Dirty Money (Bad Money #2) by Ali Parker Page A

him.
    Fuck that.
    "I had to make sure he was hurt enough to never want anything to do with me again, Marcus." She leaned down and picked up a napkin off the floor, lifting it to her pretty face and blowing hard. "He and I had started to fall in love, at least I think we did. Victor said he would trade Jon for me."
    "But he already had you and me as well." Marcus reached over and grasped her thigh softly.
    "He has us in theory. He wants me fully, but like any man, he's only saying that until he believes that he has me. Then he'll be done and onto his next victory." Kate shrugged and blew her nose again.
    "You'll never be his as long as I'm alive. You hear me? I would never put up with that shit. Ever."
    Kate turned and reached out, brushing her hand along his face. "I love you. Take me home so I can get in a hot bath and wash the feeling of his hands off of me."
    "Don't let him touch you like that again. I'll kill him."
    "Not if I get to him first." Her smile seemed forced, but Marcus let her have the last word. She removed her hand from him and sat back, turning to look out the window as the world went on unsuspectingly.
    He turned on some soft rock music and took her free hand in his, lifting it to his mouth and kissing her fingers as they drove back to the center of the party in the French Quarter.
    Jon had to be crushed completely. Marcus almost felt like his soul was ripped from his chest and pounded to a million pieces in front of him. The cop was lost on Kate, stuck on how to stop loving her when it was seemingly impossible. The fucker had gotten a hold of Kate's police records with most likely not much effort.
    If he was walking away from everything then why would he need to read her shit first? It made no sense.
    Anger burned deep in Marcus's belly as he turned down Bourbon Street. It was almost three in the morning and yet the streets were still packed. He honked at a few idiots before pulling in front of the club.
    "You want me to park and come up for a while?" He hoped like hell she wouldn't want him to. He wasn't sure he could handle much more time around her as raw as he was. A bottle of jack and a long shower called his name.
    "No. I need a hot bath and bed. Catch up with me tomorrow."
    "You sure?" He reached for her, pulling her to him as his fingers snaked into her hair. "I can come up and take care of you. Help you forget everything."
    "I know you can, but I wouldn't ask that of you." She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his, the kiss sweet and yet firm. She breathed in deeply and brushed her fingers along his neck. It was a softness she had never shown him. He didn't want to see a minute more of it or it might change things between them. He was fighting against those feelings as it was.
    Kate shifted back and moved toward the door. "You working tomorrow?"
    "Yes. I'll be here in the early afternoon for inventory. Let's lock down the timing of this trip to LA so we can get the place covered."
    "Sounds good. Thank you."
    "For what?"
    "For being you." She got out of the car and walked through the crowd to the door to her apartment.
    Marcus watched closely, almost wanting someone to mess with her. The need to fuck someone or something up tore at him terribly. There was no way he could go home just yet. He was going to find out what the cop wanted with the file and get it back. Kate already had enough baggage, she didn't need anything else coming out of left field.
    Marcus planned to make sure that it didn't.
     
     
     
    Jon's house was dark when Marcus pulled up, but that didn't mean much. Parking the car, Marcus got out and walked to the front door, turning to look around the street to ensure that no one was watching him. He knocked twice and got no response. Either Jon was asleep or not interested in company. Marcus leaned over and pulled out a credit card, popping the lock quickly. He walked in and closed the door behind him, stopping long enough to let his eyes become acclimated to the room.
    Knowing