“You’re gonna leave me hanging?”
I smiled nodding at the glass she was holding. “Now might be a good time for that bourbon.”
Chapter Six
DREW
“And these guys?” I asked Sutton, thumbing over my shoulder toward the door of his office where a small group of men and women in plain, smart clothes were standing, each one looking like they’d been raised with a silver spoon in their mouth. White-collar workers, wearing fancy lanyards and badges—that’s all I saw. People who’d never truly lived.
“ATF,” Sutton said through a sigh as he leaned over his desk and took a huge bite of his burrito. “As usual. They’re always here,” he mumbled.
“Because of the club?”
Sutton eyed me as he lowered his food and dabbed the corner of his full mouth with a napkin. “Well, they ain’t here to go over Lizzy Ford’s bakery books, Tucker.”
I smirked. “They’ve obviously never had one of her cakes. That white stuff she decorates her tarts with has got quite the kick.”
“Are you saying Lizzy Ford sugarcoats her baked goods with…?”
I nodded and pressed a finger to my nostril, inhaling sharply.
His eyes went wide. “Are you serious?”
“Shit, Sutton. I was joking.” I laughed hoarsely, resting my forearms on his desk and shaking my head.
“I never know with you.”
“I keep you on your toes.”
“You keep me distracted.” He swallowed his food, and his attention drifted to the doorway as a woman with jet-black hair and bright red lips leaned in, her hand gripping the doorframe to hold her body weight. I schooled my face, not giving anything away as I looked at her.
“Can I help you, Winnie?” Sutton asked her.
Her eyes narrowed on mine, a brow rising for only a split second before she, too, schooled her face for my benefit. “I can see you’re busy. I’ll wait until you’ve taken him into custody.”
Custody.
Right.
I smiled flatly and huffed out a small laugh. Her eyes raked up and down my body, and if she hadn’t been a part of the law enforcement that was desperately trying to bring us down around here, I would have sworn she was checking me out.
“Oh, he ain’t under arrest,” Sutton said through another mouth full of food, his manners gone or put aside because he clearly didn’t respect the woman.
“Just visiting.” I grinned, raising a weak hand and wiggling my fingers her way.
“He’s like the local idiot we all have to spend time with occasionally. Community project.” Sutton rolled his eyes.
“I’m all about the community,” I told her.
“I’m sure you are.” She sighed and looked at Howard. “Friends like him will lose you that badge, Chief.”
“Good job I’m his archenemy then, isn’t it, sweetheart?” I chimed in. “Can’t stand the guy.”
Her head tilted to one side as she studied me some more. “Y’all sure look friendly for enemies.”
“You know what they say,” Sutton muttered around his burrito. “Keep your friends close…”
“Buy your enemies burritos for lunch and stop by with a smile and a wave.” I flashed her all my pearly white teeth, giving her the most cocksure grin I could muster.