Skirt Steak (Grade-A Beefcakes 5)

“How long’s this been going on?” Liam asked, his voice deep, almost a growl.

Tommy shrugged. “Recent. How long you two been banging her?”

“Where’s the proof?” Liam asked.

He tipped his chin, indicating the plastic container on the table that had the things from his pockets when he was brought in. “She texted me earlier. Told me to watch out for you.”

I handed him the phone and he ran his fingers over it, then dropped it on the table. Liam picked it up, read it, then handed the cell to me.

* * *

Jill: They’ll come after you. Run.

* * *

I glanced at Liam, his jaw clenched, eyes narrowed. Fuck. Jill had warned Tommy the sheriff’s department was closing in? Telling him to flee the cops?

I stood, loomed over Tommy. His dark eyes widened, but he grinned even bigger. I wanted to punch the fucker, but I had to deal with Jill. Liam could get the pleasure of tossing him into a cell.

I’d fallen for it. Again. Jill wasn’t so sweet after all. Oh, her pussy tasted like candy, but that wasn’t all I wanted from her. I’d hoped for her heart, but all I got was the shaft. At least this time I learned the truth early enough. I could recuse myself. Get one of the ADAs to take her case when she was brought before the judge. Because Jill was going down, and it wasn’t to her knees to suck me off.

JILL

* * *

The car was packed. I filled two beat up suitcases with clothes and things I’d need wherever I settled. The cash from the ATM along with my credit cards would have to hold me over until I found a job. I’d head south, no sense staying in cold any longer than I had to. Arizona, maybe. It wouldn’t be snowing outside like it was here. The wind rattled the shutters and I knew we’d have inches overnight. Time to hit the road before it got even worse.

I set the thermostat down and ate whatever random bits of food were left in the fridge for dinner. I was tugging on my coat when the doorbell rang. After the awful men cornered me at Cassidy’s, I was beyond nervous. When I saw it was Porter through the peephole, I was relieved. Well, relieved I wasn’t going to be killed. But I didn’t want to see him. How was I going to say goodbye? How was I going to tell him I loved him too much to be with him? My heart actually hurt as I opened the door.

He stepped in and I closed the door behind him, a few flakes following.

“Hi,” I said lamely.

“When were you going to tell us, Jill?” Porter asked.

I stared at him wide eyed. He knew I was leaving?

“Um, well, I…”

“You weren’t going to, were you?” He sounded angry. He looked angry. There was no tender smile, eyes that held love, heat.

Now, he was tense. Hard. Cold, and not from the growing storm outside.

I shook my head.

“I thought you were The One.” He ran his hand through his damp hair, the snow that had collected on the walk from his SUV having melted. “Fuck, was I wrong. I fell for it. I fell for you.”

Tears filled my eyes at his harsh words. It was better he be mad. It would be easier for him to move on if he hated me. I hadn’t done anything wrong… yet. But that didn’t matter.

“I’m sorry,” I replied meekly.

“No, you’re not. You

’re on your own. No, you’ve got Tommy. Don’t come to me when the shit hits the fan, sweetness. Because it will.”

With that he tugged open the door and left. I watched as he stormed down my walk and climbed into his huge SUV and drove away.

I closed the door, leaned against it and slid down to the floor and cried.