m not going to let a woman wrap me around her finger the way Jametria has done you.”

“Jametria is the woman that I’m madly in love with. She has the right to have me wrapped around her finger,” Forbes corrected calmly. “When you finally fall in love you’ll be spouting the same stuff that I am.”

“I think that’s a long way down the road. Now, let’s talk about Hudson and this cocaine drop. Do you know when it’s going to happen? Does he have plans to start branching out to heroin?” Looking around the abandoned plant, Forbes couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched. He couldn’t put make out where it was coming from; however he got a sneaky suspicion that they weren’t alone.

“Do you get the feeling someone is watching us?” he questioned, sitting inside Zane’s rental car.

“No,” Zane answered staring at him. “What’s wrong?”

He shrugged one large shoulder. “I’m not sure.”

“You’re the best in your field. Tell me what’s up? You wouldn’t have said anything if you weren’t positive that something was off.”

“I can’t shake the sensation someone is watching us, but I can’t be for sure. I know that half of Hudson’s guards are waiting for the shipment to come in and the rest are back at the home guarding him. I got the day off because I prevented him from almost getting shot last night during a buy gone wrong. By the way, tell Leo that he almost hit me.”

“He thought you might enjoy the extra excitement. We wanted Hudson to believe your cover and it worked,” Zane stated. “Do you know how hard it was to get Hudson to accept you as his right hand? The Bureau had almost given up hope that he would take the bait.”

Forbes shoved his sunglasses on top of his head and looked through the windshield. He was still getting an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. Something wasn’t right, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.

Taking a glance at Zane he pushed his paranoia to the back of his mind. Zane was right, if he didn’t get his thoughts straight Hudson or his guards might catch him in a lie.

“It almost worked a little too well. I’m glad Hudson believes in bullet proof vests for his top men,” Forbes laughed humorlessly, “or I might not be here to find out if Jametria is the woman I think she is.”

“You’re actually going to give up a twenty year career on a maybe?” Zane questioned disbelief in his voice. “What if she finds another man while you’re away?”

Gray eyes turned the color of cold steel. Jametria was his and another man’s hands better not touch any part of her perfect body. Surely, she wouldn’t forget the conversation they shared at the airport.

“She isn’t going to get involved with anyone else.”

“Why are you so sure? I thought she told you to stay out of her life. Did she make you any promises to stay faithful?”

“You don’t like her, do you?” Forbes asked trying to see his friend point of view.

Zane never had anything good to say about Jametria. All he did was find a way to point out her flaws or lack of faith in him. Shit, wasn’t Zane supposed to be his best friend? When would he see that Jametria was the woman he had waited all of these years to settle down with and start a family?

 “I think she’s is a nice girl, but I’m not positive she’s the one for you. How can you give up everything you’ve worked so hard for to be with her?”

“I’m in love and I’m willing to give up what I have to be with Jametria. I have a dangerous job and I don’t want her at home worrying about me. What if one day a suspect wants to get revenge on me by hurting her? I wouldn’t be able to handle that.”

Drumming his fingers on the steering wheel, Zane nodded slowly, as if his emotions for Jametria were finally getting through his friend’s thick head.

 “I understand. As much as I’m trying to deny it, I’m starting to have deeper feelings for Africa. Just the way she argues with me is a turn-on; however, I don’t know if I could give up my career like you’re doing.”

“You’ll do it,” Forbes stated without hesitation.

Zane glanced at him. “How can you be so sure?”

“I was like you. I thought the F.B.I. was my life until I met Jametria and everything else fell into the background. The day she yelled at me to stay out of her life tore my heart out. One thing is for sure after I’m finished with Hudson, nothing is going to stand in my way of winning Jametria back.”

“I wouldn’t get overly confident if I were you. She’s tough,” Zane said, starting the car. I’ll drop you off at your car and then head back to the hotel.”

“I’m dying to give her anything she needs. Jametria isn’t going to be able to fight me much longer,” Forbes replied with a certainty in his voice.

“Don’t drop me off by my car. Let me off at the corner and I’ll walk the rest of the way.” Forbes glanced back over his shoulder out the rear window. “I still get the feeling someone is here, but I haven’t seen anyone.”

“Do you think you’re pushing yourself too hard on this case? I can always pull you out if it gets too hot for you,” Zane suggested.

“No. I can handle whatever is coming my way. It’s probably just my mind playing tricks on me. It has been a while since I was undercover on a case like this. Hudson isn’t a man that likes to be messed with. I’ve seen him do things that I couldn’t do anything to stop it.”

“Do you think we can use it against him once we arrest him?” Zane parked at the entrance of the old mill. “We need all the evidence that we can get against that bastard.”

 “I know.”

 Forbes’ mind still remembered the images of the people who had crossed Hudson. He wouldn’t be able to handle it if he got his hands on Jametria.

“I was just thinking I would kill him with my bare hands if he even thought about being in the same room with Jametria. We have to bring him down. I don’t want someone like that running around free on the streets.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll get him behind bars. You won’t have to be under much longer. All we need is Hudson videotaped selling the drugs. Can you set that up for us?”

“Didn’t I work my way up to his right hand man in only a matter of weeks? It won’t be a problem. He’s excited about venturing out to this new heroin deal.”

“You’re top in your field. The Bureau knows that you can get this killer off the street. I read in his file at least a dozen high school kids death got traced back to some of his drugs. When the time comes we know that there will be ice water in your veins.”

“I’m tired of having that image.” Forbes sighed, massaging the side of his temple with his fingertips. “I want to be a family man with the house and dog running around in the yard. I’ve grown weary of having to watch my back all of the time wondering is someone after me. Do you how hard it was not to follow Jametria?”

“Jametria better be worth all the agony that you’re putting yourself through. I think she’s very pretty with that girl next door image, but can you really stay faithful to her?” Zane questioned. “I haven’t forgotten all the hot women that used to fall at your feet at the office.”

Forbes stopped Zane with a silencing look. “First, don’t look at my woman. You don’t have the right to determine if I can be faithful to her or not. Jametria is mine.” He hoped that his boss finally understood because he was getting tired of repeating himself.

 “Secondly, the women at work knew what they were getting into with me. They knew our relationship wasn’t on an emotional level, only physical. Don’t ever place Jametria in the same category as them.” The threat hummed in his voice and Forbes knew Zane caught it.

“You know, the only reason I allow you to talk to me like that is because we are best friends, if we weren’t I would have fired your ass by now.”

“I know, that’s why I do it,” Forbes replied, opening the car door. “I won’t be able to make contact again for about two weeks, but I’ll wear my watch at all times so you can track me.” Getting out of the car, he slammed the door closed. “Be careful.”

Forbes quickly made his way over to his car and got inside. He didn’t want Hudson to wonder where he’d been for the past two hours. Pulling out of the lot, he turned in the opposite direction.

Chapter Twenty Two

“Jacob, I was very impressed with the way you handled yourself the other day,” Hudson praised, watching him as he took a sip of the whiskey in his right hand.

Forbes still wasn’t used to being addressed with his fake identity yet. It sounded odd to his ears and took him a minute to respond.

“Thank you, but I was only doing what you pay me to do. You’re the boss and when you need protection I’m there.”

“I can respect a man that knows how to keep his word. It shows his character. It makes me trust him more when the time comes.” Hudson downed the last of his drink and placed the glass on the shiny surface of the desk. “I had some time to think while you were gone and I came to a decision.”

 Keep your cool. This may be what Zane and I’ve been waiting for.

 “Are you going to fire me after I saved your life?” he joked but inside his heart was beating a mile a minute.

Hudson London wasn’t a man to be tested. If he wanted you to go missing and to never been seen again, he had the power to make it happen with his connections with the Russian mob.

Leaning back in his chair, Hudson stroked his beard with the tip of his finger. “On the contrary, I’m giving you a promotion. I like your ability to think on your feet; however, you have to pass one little test first.”

He didn’t like the sound of this at all.

“What kind of test? I hope it doesn’t involve numbers because I might as well as drop out now,” Forbes joked again hoping to break the tension he felt building.

Hudson’s chuckle sent a flicker of apprehension through his body. Even the man’s laugh was evil and very disturbing.

 “A man with jokes, I’m beginning to like you more and more. However, if you ever cross me, you’ll regret the day you were born,” he warned, staring him directly in the eye. “A lot of men have crossed me in the past and lived to regret it to. I’m not a man to be played with either. I take my job very seriously.”

If Hudson was trying to draw a response from him, he wasn’t going to get the one. He needed to get this bastard behind bars and the sooner the better.

“I’m here to stand at your side. Tell me what needs to be done and I’ll do it without asking question,” Forbes said.

“That’s good to know because the last man who tried to befriend me turned out to be an undercover cop. Let’s just say after we killed him, six of my men paid his pretty little wife a visit one night and the last time I heard about her she was still having problems.”

Forbes faltered in the silence that engulfed them. He was more shaken than he cared to admit. He was so thankful that Jametria was out of harm’s way and Hudson didn’t have a clue about her.

“I never had any use for cops either. They were always up my ass when I was a kid. I think they are a waste of good money,” Forbes tossed in waiting for Hudson’s response.

Copper eyes that were usually flat and emotionless lit up with a shine that almost made him take a step back. “Fuck, I wish I’d found you years ago. I needed a man like you beside me when I planned some jobs back in the day.”

Here it is!

 “What kind of offenses? I love trading good stories from the past.”

 There was a lethal calmness to Hudson as his eyes stared into Forbes’. “Now isn’t the place to go into this, but if you pass my test, I’ll be more than happy to share my old stories with you. However, I’m needed some place else, so we need to get moving.”

Forbes waited while Hudson picked up a black bag from the side of a chair then followed his mark out the door. He was worried about what his test was going to be. He had to get in touch with Zane as soon as he had a moment to himself.

****

“How many times have you dreamt about him over the past week?” Africa shoved the piece of baked bread into her mouth and waited.

“Aren’t you supposed to be here to help me with the last couple of chapters of my book? I didn’t think this lunch would turn into a hundred and one questions about Forbes,” Jametria answered. “The phone call the other day was a lapse in judgment on my part.”

“No, it was the sound of the walls of Jametria finally falling down. You were acting like a woman in love again. I was so proud of you. I can ask Zane to tell Forbes you want to talk to him.”

“You’re still talking to Zane? I thought you didn’t like the standoffish agent? Is there something deeper going on?” Jametria questioned.

“How did we get the conversation turned in my direction away from you?” Africa frowned.

“I think talking about you and Zane is a lot more interesting than anything I have to say about Forbes.” She wasn’t ready to admit she was actually worried about him.

“You’re worried about him, aren’t you?”

A momentary look of discomfort crossed Jametria’s face. She was keenly aware of Africa’s scrutiny. Jametria wavered, trying to comprehend what she was feeling again for Forbes, yet her heart was winning over her mind.

 “Yes, I’m concerned about him,” she finally confessed.

“That’s good. I’ll see if Zane can tell me anything the next time he calls. I doubt that he will, but I can put a bug in his ear for Forbes to call you.”

“I don’t know.”

“Stop denying the facts and just let it happen. .”

“All right, I’ll do it,” Jametria sighed giving in, “but you better be right.”

“When have I ever been wrong?” Africa asked then winked at her.

Chapter Twenty Three

Parking inside his driveway, Paul got out of his car and waited for Tyra as she got out of her car. “I’m glad that you decided to come,” he said when she met him by his front door. “I hope we can get everything out in the open.”

“I do too, because I don’t want any tension between us at work,” Tyra agreed stopping in front of him.