BEAUTY AND THE BADGE Page 10

  “Babe. Please. Stop hiding. It’s fucking killing me.”

  His words—specifically the use of the word babe—cause my pulse rate to quicken. He looks frustrated as hell, which somehow makes him even hotter. God, my hormones around this man are all over the place.

  “Ashley,” he rumbles, his voice low. “Talk.”

  I close my eyes for a few seconds to gather my thoughts—and to cut off my line of sight to him so I don’t combust. I need my wits about me for this.

  Taking a deep breath, I open my eyes and go for it. “When I answer the phone at the precinct and Rita is on the other end, she’s extremely inappropriate. Today, she told me my voice sounds fat. Yesterday, she said my ass is too big to wear jeans. Last Wednesday, she spent ten seconds mooing. The day after, I answered the phone to her moaning and calling your name. She says lewd things about having sex with you. She continuously calls me a fat, stupid whore, and those are only the things I’m willing to repeat. The rest of it is pure filth, which is really saying something, considering the things I’ve already told you aren’t great either.”

  “That. Fucking. Bitch,” he spits.

  “Yes, well—”

  His eyes are full of frustration as he cocks his head. “Why the fuck didn’t you say something to me about this before?” he asks, his tone incredulous.

  I narrow my eyes. “What did you want me to say?” I ask, defensively. “Your ex-girlfriend is a stone-cold psychopath who’s out to make my life miserable? I’ve kept my mouth shut, because there’s no upside to this for me, and aside from her, I like my job. I don’t want to quit, but she’s making it damn hard.”

  “You’re not quitting,” he growls. “You never needed to be afraid to talk to me about this either. I can’t stand the bitch.”

  I cross my arms over my chest and cock my head. “That’s weird, considering you take her calls every day.”

  He blows out a frustrated breath as he runs his hands through his hair. “I take her calls, because I don’t know what the fuck else to do. If you paid any attention, you’d notice that when I talk to her, I hang up in under thirty seconds—and normally, it’s more like five to ten seconds. She’s a fucking nut, a liar, and a goddamn nightmare, full stop. I’ve been trying to stay cool, because I’ve got a goddamn public job and I didn’t want to blow up and have everyone gossiping about me. I can’t be an effective chief of police if I’m a joke to the people of the Cove, but I’m done trying to deal with this quietly. Going after you was a step too far.”

  “Is this all just because you broke up with her?” I ask.

  He clenches his jaw. “I never had to break up with her, because we didn’t date. Rita was never my girlfriend.”

  “So you’ve just been sleeping with her then?” I ask.

  He shakes his head emphatically. “Not in months. We hooked up once, months ago. She’d just moved back to town and I didn’t know she lived here before. Honestly, I didn’t give a shit about her, and it wasn’t like she cared about me either. It was sex. The end. I had no clue how that one shitty decision would fuck me over,” he explains, his voice tight with resentment.

  “I realized I was in over my head once she turned up at the precinct and Felicity said something about her being back,” he continues. “After that, I avoided the bitch like she was a telemarketer. She tried for Felicity’s job, but I held firm and just said no. I should’ve known she was fixing to lose it because she didn’t get her own way. When she showed up at Ted’s and started spouting her lies in front of you—including her saying I’d had sex with her the week before, I almost blew my top in front of everyone in that room. She disgusts me on every level and nothing will change that. In fact, after what you’ve told me, I hate her more than ever. She can do what she wants to me, but you’re off limits. Period.”

  I shouldn’t be sitting here thinking about how hot that declaration is, but wowza. I kind of can’t help it. I have to look away for a minute to gather my wits about me. When I look back, he’s watching me like a hawk.

  Licking my lips nervously, I ask, “What now?”

  “What now is that I’m going to call Ben. Then I’m going to drive you home and go pick him up so he can be a witness when I confront the crazy bitch about her lies and her bullshit. Once I’m done with that, I’m telling her the next time she calls the precinct for anything that isn’t business, I’m filing a restraining order. And if she says anything to you or about you, she’s in for a world of trouble. It’s enough already.”

  “You’re going to do that now?” I ask, surprised he isn’t going to wait until at least tomorrow.

  He looks at me like he can’t believe I even asked the question. “Babe, she fucked with you. That’s the line for me.”

  I swallow nervously, wondering how to take that. “I…. It is?”

  “Yeah, it sure as fuck is,” he answers emphatically. “Once I lock her shit down, you and I are going to get right with each other real fast. But first, ensuring you don’t get anymore calls like that from her is the priority.”

  “Oh. Well. Okay.”

  He shakes his head as he stands. “Can’t believe you doubted I’d come down on your side. I’d choose you over her all day every day, any time, any place. We’re gonna work on that, babe.”

  Before I can respond, he turns and walks away to call Ben, leaving me to wonder why it feels like he just made an important declaration about his intentions.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  ____________________________________

  TYLER

  “JUST TO BE clear, if she gets physical, I’m putting her stupid ass in cuffs,” Ben says, his tone serious.

  “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” I mutter as I turn into the driveway of Rita’s place. “I want her to lose it, but not enough that we have to take her in. She’s not worth the fucking hassle or the paperwork.”

  “From everything I’ve heard about her, I’m thinking she’s not wrapped too tight.”

  I nod. “Now that I know what she’s been saying to Ashley, I don’t think she’s wrapped at all.”

  “Let’s get this shit over with.” Lifting his chin, he gestures to the quadplex in front of us.

  “Hit record on your phone and let’s go.” I do the same before sliding my phone back into my pocket. I’m not taking any chances—we both need to have a record of this. After Ben’s ready, we get out of my truck and head to Rita’s door. I knock like a cop, not bothering with the doorbell. I’m not fucking around, and she needs to know that right away. I’m already tense, but I become even more so when I hear her shuffling to the door.

  Opening it, she smiles. “Aw, lover, you brought a friend,” she says in a sickening baby-talk voice. As she talks, she trails her finger down from her neck to the spot where her low-cut tank top starts. “I’ve always wanted to take on two big, strapping officers of the law. How fortuitous that I got waxed from the middle on down just yesterday.”

  Goddamn. How fucking dumb am I that I had sex with this nightmare? I’m embarrassed for me and for my dick, because it’s damn obvious that neither the big nor the little head were working at top speed when I made that decision.

  “Cut the shit,” I snap. “We need to talk.”

  She shrugs and opens the door wider. “By all means, come on in.”

  As we walk through the door, Ben and I exchange glances. “Close that behind you,” Rita purrs.

  Fuck me. I’m going to need a decontamination shower when we leave.

  “The door stays open,” I bark. “We’re not here for any reason other than to tell you to stop playing your games.”

  She laughs huskily and makes a pouty face that leaves me cold. “Oh dear. What games are those?” she asks, blinking innocently.

  I’ve encountered some fucked up people in my years as an officer. Rita ranks right up there with the worst of them. She truly doesn’t care.

  “It’s time to get some shit straight,” I say in a no-nonsense tone. “First, I haven’t touched you in
months and you know it, so stop bullshitting and acting like I was your man or we had some deep thing, because that’s as far from the truth as anything can be. One night isn’t a relationship. You weren’t my girlfriend and you were never going to be. You knew the score that night, and at the time, I thought I did too. I was wrong though, wasn’t I? I thought we were two people scratching an itch, but I’d bet money you knew who I was before we ever spoke a word.”

  She grins at me like I’m amusing her, and it makes my skin crawl.

  “There’s no crime in knowing who people are,” she says in a honeyed voice.

  “You’re right; it’s not a crime. Just like it’s not a crime to have a one-night stand. I’ve put up with your shit, because I didn’t want the drama of having the entire town know I was dumb enough to fuck you, but I don’t give a good goddamn anymore. I’m through with you calling my work, and I’m really fucking done with you harassing Ashley.”

  At the mention of Ashley, Rita’s eyes narrow to slits. “Give me a break. She should thank me for trying to toughen her up. God knows she’s always had it so easy. I remember when she started coming for the summers with her grandparents. Half the town fell over themselves to spoil the little princess. Aw, poor Ashley lost her parents, or she’s such a sweet girl; don’t you just love her? It’s funny that none of the people who cared so much about her ever gave a damn about me. When my dad left, not one of those people ever gave me so much as a fucking lollipop.”

  This girl is totally around the damn bend. “You’re a bitch to her, because more than two decades ago she got a lollipop and you didn’t?”

  “It’s not just about lollipops,” she answers, her voice brittle. “It’s about strength versus weakness. I detest her, because she’s a useless idiot who’s been handed everything on a silver platter and she doesn’t deserve it. I learned to be tough, but not Ashley. That girl is as weak as they come. You’d figure all that fat would at least be good for thicker skin, but I guess not.”

  She’s pushing me, because she wants me to lose my shit. That’s not going to happen. I came here to put an end to this, and playing into Rita’s hands won’t achieve that. She and I both know Ashley is far from fat. Nothing Rita says will make that true, so I’m not touching it.

  “I get why you’re jealous of her, all things considered,” I say, shrugging one shoulder like I don’t have a care in the world. “You’re a head case with a hugely undeserved ego and you’ve got nothing to offer. Living in the same town with someone as beautiful, smart, and genuine as Ashley must eat you up inside.”

  Rita’s face goes from amused to incensed lightning-fast. “Are you insane? I’m not jealous of her!” she spits. “Look at me and then look at her. I’m a thousand times prettier than she is.”

  That’s so untrue it’s not even funny. That she just said that says a lot about where her head is at though.

  “I have looked at both of you. In no way are you prettier than her, Rita. It’s not even close,” I chide. “Whether you ever admit it or not, it’s true.”

  “No! Take that shit back!” she shrieks. “Why would you even say that?”

  I shrug, making sure she sees I’m indifferent to her and her tantrum. I’m telling her the truth, but I’m also prodding her, because I want her to lose it. I’m using her own head games against her.

  “Because it’s true.”

  “Liar!”

  “Sure, Rita. Whatever you say.”

  Her fists clench and unclench at her sides as she glares up at me. “You’re fucking with the wrong girl, Chief Jameson.”

  Closer. She’s about to blow.

  “Is that a threat, Rita?”

  If looks could kill, I’d be nothing but a pile of ashes right now.

  “It’s a promise,” she hisses. “I’m smarter than you, and I play a longer game. Of course when I approached you in the bar, I knew who you were! I figured that having the chief of police in my arsenal was a smart play. You have no idea who else I’ve got dangling on my lines. The people of this town are stupid and easy to manipulate. I was within spitting distance of having Ashley’s job, genius. Think about that for a minute. You don’t want to fuck with me, Tyler. I’m smarter than you realize.”

  Smarter, no. Crazier? No fuckin’ doubt about it. If I didn’t feel like a dumb fuck before, what she just said would’ve done it. Still, as smart as she thinks she is, I’m the one standing here recording while she runs her mouth.

  “You sound proud,” Ben says.

  I turn my head in his direction to give him a shut the fuck up look, but he’s focused on her. I don’t know why he said anything at all—we agreed he’d stayed silent.

  Looking back at Rita, I find that her attention is on Ben. “That’s because I am proud,” she boasts. “I’m the one in control, because I’m holding all the cards. Everyone is always so desperate for me to stay quiet they make all of my little problems go away.”

  Ben makes a huh sound, like he’s having trouble understanding what she’s saying.

  “I don’t get it,” he says. “What are you proud of, exactly?”

  She puffs up, smiling like a cat who ate a canary. “That I’m a puppet master. I promised myself when I moved back here that I’d do it my way. I made a plan and I’ve followed it. Not only that, I’m also holding a card I never could’ve known I’d draw when I hooked the chief of police. Ashley Colton coming back to town and catching Tyler’s eye is nothing but gravy for me. I’ve been renting space in that girl’s head since forever. She’s almost too easy.”

  It takes every ounce of willpower I have not to tell her to shut the fuck up and keep Ashley’s name out of her goddamn mouth. The possessive feelings I have about her are only amplified by Rita’s words. She talks a lot of shit, but after her spiel about lollipops, I’d say it’s Ashley who’s renting space in her head—not the other way around.

  My attention goes back to Ben when he clears his throat. “That sounds risky,” he says. “I mean, Ashley just got here. Leaving again would be no skin off her nose. What’ve you got to use if she goes and Tyler doesn’t respond to you anymore?”

  The smug grin on Rita’s face disgusts me.

  “This isn’t about her. Don’t get me wrong; I like to mess with her, because it’s fun. It’s a bonus, and one I’m enjoying immensely, but at the end of the day though, she holds no power. That’s what everyone else is for. I’ve got the most important people in this town on my strings. Mr. Yang from the town council, Judge Kahn, Mayor Brown, and Fire Chief Denton. Every one of them probably has nightmares about when and where I might turn up and cause a scene next.”

  Holy. Shit. That explains why the mayor and the fire chief both tried to get me to hire Rita to replace Felicity.

  “So you’re blackmailing them,” Ben clarifies.

  She shrugs. “I wouldn’t describe it as such, since I haven’t asked for a cent. It’s not their money I want—it’s their influence. Your thinking is too narrow. Life is about control. If you have it, you can do anything. I like knowing the most powerful people in this town are afraid of me and the havoc I could wreak upon their lives at any time. Having that particular group of people on the hook means I’ve got aces in the hole to cover pretty much any situation. The people in this town made me miserable when I was younger. I’m just returning the favor.”

  Jesus fuck. First of all, Ben is a goddamn genius. By showing interest, he got her to reveal her hand. Second, I’ve never felt better about the fact that I use condoms one hundred percent of the time.

  “If I were you, I’d stop running at the mouth about being a puppet master. It’s going to be pretty fuckin’ hard to maintain control once everyone is clued in to what you’re doing,” Ben taunts.

  Turning to me, he cocks his head. “You get what I’m saying, right?”

  I hold back a laugh. The look we exchange makes it clear that he’s punting over to me.

  “I do. I’m looking forward to calling all of the people she mentioned so I can fill them in
on her play.”

  “Wh… what the fuck?” she snaps.

  I smile. “Bitch, you just played yourself. You’re so up your own ass that you didn’t even notice that you walked right into the trap Ben set. Telling us who you had on the line just set them all free. I came here tonight to tell you to knock your shit off, but now I’m going to do one better. Leave, Rita. The jig is up. By this time tomorrow, there won’t be a soul in this town who doesn’t know just how low you’re willing to go to get your way. Once it all airs out, you’ll look worse than you already do, and the people who live here will hate you more. You should’ve tried being a decent person.”

  “You can’t make me leave,” she says, her voice much less certain than it was when this started.

  “No, I can’t. But I can make sure that everyone knows just what a crazy bitch you are, and once I do that, what’s the point of staying? Everyone will be wise to your games. You’ll be powerless.”

  “Get. Out.”

  The tone of her voice, the look on her face, and her body language make it crystal clear this bitch is tweaked, hard.

  “We’ll leave, but not before I spell it out for you so that there’s no confusion later. You are not to call the department for any reason that isn’t one hundred percent business related ever again. You will not harass, intimidate, or demean any of the employees of the Charlotte’s Cove Police Department, regardless of whether they’re at work or not. If you do, I’ll arrest you.”

  “I said get out!” She yells that like the unhinged psycho she is.

  “I’m putting you on notice now in an official capacity as the chief of police that what you’ve revealed to us tonight shows malice. You explicitly stated that you have been—and you intended to continue to—harassing and manipulating prominent members of this community. To that end, I have to tell you that if you stay, restraining orders will be coming your way. You’re a crime waiting to happen.”

  “Fuck you and fuck this hellhole,” she snarls. “You really think you’re taking anything away from me by telling me to go?”