Page 35 of A Love Bite
She sighs and purses her lips. “Jake, if you know something, you need to tell me. I can handle it.”
I look around, ensuring we’re alone on the street before I speak again. “All right, but not here. Let’s go somewhere we can talk privately.”
She nods reluctantly, and we walk together to a small park nearby. Finding a secluded bench, we sit down, and I turn to face her.
“Alex, there’s a lot you don’t know about this world,” I begin carefully. “The people behind these attacks, they’re not just criminals. They’re part of something bigger, something that operates in the shadows.”
She listens intently, her eyes searching mine. “Go on.”
I hate that there’s a note of suspicion in her voice, but I can’t blame her. She has to be wondering how I know this.
I take a deep breath, stalling, trying to figure out how much to reveal. “There are rival groups vying for control of the southside. They’re powerful and ruthless. They don’t just play by the rules you’re used to.”
“Rival groups?” she asks, her brow furrowing. “Like gangs?”
I nod slowly. “In a way, yes, but more organized, more dangerous. They’re not afraid to use violence to get what they want.”
She looks down, processing my words. “So what do we do? Does the police know about this? How do we stop them?”
“The police? No, I don’t think so. As for us… we need to gather more information, but carefully,” I say. “And we need to protect the people who are at risk, like Opal and Amelia. This isn’t just about uncovering the truth. It’s about keeping people safe. That’s most important.”
She nods slowly, her determination returning. “I understand, but I still need to report on this, Jake. People need to know what’s happening. They went after Opal for whatever reason. They went after Amelia. Who knows who they might target next?”
“I know,” I reply, “and I’ll help you, but we have to be smart about it. We can’t rush in without knowing what we’re up against.”
“All right,” she says, her voice steady. “We’ll do this together.”
I swallow hard and can’t resist myself. I take her hand in mine and lay my other hand on top. “I won’t allow them to come after you,” I say earnestly.
“I’ve been targeted before because of investigations,” she says. “I have a gun. I’ve tried to convince Opal to have one, but she didn’t feel comfortable with one.”
“You know how to use it?”
She narrows her eyes. “Of course I do!”
“Good. Then don’t hesitate to use it if you need to.”
Alex squeezes my hand. “I don’t know if I should trust you… but I do for some reason.”
“Is your gut normally a good judge of character?”
Alex smirks. “Usually.”
I cup her chin and slowly press my lips to hers. My arms automatically wrap around her, and I tuck her onto my lap. I would take her right here and now if she would let me. I wouldn’t care who would see, but I doubt she would go for that.
Reluctantly, I break off the kiss. Hand in hand, we stand and start to walk back toward the city. It’s not the full truth, but it’s a start.
The tension from our conversation starts to dissipate. I’m relieved that Alex seems to understand the gravity of the situation, and I’m determined to help her navigate these dangerous waters.
Suddenly, out of the shadows, a figure lunges at us. I barely have time to react before we’re face to face with a man whose eyes are filled with malice.
“Stay out of this,” he growls, glaring at both of us. His accent is thick, Eastern European, just like Opal described. “This is none of your business.”
Before I can move, Alex reaches into her purse and pulls out a small handgun. “Back off,” she demands, her voice steady despite the fear in her eyes.
The man moves quickly, faster than I anticipated. He swats the gun out of Alex’s hand with a swift motion, sending it skidding across the pavement. He then turns his attention back to us, his expression menacing.
“Leave now, and maybe you’ll live to see another day,” he threatens, stepping closer.