All This Time (2 page)

Chapter
One

December

“Hey
Kris, if I give you an extra two hundred dollars towards the utilities will you
do all of the housework while I’m gone?” Leaning across the kitchen table I
attempt to make eye contact with my best friend who is doing her best to ignore
me. Hooking my foot under the chair next to me, I tip it backward slightly
finally gaining her attention. Her eyebrows pinch down in annoyance and I flash
my pearly whites in return. I’m annoying as hell, but she loves me.

“Uh
no, Sherri’s still on vacation so I’m working overtime and then I’m going to my
parents this weekend to ring in the New Year. You’ll just have to do your part
when you’re home, Princess.” Kris hovers over a stack of bills that she has
been fussing over for the past hour. Eyes glued on her task she smirks.
“Besides, I thought you preferred dirty clothes for work.”

I
feign disgust.
“
Eeewww
, gross!
I don’t wear dirty clothes. I wear grungy clothes. There’s a
major
difference in the two.” She bobs her head, but continues focusing on the
paperwork diligently.

 “If
you say so, but I don’t see the difference.” She grabs up her hair pulling it
all into a loose bun. Kris is a cute blonde with striking green eyes. Just a
couple of inches over five feet, she’s much more petite than my five foot eight
inches. Plus, my ridiculously large boobs are nearly twice her size so we
rarely swap clothes. She lowers her voice and her eyes fill with seriousness. “Sam,
I don’t know how I feel about you starting this new job while I’m away. How
about I talk to Russ and see if he’ll postpone it until after the holiday?”

Sergeant
Russell Daniels is my direct supervisor in the drug task force and Kris’ older
brother.
A coincidence
?
I think not.

“Can’t
do it honey, this one is a deep cover job. There may be days or weeks I won’t
be able to call and it could be months before I can come home. Even then it
will only be for a quick visit.”

Huffing,
she gives me her sad puppy dog eyes. “God, I hate when you take on those. I
swear one day I’m going to get an ulcer from your damn job.” She stresses over
the gravity of my job and that stresses me.

“I
know you hate it, but you don’t have to worry. Russ is going in with me this
time. He’s actually been on the inside of this drug ring for over a year and
I’m coming in as his new babe.” I grimace at the thought and add, “Can I just
say, being your brother’s girlfriend, even just pretending, gives me the
heebie
jeebies
. I love him like my
own brother and he is gorgeous, but the thought of kissing him for show is
going to be like pulling my own toenails out by hand.”

At
this visual, either me kissing her brother or me snatching out my hot pink
painted toenails, she busts into a full belly laugh. Of course her laugh is
super cute and extremely contagious so I join in.

“I
am going to have to do some serious acting.” My eyes bug out pinning her with a
look of fear a moment before I erupt into giggles again. Her laughter is so out
of control that she’s gasping for air.
Damn, I love this girl.

“My
brother is absolutely going to kiss you in front of people on purpose. You know
he’s had a crush on you since the first time you came home with me back in
college.” She pauses, all laughter sucked out of the room. “Is it unethical or
against some kind of nepotism policy for you to take on roles like this with
someone you know so intimately?”

I
roll my eyes and clarify our department policy. “He’s not really
my
brother and we aren’t dating. There’s no policy against friends working
together, silly girl.”

“Whatever.
Just don’t blame me when you have to break out the hose and spray him down with
a blast of cold water like a dog in heat, just to keep him off of you.” She
laughs, but something tells me that she’s totally serious about her brother’s
feelings for me being more than those of work associates or good friends.

“Oh
jeez Kris, we are professionals. Russ would never take advantage of the
situation like that.” I believe my words.

Grunting
out her disagreement, she returns to working out a budget for the neglected
bills and I think seriously about what she just said. Russ is my boss and he
really is like a big brother so I don’t know why she thinks he would allow that
bullshit.

He
wouldn’t,
I reassure myself again.

I
leave Kris pinching pennies and bitching about needing more overtime to pay for
the hefty bills that our massive house accrues. Stuffing the last of my grunge
attire into my suitcase, I send a text to Russ and let him know that I’m ready
whenever he is to get the party started. His quick reply is short with just one
digit letting me know he will be here at seven in the morning. Checking the
time, I decide a quick shower and crashing for six hours will clear my mind of
Kris’ concerns so that I am ready for my new role as Russ’ girlfriend. A shiver
runs down my spine just thinking about him kissing me. Talk about awkward. Why
do I get the feeling that this is going to be the toughest job I’ve ever done?

Twenty
minutes before seven my phone vibrates. Only a small number of friends and
family have my personal cell phone number. I don’t even give out my real number
to men. Dating isn’t a priority in my life. There have been a few men who have
caught my attention, but I’m so focused on my job that their needs are way down
on my list of concerns.

I
groan and roll over to see what fool would be sending a message this early. A
freaking winky face beside Russ’ picture tells me that he is waiting outside
for me. Protocol for this kind of job dictates that he doesn’t have contact
with family so coming inside is off limits. I chunk my
iPhone
into the bottom of my suitcase and shove my prepaid work cell into my backpack.
I throw my long, dark brown hair into a scrunchy and pile it on top of my head.
Needing to look disheveled, I intentionally haven’t washed it in two days. My
work attire is trashy and revealing. I laugh thinking about how my pretentious
mother would freak out if she ever caught me dressed this way.

Tossing
my backpack over one shoulder, I lug my suitcase down the porch steps.
Approaching Russ’ GTO, I notice his lopsided grin before I stow the suitcase in
the back. When I get in the car he leans in with lips puckered and I actually
flinch away.

“What
the hell Russ?” I snap at his attempt to kiss me.

“Ah,
ah, ah, my name is
Rad
. You’re on the clock now so you are officially my
girlfriend. And any good girlfriend would give her man a kiss when she sees
him.” I tilt my head to the side giving him an appalled glare.

“Why
would she do that?”

“Because
she’s happy to see him,” he says matter-of-factly through a goofy smile, those
damn lips pressed together and eyes closed waiting for me to follow through
with his challenge.

Kris’
taunting from last night punches me in the throat and I swallow back the
flaming bile. I glance back at the house, wondering if Kris is awake and if she
can see us. Noticing that all the curtains are closed, I lean in really close
to Russ and just before pressing my lips to his I punch him in the gut…hard.

Grunting
and clutching his right side, he groans, “That is not nice Angel.”

“Whatever!
Don’t play that shit with me again
Ru
–Rad.” Crossing
my arms over my chest, I quickly use the correct name and threaten, “Any future
unnecessary kissing or groping, for that matter, will get you more of the same
treatment. Now, where are we going so damn early?”

Still
rubbing his stomach, he chuckles, starts the car and then backs out of the
driveway. Today’s plan is to integrate me into his life by having me seen at
his house and in his car. Hopefully enough eyes will notice us together and
spread the word back to Russ’ group. That way when I make my appearance
tomorrow night it won’t raise too many suspicions. After dropping my stuff off
at his house we drive down to the local Kroger’s and fill up the grocery cart
with tons of crap junk food–all for show of course because druggies don’t eat
properly when they do actually shop–but I sneak in an assortment of fresh
veggies and a couple of packs of chicken. For the most part, I eat clean and
the shit Russ is buying definitely is not part of a healthy lifestyle.

Returning
back to Russ’ house we quickly unload his brown bags and on the last return to
the car  a slow moving vehicle creeps by with a couple of guys staring a
hole through me. I flash my brilliant smile–aligned immaculately by wearing
braces for two years–and the two guys give me a lifted chin signaling that they
acknowledge me, but their stoic expressions don’t change in the least bit. Back
inside I let Russ know that my presence has been duly noted by his friends.

“That’s
it then. You,
Angel
are officially mine.”

“Angel?”

“Yeah,
that’s the best nickname I could come up with. Sending you in there with the
fake name that the Captain provided just don’t work for me.” Grinning, he
shakes his head as he thrusts an envelope at me.

“What’s
this?”

His
smile grows before saying, “
That
is you.”

I
rip through the tape and unfold the paperwork. At the top of the fake document
I read the name and glance back at Russ with the most disgusted look I can
muster. Not that it would really take much effort after reading that my name is
now something that I would slap the shit out of my mother for if she was this
cruel. With Haleigh Walker as my mother, that’s saying a lot. She’s a far
stretch from mother of the year.

“Fucking
douche,” I growl in complete disgust and slam the paperwork down onto the
countertop.

“It’s
okay. I won’t let anyone make fun of you–Huldah Johnson.” He barks out laughter
so obnoxious that for a brief moment I consider treating him as if he was the
one who picked out the damn name.

Chapter
Two

Pulling
my three day, unwashed hair into a loose braid, I randomly tug a few strands
out so that it gives me a messy look. I glop on the eyeliner in a thick line,
cake on the black eye shadow and then follow up it with a hooker-red lipstick.
I immediately smear it, rubbing off some so it matches the dark and dirty look
I’m going for. My knotted blue tank top hits right under my boobs, displaying
profound cleavage. The denim shorts I picked up at the local thrift store last
week already came appropriately stained and torn. That makes me really happy. I
loathe destroying totally good clothing just for shits and giggles. I finish
off my look with some shredded fishnet stockings, a leather cuff and short
black boots with spikes.
Look out, Atlanta drug scene, here I come
.

I
make my appearance in Russ’ kitchen, catching him shoveling a pile of nachos
into his mouth. A stupid grin breaks across his gorgeous face and I toss a
napkin at it before food falls out.

“Damn
babe, you look
hot
,” he blurts, emphasizing his appreciation by roaming
his eyes over my body repeatedly.

I
cross my arms over my chest and stab him with a fierce glare. “Dammit Russ, are
you going to be like this the whole time?”

“Like
what Sam?” Straight-faced, he holds his arms stretched out to his side, palms
up and his eyebrows sink down.

“The
comments, the devouring looks and the drooling,” I point at his chin.

He
lazily swipes the back of his hand across his mouth while his greedy eyes blink
rapidly, still drinking in the sight of me.

What
the hell
?

“Sorry,”
he mumbles through a stupid grin while shrugging one shoulder. Clearly his
heart is not in that apology because he continues staring at me like he wants
to do bad things to me.

“I
swear to all that is holy, if you keep this shit up they are not going to
believe that we are a couple after I beat the living hell out of you.”

Pissed
off, I stomp out of the kitchen feeling hostile toward Russ’ true thoughts
exposed through his unusual behavior. How the hell am I supposed to pull the
job off with him creeping me out the whole damn time?

After
sitting in the car alone for about ten minutes, I get my shit together and calm
down before he decides to join me. He doesn’t say a word until we are a couple
of miles from the drug house near the southern end of Atlanta.

“If
something goes down –”

I
cut him off. “I’m ready Russ.”

“Rad,”
he corrects.

“Yep.”

“Are
you going to stay mad at me all night?” He glances sideways at me.

Exhaling
slowly while staring out the side window, I shake my head. “Just tone it down.
I know they are expecting Rad and Angel to behave as lovers and I can do it–for
the job. But when it’s just us, I need you to be Russ–my best friend’s brother
and my sergeant.”

“You’re
right.” He sighs. “I crossed a line that makes you uneasy. I’m sorry, Sam. I’m
just a little on edge about you coming in on this one. This crowd isn’t just
pushers and users and this job is more dangerous than anything you’ve done
before, including Mad’s
fuckery
. The
Xkapz’s
are into some really fucked up shit with a gang out
of Mexico. I’m sure there’s more going on besides drugs, they just haven’t let
me in on it yet…” He trails off, but I know what he’s implying. He’s worried
about me.

Russ’
admission of guilt feels real.
Finally
.
So I
accept his apology, relax and focus on the details and rank in this particular
bunch of criminals and then break it all down mentally.

There
are a handful of minions that helicopter around The X’kapz (I’m still wondering
where they came up with this stupid name for a drug mafia) and a smaller group
of officers who strictly oversee the illegal business dealings. Users will
congregate around the trap house, but they will be forbidden in the big money
house (the drug lords’ houses). Getting in the grungy sell house or trap house,
as we refer to them, is easy as cake, but the houses with the actual Kings will
not be as simple as throwing a few ingredients together and topping it off with
ooey, gooey sweetness. No, we have our work cut out for us. This is the reason
the DTF assigned me to the case. I will have to be crafty and use my womanly
persuasions to finagle our invitation up each rung on the ladder to the top. It
will be a slow progression, but in this line of work, when is it not?

Russ
gave me the rundown of what to expect from tonight’s small gathering last week
when the Captain called me in to discuss my assignment change. Luckily, it
couldn’t have come at a better time. He’s right, my last assignment was rough
and near the end one of the lower level pushers was getting close to busting my
cover. If that would have happened a two year investigation could have been
blown to shit. Thankfully, Mark “Mad Hatter” Hatfield will be on the inside of
a cell for a couple of decades with the distribution and manufacturing charges,
on top of the other felonies he got popped with just before the administration
pulled me off the case. His general weirdness was getting completely out of
hand.

I
don’t know if Mad Hatter’s out of control drug usage is a contributor, but some
time away from the public might be a damn genius idea. That crazy motherfucker
was selling to kids in elementary school and training them on producing shake
‘n bake meth.

Good
riddance jerkoff
.

“Are
you feeling alright?” Russ’ concerned tone brings me out of my haze.

“Yeah,”
I nod, “Just getting all of my ducks in a row before we get there.” Taking in our
surroundings, I notice that we’re creeping down a dark street, dodging potholes
the size of a small car. “Damn, this side of town looks rough.”

Russ
laughs. “Just wait until you see the house. It’s a total shit hole. Not exactly
the kind of place you want to eat in.”

Now
this makes me laugh. Russ will eat anything, anywhere. The ten second rule
isn’t even in his vocabulary. If food hits the floor and he’s not hungry for it
at the time he will let it stay there before he decides that he is ready for
it. Then without a dust off or anything, he will pop that shit right into his
mouth. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Well, not exactly that extreme, but I’m
sure he would do it.
This place must really be bad
.

“I’ve
got the names and bios down, but who do you expect here tonight?” I ask
checking my reflection in the mirror on the sun visor one last time.

“You
can expect Decks’ full crew tonight. They know you’re coming with me and will
want to put you through the tests. Other than Lourdes, you shouldn’t have any problems
being accepted. She’s a total woman hater and you will be a prime target.” He
grins. “Just remember your role and let her believe that her title of Queen B
is secure.”

Rolling
my eyes, I say, “Got it. I’m playing bitch to some stupid chick who thinks her
blueblood ass is in charge.” I shake my head thinking about all the Queen B’s
I’ve come up against in the past. Each one was nothing but all mouth. A bunch
of empty threats and nasty looks don’t make you a queen in this game of
high-stakes chess. This one is the niece of the highest ranking officer, Nelson
Kennedy, the lord of the X’kapz cartel. I just wonder why her majesty chooses
to hang out at this shit hole when she is the top of the food chain. Like it or
not at some point this Queen B will challenge me, just like all the others.

“Lourdes
is feisty and vulgar.” He laughs. “You’ll get along like besties.” Facing
forward, he continues to smirk at his lame ass dig at me.

I
pin him with a look that he can’t resist peeking over at, and then follow it up
by snarling, “I really think you should just shut the fuck up and drive.”
I
give the idiot a hard time, but I’m really glad to have Russ with me.
Faking
a pout with his bottom lip poking, he answers my command by gunning the gas.