Page 47 of Never Say Never

"Why do you think that?"

York sighed, his breath fanning against the nape of my neck. "I've been at this job for a long time. There are always signs." He rolled over to his side, taking his heat with him. "I tried to get them into protective custody, but with everything happening, the higher ups wanted more. We needed something concrete to hit the Vitales and the little tidbits of information wasn't enough."

"What if they testify?" I offered, knowing Marianna or her husband would never say another word. I flipped over to my back, watching York as he laid in my bed.

"No. She will not testify. I can't blame her, she has a family. We both know what these guys are like." He let out a dry laugh. "They aren't human."

I was used to people talking about my family in a bad way. We'd been called demons, scum, thugs, psychopaths, all of it. It barely ever bothered me. Hearing it from York after what we'd just done left a sour taste in my mouth.

"Or are they protecting their families the only way they know how?"

York turned to stare at me, his dark eyes searching my face. It felt as if he was trying to see the real me. Back peddling, I mentally reminded myself that I was playing a role.

"That's what they always say. I like to think that everyone has a reason."

"And you think they do?" York shook his head. "We've read the same cases. That family has no humanity."

"If the world was so black and white, we would be out of a job," I pointed out.

“Do you think so?” he mused.

We fell silent for a moment, neither one of us even moving. I wasn't sure what to say. York saw things one way, when I saw it the other. I knew it would never work. I wasn't looking for anything more than to bang my boss and I'd done it. So why in the fuck wasn't I kicking him out or insinuating that he needed to go?

The thought of him walking out right now made me physically ill.

"Look—"

"Maybe—"

We both started talking at once. I shut my mouth and gestured for him to keep going.

"I don’t know if you’re right or wrong. The only thing I do know is that if my informant bails, it’ll make things harder." York blew out a breath. "I feel like every step forward, we go back ten more. The tension out on the streets is thick. I don't feel safe sending the girls to school at this point. The Aceto's are making moves along with the Triads. The Irish mob is backing up the Vitales. There are more gangs entering New York in preparation for the all-out war. I want to get this taken care of before it gets to that point. Innocent lives will be sacrificed if we allow it to happen."

Nodding, I couldn't help but agree. I was doing everything in my power not to let it get there, but I couldn't explain that to him either.

"All we can do is what we can."

York sat up, his muscles flexing underneath his brown skin. I couldn't help but watch. My ass was exhausted but I wasn't down for the count just yet. Even now, after having him already, I wanted more. This was a dangerous slope. I was an addict and I wasn't certain I was ready to get clean just yet. Even if York wasn't good for me.

"Anything you need me to do?"

"No, I'll talk to them again. Hopefully, we can get something on the Vitales that will actually stick. Then I can get them in witness protection and make New York safer."

"Let me know any other way I can help," I said. I'd never betray my family, but a part of me genuinely wanted to help York. I knew how hard he worked and how much he sacrificed. If I could help him, I would.

"Thank you," York said.

"For fucking your brains out? Because if so, you can thank me in other ways." I winked up at him, admiring his body. I could easily stare at him in my bed all the time.

"No talking." He smiled at me and it was genuine. His shoulders were relaxed and for the first time since he stepped foot into my apartment, the fun York was out. "Talking to you is always easy. I wasn't certain about bringing work up when we're like this." He gestured between us with an air of awkwardness hanging over him.

"Freshly fucked? Or gearing up for another round?"

"Another round?" York asked. His brows nearly kissed his hairline. His tongue swiped over his bottom lip, tempting me further.

"Yeah, old man. You've had plenty of rest."

He groaned. "Don't call me old man."