Undercover Heat

Chapter 6: Canyon Takes Notice

POV: Reece

Screams.

People rush around.

Tires squeal—now sounding distant.

Joseph hurriedly stands, dragging me along with him.

He grips my hand tighter as a car guns its engine.

I look back to see a black car heading towards the red one. The cars look like they will collide until the driver of the black car stops.

Then, a female driver jumps out of the black car and starts shooting. A bullet hit the building to the left of the office.

Joseph pulled me to right and into a coffee shop next to the office. We rushed to the back, past hiding customers.

Joseph pushes me into a tiny closet with cleaning supplies in it and slams the door behind him.

"Oh crap," I say when he pulls a gun from the back of his waistband.

He ignores me, checking the magazine. Then, as he points it towards the floor, Joseph stares me down and says, "Don't leave. I'll knock five times when I come back."

I nod.

Joseph glances at the utility cart. "Push that against the door when I leave and hide behind something."

Just like that, Joseph was gone.

I stare at the door for a few minutes before I realize what he told me to do. Once I finish pushing the large utility cart against the door, I move behind it.

Father flashes into mind. Is someone after him? What would happen if someone killed Father? I would be free.

Briefly, I close my eyes as guilt hits my heart. I should be terrified that Father could be injured, not planning my life on his death.

A knock on the door makes me jump.

There's a second knock.

Pause.

I stand and stare at the door.

Another knock.

Pause.

At the fifth knock, I move the cart to the other side of the wall and unlock the door.

Joseph enters and closes the door behind him. "From what I can tell, it's some street battle. The police are out there now, so we'll stay here for a few."

I take a deep breath as wild thoughts of a mafia life Alex talked about stopped racing through my head.

"Are you okay?"

'Tell me, Joseph' I want to tell him, 'how am I supposed to feel right now?

Joseph leans closer to me and touches my arm. His warm touch makes me shiver. I look down and hug myself.

"I am so fine," I sarcastically tell him, "Every day, I miss lunch for a street fight."

When he moves his thumb against my cheek, my body shakes. No, I've never seen that kind of stuff. Feeling anger makes me shake more. What a sheltered life I have. How stupid am I to be the good daughter who goes from school to home and avoids having a life because Father wants me to do so?

"Come here," Joseph says, pulling me into an embrace.

He felt so hot and hard that I melted into his embrace. The smell of his scent made me feel safe. Tears didn't appear. I exhale.

This didn't happen because Father is a mafia boss. It can happen to anyone. None of the people running from the shooting were in the mob.

Joseph rubs my back, then squeezes me. "Reece, do you have a nickname?"

The question caught me off guard. I grin and move out of his embrace. "Are we playing twenty-one questions?"

He shrugs. "We're in a utility closet, waiting for the police to clear the scene. It's the best time to get to know each other."

I laugh when he grins.

"Are you sure okay now?"

My body trembles as I move away from him. However, I feel better.

I try to sound mysterious when I answer his question because I want him to think men are chasing me. It's stupid, I know, but he's hot, and he probably has women all over the place. Finally, I tell him, "Someone calls me 'Ree'"

"Ree?" A smile teases his lips. "Is she your high school best friend?"

I turn, squinting at him, "Who's clairvoyant?"

He shrugs, grinning wider.

I look away, feeling embarrassed.

Joseph closes the gap between us and places his thumb under my chin. Then, slowly, he lifts my face until I make eye contact with him.

He caresses my cheek and winks at me.

"Everyone calls you Joey, right?" I softly ask.

Joseph c***s his head, staring at me with a frown on his face.

Someone knocks on the door, interrupting us.

“Sir, this is Ronnie, the manager," the stranger says, “You wanted me to tell you when the police are gone."

***

"Are you feeling okay now?"

Joseph and I enter my office after leaving the coffee shop.

He closes my office door and looks at my salad and water bottle in the chair next to him. "You missed lunch."

"It's fine," I say, watching him place the items on my desk.

"You have to eat."

"I will."

"Now."

“I've just seen a shootout. Lunch isn't high on the list."

Joseph sits down and motions towards my desk. "I'll leave after you finish your lunch."

"Mr. Young won't like that."

He shrugs. "Then you should start eating."

Slowly, I walk around my desk and sit. I can feel Joseph staring at me. That fact makes me bite my bottom lip. Nervousness runs through me. How can I eat with him watching me?

Before I add my dressing to my salad, I ask, "Do want to share?"

Joseph waves his hand.

As I eat, there's silence.

He studies me.

When I try to think of something to say, my mind goes blank. The fear I felt outside and in the coffee shop has ceased. A beautiful feeling of warmth and security calms me. I'm not naive. When a man like Joseph saves you, it's easy to feel that beautiful security.

I meet his stare as I chew. His blue eyes are so intense that I'm worried. Finally, after I swallow, I inquire, "Do you think I'm going to choke?"

He laughs. "My apologies."

Joseph doesn't stop staring.

I'd love to feel these emotions all the time. What's it like to have a strong, tough man ready to protect you and fight for you?

"What?" Joseph interrupts the silence.

I frown.

He nods at me. "You frowned."

'I need your help, Joseph. Please help me escape hell.' That's what I wish I could tell him. But, instead, I look away and remain silent.

"You should be on the security team instead of maintenance," I tell him instead, "You're great at making people feel safe and protected."

Joseph sounds distant as he remarks, "Protect and serve. That's what I do."

He stands to leave.

I hurriedly stand as I wring my hands. "If I'm able to get you moved to the security team, will you agree to help a young woman trapped in the Sweet family and desperate for freedom?"

Joseph's blue eyes narrow as he squints at me. He looks concerned and intrigued. "Is this woman being held captive?"

"Yes and no," I shrug. My voice sounds breathless as I explain, "She doesn't want to be part of this life, but her father won't let her leave."

"Her father?"

"Canyon," I quickly answer.

When he walks around my desk, standing in front of me.

As I look away, I take a deep breath to ignore the s****l desire his presence creates.

Joseph asks, "Is she part of a trafficking ring?"

"Is who part of a trafficking ring?"

I gasp and step away as I turn to see Eddie walking up. How did I not hear the door open?

Joseph told him, "Her high school friend, right? The one who calls you Ree?"

As he stares at me, I glance at him and nod. Then, quickly, I tell him, "Kimberly."

"Let's go, man." Eddie walks out the door. "Mr. Young wants to meet with us—you've got your first job."

Joseph looks from Eddie to me. Then, when Joseph backpedals, he looks worried.