Protector: City of Sin Read online

  Protector

  City of Sin - Book Two

  Jenny Lynn

  The characters in this series are not based on any other individuals; living, dead, or fictional. Any resemblance is purely coincidental. The author retains all rights over the works, no parts may be used or reproduced without permission, except in the case of brief quotations for review purposes.

  If you’re a book thief, I hope you stub your toe.

  Copyright © by Jenny Lynn

  Prologue

  Beckett

  I watched him from the shadows, ready to spring into action. My muscles were coiled tight, like a predator lying in wait, ready to take down its prey. There was a natural rhythm to what I did, it matched my pulse and breathing. Everything inside me worked together in perfect balance, counting down the seconds until it was time.

  Tonight’s unlucky target was Billy McAfree, a drug dealer who had been working his way up the underground hierarchy in Vegas and onto my radar. He got people hooked on drugs, sold them more than they could afford, then he called in “favors” that often turned helpless and desperate people into unwilling criminals.

  Their addiction led them down a slippery slope of filth, into a pit of oblivion so deep they couldn’t climb out - and at the top of that slope giving them a push was Billy. He had six men working beneath him, selling tainted drugs to vulnerable addicts. If I took out Billy, his entire little operation would fold under him. I had been waiting for my moment, and tonight was the night.

  Billy had been pacing up and down the alley for twenty minutes. Finally - a car appeared, slowly coasting past, then the window rolled down and a duffel bag was passed to him. He took it, the window went back up, and the car kept moving.

  I checked the license plate, ARV267, and made a mental note. I would look into it later. Right now, Billy had all of my attention. His time was up, and I was going to be the one to end him. I jumped down from the ledge where I had been hiding in the shadows and dropped in front of him, rising to my feet. His eyes widened; he knew who I was. Good. I’d rather skip the introductions.

  “Fuck!” Billy gasped. He clutched the bag so tightly his knuckles turned white.

  “It’s over, Billy,” I stepped towards him.

  He turned and ran. Coward. I hated it when they ran. They know who I am, and what I’m capable of. Do they think I’m afraid of a bit of fucking cardio? In an instant I was chasing after him, I grabbed his arm before he left the alley and slammed him hard against the brick wall.

  “You’re not getting away from me, not this time Billy. I know that you’ve been-”

  A faint melody cut me off, playing from my back pocket. My phone was ringing. Didn’t I turn it off earlier? Damnit. I reached up and tapped the Bluetooth in my ear under the mask, covering Billy’s mouth firmly with my hand.

  “What is it?” I snapped at whoever was calling me this late.

  I should have let it go to voicemail, but Beckett Carter was a respected billionaire and businessman - he needed to be available for urgent matters relating to his empire. I had to at least pretend I gave a shit.

  “Hey, it’s me,” Ella’s sweet voice filled my ears.

  “Is everything alright?” I asked her. She knew what I was doing right now, it must be an emergency if she was calling when I was out on patrol.

  “Everything’s fine,” she replied sweetly. “I was just wondering if you could pick something up when you’re done.”

  My grip on Billy tightened as he squirmed to break free.

  “I’m sort of in the middle of something,” I told her through clenched teeth.

  “It’s okay, honest,” Billy gasped, taking advantage of the distraction to wiggle out of my grasp like the slimy worm he was. “Take your time.”

  “Sorry, sorry,” Ella sighed. “You’re still... working? I thought you’d be done by now. I was waiting up for you and wanted a snack, so I poured a bowl of cereal and realized there’s no milk in your fridge. Could you-”

  “I kind of have bigger problems right now,” I told her as Billy’s hand snuck into his pocket. He was about as subtle as a firecracker. Billy pulled out a knife - a bad choice on his end. I gripped his wrist and twisted until it snapped. He screamed, and in my frustration, it felt good to hear. Ella; the only woman I’ve ever let get close enough to see my darkness. What was I going to do with her?

  “Okay, so I’ll see you soon?” I could practically picture her smiling, amused with this little game of hers.

  “See you soon,” I told her.

  I spun Billy towards the ground while he continued to writhe and moan, pinning his arms behind him and fastening them with a zip tie. I ended the call then dragged him and the duffel bag back towards the street.

  “Look, man,” Billy pleaded. “Let me go. I’ll give you anything you want. Cash, guns, information. Anything.”

  “You have nothing I want.”

  Sirens in the distance. Perfect. I ran out onto the street towards a stop sign. I used another zip tie to fasten Billy to the pole along with the bag that I was sure contained his drug supply. Time was ticking, there was choreography to what I did. Just because I operated outside the law, it didn’t mean I had no structure or rules.

  A few pedestrians noticed the commotion and took out their phones. They were seeing the Vegas Phantom in action tonight, an exciting story to share with their friends I’m sure. With Billy secured, I darted back through the alley towards my motorcycle. I slipped on my helmet, concealing my mask, then pulled into traffic. I blended right into the bustle and chaos, letting the crowded city swallow me up, making my way back home. Darkness and secrecy were tools of the trade, my ultimate disguise. I was no one and everyone at the same time.

  In the elevator up to my penthouse, my body was humming. Another successful night. The police will have arrived on scene and found Billy with the evidence all laid out for them like a present courtesy of me. Tonight was flawless - almost. Ella should have known better than to call me tonight.

  The elevator doors opened and I pulled off my mask, then my shirt, my bare skin warm and damp with sweat. I walked towards the kitchen island where she was perched eating dry cereal and waiting for me. She was wearing one of my t-shirts and a smile that spread across her face like a sunrise. Soft and glowing. She was mine, and she knew better. I slammed a carton of milk down on the counter, raising an eyebrow at her.

  “You know not to call me when I’m out on patrol, Ella.” My voice was low, a warning.

  Ella swung her dangling legs from side to side, grinning at me.

  “I know - it’s just that, Beckett you take so long these days. Do you think it’s possible you’re getting a bit rusty? I mean, how long does it take to stop just one little drug dealer?”

  “Rusty?” I stepped closer. “Oh, I took care of him. And I still have more than enough energy to punish you for what you did tonight.”

  Ella slid off the counter, watching me carefully, her beautiful eyes sparkling.

  “Oh yeah?” she taunted. “Well, you’ll have to catch me first!”

  She broke into a sprint and sped down the hallway giggling. Ella James, always pushing my buttons. The only one who knows who I really am, and the only one that can light a fire in me. She challenged me and made me feel alive. I could never get enough of her.

  I smiled, gave her a head start, and then I chased her. I had new prey now. When I caught her, I would remind her exactly what my body was capable of. Pain and pleasure. Ella was the only one who knew the truth about me. Soon I would hear her scream my name, my real name, the syllables like music spilling out from between her soft lips.

  1

  Ella

  I existed in two worlds at once; walking a fine line between light an
d darkness. I spent the weekend with Beckett again, a man no one knew I was dating. A man the world knew as a successful businessman, wealthy, handsome and a generous philanthropist. Well respected. Only I knew the other side of him; the side that chased down and brought criminals to justice when they lingered just outside the reach of the law. The man who was capable of death, but made me feel so alive.

  I worried a bit less now about Beckett than I used to. He was strong, he was resourceful, and most importantly, he always came back to me. When I knew he was out on a mission I always waited up for him, no matter how late, even if he told me to go to sleep. He always came back home wound tight like a spring, and I knew that I could be his release.

  I shouldn’t have secretly turned his phone on before he left last night. I knew he’d be mad if it rang in the middle of his patrol, but I just couldn’t help myself. Beckett was always so serious, which made teasing him incredibly tempting. I wanted to playfully engage his dark side, and I succeeded.

  Beckett chased me from room to room through his vast penthouse, my heart was racing with the instinctual rush that comes from being pursued. When he finally caught me, I struggled against him even though I knew there was no escape once he had me where he wanted me. Beckett quickly bent me over his knee, yanked down my underwear as I blushed and held my breath, and then he spanked me.

  I gasped, the sting of his palm sending electricity through me five times until my skin was tingling and I was squirming against him. We had a safe word; I rarely used it. Pain. Pleasure. With Beckett, the division between the two became thick and cloudy. Intoxicating. He suddenly rolled me onto the floor, pinning me beneath his strong frame as I looked up into his searing gaze. He pulled down his pants with barely restrained urgency and fucked me senseless against the cold hardwood floor. This was what I wanted, what my body had been craving as I counted down the hours since he left. I was his, all of me, and surrender felt better than anything. When I gave up control, I felt blissfully free.

  The memory of the carnal way he screwed me last night brought a blush to my cheeks even now in the office, where I sat at my desk with a pen between my lips. I shifted in the chair, my ass still sensitive from my punishment. A reminder of Beckett that was hidden under my clothes. He was my secret, in the same way that I was his.

  When we first started dating he set my expectations and told me he could never give me a normal relationship, that it was too dangerous because of what he did. None of it mattered to me. I didn’t need a label, I didn’t need the world to know I was with Beckett Carter. I knew, and what we had was the most thrilling thing that had ever happened to me. If secrecy was the price I needed to pay I would pay it willingly.

  I checked the clock; it was almost two. Time to head over to the press conference, get a quote and a few photos, file my story then head home. I loved being a reporter in Las Vegas, no two days were ever the same. Today they were announcing the appointment of a new chief of police after the former chief’s retirement, a big task in sin city. Whoever it was, they were going to have their work cut out for them.

  I gathered my things and headed out of the air-conditioned office into the dry Vegas heat, jumped onto transit then was on my way to the LVPD precinct. I got there just in time to join a group of other reporters and a select few members of the public, all crowded in the main lobby where a podium had been set up. I got my recorder ready, elbowed my way to the front and took out my notepad. All around me was the sound of multiple conversations taking place at once mingling in the room, idle chatter before the main event.

  The conversations suddenly turned to hushed whispers as Barry Goodwin, our smooth-talking Mayor, approached the podium. He was followed closely by a tall man with a thick mustache and hair greying at the temples, who I assumed must be the new chief. Mayor Goodwin cleared his throat then tapped the microphone. Showtime.

  “I appreciate the turnout today to welcome our new Chief of Police. As everyone knows, the safety of our beautiful city has been and continues to be a priority of mine. The Las Vegas Police Department is kept busy, but thanks to their dedication our streets are safer than they have ever been before.”

  I had to bite my lip to not let a curt laugh slip out. Many of the cops here were either getting bribes or looked the other way. It was hard not to think that everyone who worked in close proximity to criminal activity was for sale in sin city. Everyone except for the small few who couldn’t be bought, like Beckett.

  “With over thirty years of service under his belt, Frank Berkley is a natural leader with incredible instincts when it comes to staying one step ahead of the criminals who want to get a foothold in our city. To them I say - not in Las Vegas, you won’t. Without further delay, I turn it over to Frank Berkley, your new Chief of Police.”

  “Thank you, everyone, for joining us today, and for your introduction Mr. Mayor. I’m honored to step into the role of Chief of Police for the Las Vegas Police Department. I was born and raised in this city, and I understand the unique challenges that exist here. I worked as a beat cop for twenty-five years before being promoted to the role of Detective where I oversaw a number of this city’s biggest cases. Now, I look forward to the new challenge of running the force. I’m not a man for long speeches, I’ve always been more of a listener than a talker, so I would now like to open the floor to questions.”

  A row of reporters immediately shoved their microphones forward, shouting their questions. Staying calm and composed, Berkley gave a succinct answer each time. It was like a tennis match, back and forth.

  “What is your main priority as Chief of Police?”

  “Forming a task force to specifically address the issue of organized crime in this city.”

  “How do you respond to the accusation that a number of cops in this city take bribes?”

  “We have a very hardworking and dedicated police force who put their lives on the line each and every day. Anyone found to be in violation of either the law or our code of ethics will face repercussions.”

  “Do you have an update on Marco Venetti’s appeal?”

  “I’m afraid I can’t comment on the specifics of that case.”

  “What about the masked vigilante known as the Vegas Phantom. Are you any closer to catching him?”

  “The official mandate is to arrest the vigilante on sight, so he can be officially charged.”

  Good luck with that, I thought. But deep in the pit of my stomach, a seed of worry had planted itself. Beckett was careful, but what if he made a mistake one day? What if they caught him? What if...

  “How do you respond to recent statistics that indicate crime is on the rise in Las Vegas?”

  “We will work harder, longer and with a greater focus to keep our city safe for residents and visitors alike.”

  I leaned forward, finally catching Berkley’s eye. My turn, my topic. “Sex crimes and trafficking continue to be a problem in Nevada. Will the growing numbers of missing women in Las Vegas be a priority under your direction?”

  “I’m aware of the issue, and I assure you that it will be a priority for our vice task force. Rescuing victims and bringing those who exploit them to justice is something I feel strongly about. We have time for one last question.”

  Before anyone could throw out a soft, easy question I shouted out another one that had been burning inside my mind.

  “What was done with the funds donated to the LVPD by the Venetti family, knowing now that these were likely proceeds of organized crime?”

  Berkley held me in his line of sight, studying me for a split second, then he nodded once.

  “Funds that have already been spent went into projects and services related to the safety of our city. The final donation, before Marco Venetti’s arrest, is now a part of the ongoing legal case and has not been touched by our department. Thankfully we still have a number of private donors who believe in the work we do and choose to support the LVPD. That will be all for today, thank you.”

  There were a few more shouted quest
ions that the Captain left unanswered, he stood with the mayor beside the podium for a brief photo op as cameras flashed. I raised my camera and snapped a candid photo to accompany my article. When I lowered the lens, my eyes wandered to the left as Berkley started to walk away and shake hands with a row of VIPs. Through the crowd, I noticed a familiar face. Beckett.

  He was here, dressed in a dark grey suit standing over by the wall, away from the reporters. I moved slowly in his direction, drawn to him by whatever unseen force existed between us. His presence was like electricity, filling me with a restless energy that heightened all of my senses. There was something powerful and magnetic about him, something I noticed the very first time I met him that still remained now.

  Some men needed to shout to exude power, acting assertive for the sake of establishing dominance. Shaking hands just a bit too forcefully. Beckett didn’t need to resort to games or power moves. Just looking at him and his calm, confident composure, you didn’t need to convince anyone he was a powerful man. Beckett’s eyes finally connected with mine as I approached from the side and he gifted me with a faint smile on his beautiful face.

  I made sure my words were polite, cordial, and respectful. Just a journalist saying hello to a respected Las Vegas businessman, nothing unusual to see if anyone was watching.

  “Mr. Carter, I didn’t know you would be at this press conference.”

  “It’s a notable event in our city, I thought I should make a brief appearance and meet our new chief of police.”

  “And what are your thoughts about him?”

  Beckett raised a dark eyebrow, watching me closely, a playful smile spreading from his lips to his utterly captivating eyes.

  “Is this on the record, Miss James?”

  I lifted my recorder and dangled it in the space between us, taking a step closer and lowering my voice, smiling back at him. The amusement in his eyes mirrored my own.