Resist Me(33)

“Coming!” Izzy sang, her shoes clicking against the wood floors as she moved closer.

I needed to calm myself. Murder wouldn’t be the best way to start the weekend.

As soon as she opened the door, I took quick stock of her appearance. She looked unharmed and calm, but maybe a little frustrated.

“Izzy, what the fuck is going on?” I barked, looking over her head to see a pair of boots resting on her coffee table. “What the hell is he doing here?” I touched her cheek, caressing her skin with the pad of my thumb.

“He’s harmless, James.” She looked at my face but didn’t make eye contact.

“Izzy.” I gripped the back of her neck, forcing her eyes to mine. “He’s not harmless. I know exactly who he is, and he’s leaving your house with or without my help.”

“No,” she pleaded, placing her hand on my chest.

“Yes, doll, he is.” I released her, grabbing her shoulders and picking her up as I moved her out of the way.

The door closed behind me, her heels clattering as she followed me. I rounded the corner, getting a full view of Flash leaning back on the couch, his arms outstretched and his feet up. “I think the lady asked you to leave,” I growled as I fisted my hands at my sides.

I didn’t want to spill blood and break shit in Izzy’s home. Breaking shit from hot fucking, I enjoyed. Doing it to beat some punk’s ass? Not so much.

“I came here to speak to you,” he answered as he rose to his feet and looked at Izzy before turning to me with a smile. “Man to man.”

I stepped closer to him, breaking his line of sight with Izzy. “I have nothing to say to a piece of shit like you.” My voice echoed in the house, the wood floors carrying it throughout the open space.

“There are things I need to explain,” he said.

“James,” Izzy begged, grabbing my arm from behind. “Just talk to him.” Her face was soft, all smartass gone. This was Izzy asking me to do something I didn’t want to do. Not one fucking bit.

I looked over my shoulder, staring in her eyes, and nodded. I turned back toward Flash. “You got five minutes and then I’m showing you the fucking door.”

“Outside.” He started to walk toward the French doors that led to a staircase to the backyard.

“Wait for me in your room,” I ordered, holding her by the arms. “If shit gets bad, I don’t want to worry about where you are.”

“James, really. I’m a big girl.” She smiled, crossing her arms over her chest.

“I never said you weren’t. This is for my sanity. I’ll let him speak his piece and I’ll fill you in when I come up.”

“I don’t like being told what to do,” she hissed, pulling away from my grip.

I rubbed my face. The woman could be trying at times. “I’m asking you to please do this for me.”

She nodded, glaring at me as she walked down the hallway, and disappeared in her bedroom. I made a beeline to the backyard, ready to get Flash the fuck gone.

“Make it quick and get the hell out,” I grunted as I descended the stairs and stopped in front of Flash. “You have two minutes to convince me why I shouldn’t beat the fuck out of you.”

“You don’t know who I am,” he growled, moving a step closer to me.

“I know exactly who you are.”

He shook his head and reached into his back pocket. “You don’t.”

“I know all I need to.” I kept my eyes trained on his hand, ready to fight back if he pulled a weapon.

“I know you’re law enforcement, James. DEA to be exact,” he replied as he pulled a black wallet from his pocket.

My stomach sank as he spoke. That information was a closely guarded secret. I wondered if he knew about Thomas.

“How do you know that?” I asked, stepping closer to him.

He flipped open the wallet, flashing an ID and badge at me. “I’m FBI,” he whispered. “Not many people know that about me. Not even Izzy. I live the life and I’m totally immersed.”

“Fuck,” I grumbled, raking my hands through my hair.

“I’m prospecting, trying to make a name for myself within the club. I’m not supposed to take a dominant position inside. I’m their ears and eyes on the inside.”

“How the fuck didn’t I know this?” I asked as my nostrils flared and my anger turned toward the law enforcement branch of the US government.

“My boss thought it would be better if I was treated like everyone else.” He swallowed, turning his back to me. “I only found out about you and Thomas”—he paused—“when Blue took Izzy out of the bar.”