22. Chapter 22

It didn't take long for Beck to find Jessica's address, even if it was done so reluctantly. But I didn't want to call her and potentially compromise our location. And she only lives an hour away, so speaking to her in person is my best option.

Kacey takes the driver"s seat and brings his US Marshal badge with him. He may say it"s just decoration now but it's still good to have if anything happens.

I force myself to relax as much as I can in the passenger seat, but the tension through my whole body won't let up and I find myself tapping my fingers against the seat as I look at Kacey. His five o'clock shadow is now more of a seven day growth and it suits him, making his sharp cheekbones stand out.

A smile twitches at his lips and his muscles flex as he changes gears in the SUV. I gnaw on my lip as the move heats me up a little and I have to tell my needy hormones to shut the fuck up.

"What made you become a US Marshal?" I ask softly and he looks at me in surprise before focusing back on the road, obviously not having expected that particular question.

"It"s not something I talk about much," he admits, his voice low and thoughtful. "But I guess it all goes back to my dad."

I nod, encouraging him to continue, curious to learn more about the man beside me.

"He was a marshal also," Kacey says, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. "A damn good one too. He was all I had growing up after my mom died of cancer. He always talked about serving and protecting, about making a difference in people"s lives. I guess I wanted to follow in his footsteps, to honor his memory."

"How did he die?" I inquire gently.

Kacey"s grip on the steering wheel tightens imperceptibly at the question, a shadow passing over his features as he navigates the road ahead. For a moment, it seems like he"s grappling with how to respond, his thoughts drifting back to a painful memory.

"He died in the line of duty," Kacey finally answers, his voice tinged with sadness. "There was a shootout during a raid, and he... he didn"t make it."

I feel a pang of sympathy for Kacey, knowing the weight of losing a loved one in such a tragic way. "I"m so sorry," I murmur, my heart aching for the loss he"s endured.

Kacey offers me a small, grateful smile before returning his focus to the road. "Thanks," he replies quietly. "It"s tough, losing someone you look up to, someone who was your hero..."

I nod in understanding, unable to find the right words to express my empathy for his pain. Instead, I reach out and place a reassuring hand on his knee.

Kacey glances at my hand on his knee and he covers it with his own, offering a faint smile of appreciation before focusing back on the road. The steady hum of the engine fills the silence between us as I gather the courage to share my own story.

"I don"t remember my dad," I begin softly. "He died when I was only a few years old, a heart attack in his sleep. Apparently, he just went to sleep and didn"t wake up again."

Kacey"s expression softens with sympathy as he listens, his hand gently squeezing mine in a silent gesture of support.

"Most of my early memories consist of being looked after by Colt, who was only a couple of years older than me," I continue, a wistful smile crossing my lips. "My mom had two jobs, worked hard, and bent over backwards to make sure we were provided for. Colt started helping with odd jobs when he was old enough, but he was only a teenager."

I pause, reminiscing about the simpler times of my childhood before the darkness crept in.

"I was only around twelve or thirteen when mom started dating this new guy," I continue, and I shudder at the memory, "He was a creep, though, and I never liked him. He scared me, and I know Colt said something to her, but I just couldn"t..."

My voice trails off momentarily as I recall the painful events that unfolded.

"Anyway, she made the mistake of getting pregnant," I say, my tone laced with bitterness. "That"s what he called it, a mistake, because unbeknownst to us, we were just entertainment to him, a little side piece while he went home to his traditional little Italian mafia family."

"He ended up killing her one night during an argument while Colt and I hid," I continue, my voice faltering slightly with emotion. "He beat her, then stabbed her before shooting her, even though she was pregnant with his child. He died while resisting arrest."

I take a deep breath as I meet Kacey"s gaze, his eyes filled with a blend of concern and compassion.

"His death wasn"t nearly as slow and painful as it should have been, unfortunately," I add with a sigh. Hello damage. "But it did lead us to the foster home where I met the guys."

As I finish my story, Kacey lifts my hand from his knee, pressing a tender kiss to my palm. Letting go of my hand, he reaches over and resting his hand on my thigh, squeezing it gently. His silent gesture of comfort fills me with warmth.

The journey continues in silence for a while, the rhythmic sound of the engine providing a backdrop to our thoughts. Eventually, Kacey breaks the silence, his voice cutting through the quiet of the car.

"So, what"s the plan when we get there?" he asks.

A mischievous grin spreads across my face as I glance at him. "Well, I"m not about to knock on the door, so maybe don"t park in her driveway," I suggest with a playful tone. "And how lightly can you walk? Because if you clomp along, then you may need to wait in the car."

Kacey barks a laugh at my remark, shaking his head. "Not fucking likely," he retorts. "There is no way I"m letting you go in there alone."

I tsk at him playfully. "You know that just makes me want to do it even more, right?" I tease, enjoying the banter between us.

He shoots me a glare in return, but I can see the amusement twinkling in his eyes, and I grin at him.

"We will sneak around the house, and hopefully she won"t hear us enter from the back," I explain, my tone turning more serious. "I don"t want to give her a chance to call for backup or even be able to reach for a weapon. Though if she"s worth the badge she carries, then she probably keeps one close at all times anyway."

Kacey hums in acknowledgment, his hand squeezing gently on my thigh once again. I can"t help but be distracted by the sensation, the warmth of his touch and the brush of his fingers where they are wrapped toward my inner thigh sends liquid heat to my core.

He needs to stop doing that if he wants to keep asking questions because it"s very distracting. I swear they"ve all turned me into a horny little bitch.

I must make a sound because he shoots me a look full of heat. "Keep moaning softly like that and we will be making an extra stop so I can fuck you again. Is that pussy needy for my cock again, little tiger?"

A chuckle escapes me but it"s low and breathy because let"s face it, the answer is yes. "Let's see how tonight goes. If you let me take the lead and don't interfere, I might even suck your cock on the drive back," I reply coyly, meeting his gaze with a playful glint in my eyes.

Kacey grins, his hand tightening on my thigh. "I like the sound of that," he says, his voice low and husky.

I bite my lip, unable to suppress a smirk at his tone. But then we are turning onto the street Jessica's house is on, and I let all other thoughts melt away. "Pull over here," I instruct, motioning to the curb a few houses down from hers.

Kacey nods, smoothly maneuvering the SUV to the side of the road and cutting the engine. I pull my phone from my pocket and quickly switch it to silent mode, ensuring that we won"t be interrupted while either sneaking up on Jessica or during our conversation. Kacey follows suit, taking his cues from me, before we step out of the vehicle.

We aren"t exactly dressed for covert operations, but all I want to do is catch her unaware. I glance at Kacey, his sharp features illuminated by the faint glow of the streetlights, and a sense of determination settles over me. When we leave here tonight, I'm just hoping the threat of the FBI isn't still hanging over us.