I shook my head. “She was so happy, so excited.”
“What happened?”
It was a memory I didn’t want and didn’t need, but one Reese deserved to hear.
“There was a shooting outside a club. One of Emily’s friends managed to get the girls in. They were all fucking underage and Emily knew better. I have no doubt she was just going with the flow. A stray bullet hit her. There was nothing the doctors could do.”
“And you blamed yourself.”
“Don’t worry. Half my family did as well.” The memories were painful but justified. “If only I’d gone with her. I’d just gotten the damn prosecutor’s job in Miami. So fucking far away. I’ll never forgive myself. And trust me, I was a thorn in the Chicago PD’s side, but they didn’t seem overly interested in solving the case. I kept pushing, even taking a week off, managing to hunt the motherfucker down. He’d shot three innocent people that night. All because he was high on drugs.”
“Oh, my God.”
I shook my head. “The police were none too happy I interfered. My first real taste of realizing my chosen profession was not always honorable.”
“What happened to the person who killed her?”
“Given a slap on the wrist on a different charge. I almost lost complete faith in the justice system then, but I turned my anger into becoming even more determined to fight against brutal criminals and ensure victims were given justice. But I feel like over the last couple of years I failed in doing so as I failed my sister.”
“The reason for Raven Intel.”
Smiling, I brushed hair from her face. “I wasn’t the brilliant creator of the idea. We all have similar stories from ourrespective professions. In truth, I was somewhat hesitant at first that it would work. But we’ve proven ourselves. However, what we do is against the law. At least a portion of the time. Yet I feel compelled.”
“Vigilante justice.”
“Not for public consumption.” I tweaked her nose and for some crazy reason, it felt as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. At least for now.
“Don’t worry, bad man. Your secret is safe with me.”
“It’s not even about keeping what we do secret as much as it is about fighting the misrepresentation of the laws and the corruption within our system. And it’s everywhere.”
“You believe someone you know is involved.”
“Yeah, I do.”
“Then we’ll get him. All of them. Whatever we need to do, we’ll bring justice to the women involved.” Her touch was gentle, nurturing.
And it created another wave of desire.
“Only you’re not going to be placed in harm’s way.” Was it possible I cared about this woman when I didn’t even know her?
“You mean I’m required to follow your rules.”
“Exactly. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“It won’t and do you want to know why?”
Narrowing my eyes, I studied her for a few seconds. “I’m almost afraid to ask.”
“Ah, ye with little faith. Because you’ll be by my side.”
The moment shared was as heartfelt as it was awkward. I’d never told any other woman I’d dated about my sister. The thought of doing so was too invasive. Too intimate. But as everything else with her, was also completely natural.
“Where are you going?” she asked as soon as I left the bed.
“After my sister died, I either worked or played music.” I had no idea why I suddenly felt the need to drag out my electric guitar.
“I didn’t know you could play.”
