Page 57 of Irresistibly Wicked

EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING, before the end of her shift, Shauna tried to work up the courage to talk to Cap about what was going on with Brian and Zander. She’d tried yesterday, but every time she talked herself into it, they either got a call or she chickened out. She never should have lied to him about Brian’s relapse. It wasn’t lost on her that she thought of Cap like a father figure, but she’d never felt bad about lying to her own father. Luckily, Cap wasn’t one to poke around in her personal business. The day Zander had come by the firehouse, Cap had mentioned knowing the Wickeds and attending fundraisers hosted by the Dark Knights. He’d said they were good people, but she hadn’t asked for more information, and he hadn’t offered. She hoped that when she told him what was going on, he wouldn’t fire her for lying or completely lose trust in her.

On top of that, when she and Zander had texted yesterday, his texts didn’t have the same fun, flirty vibe as they had in the days prior. She could tell something was wrong. They’d talked on the phone late last night after the rest of the crew was asleep, and she’d heard the strain in his voice. It was like pulling teeth getting him to open up to her, but he finally told her that his cousins and brothers had been giving him shit all day, trying to talk him out of going through with their plan. She’d said they should forget the whole thing, but Zander wasn’t having it. You’re not getting rid of me that easily.

It was his determination that fueled her confidence now, as she finished restocking the rig and headed inside to find Cap. She caught herself absently stroking the underside of her left ring finger with her thumb and made herself stop. She didn’t know how it had happened so fast, but she’d gotten used to playing with the bottom of her engagement ring and had been brushing that empty spot all day.

She found Cap coming out of the kitchen as she came down the hall. “Cap? Can I talk to you for a sec?”

“Sure. What’s up?”

“Would you mind if we talk in your office?”

“Fuck!” Mike hollered from upstairs, as Trey and Howie howled with laughter. “Flores!”

Shauna stifled a laugh. Zander had helped her make a spring-loaded glitter bomb that looked like a birthday gift for Mike instead of a card. She’d put it in his locker about half an hour ago.

Cap cocked his head. “You need to handle that first?”

“Nope. Sounds like he found the birthday present I left him.”

As she hurried toward his office, Cap said, “What’d you give him?”

“A glitter bomb.”

“Brave girl.” Cap shut the door behind them. “Take a seat.”

“Thanks.” She sat on the chair across from his desk, and he took the seat beside her, which wasn’t unusual, but for some reason, today it made her even more nervous.

“What’s on your mind?”

“A couple of things.” She wrung her hands. “What I’m about to tell you might make you lose all trust in me, and I would understand that, but I also hope you’ll try to see it from my side and give me a chance to earn that trust back.”

His expression turned serious. “Are you drinking again, Shauna?”

“No. I promise,” she said quickly. “I never want to go back to that, and if I ever did, I’d tell you right away. I wouldn’t jeopardize other people’s lives by being less than one hundred percent on the job.”

“That’s good to know. Then what’s got you so worried?”

“Remember over the holidays when you invited me and Brian to Christmas dinner, and I said Brian was sick?”

“Yes.”

“He wasn’t sick. He relapsed. He lost his job, and at first he was just drinking, and I didn’t want to say anything, because I thought I could get him back on track. But then things got worse, and I wanted to get him into rehab, but I couldn’t afford it. I was afraid to say anything because I had already lied to you, and I wanted to help him so badly. I just kept trying, but…” She shook her head. “Last week I caught him snorting heroin, and he grabbed me—”

“Where is Brian now?” Cap leaned forward.

“He’s in rehab, and I’m okay.”

“How bad was it? All those bruises you said were from pole class, did he do that to you? Should you press charges?”

“No. It wasn’t like that. The random bruises really are from pole class. I promise. That was the first time he’s ever grabbed me, and thanks to Zander Wicked, now Brian is where he needs to be to get help. But, Cap, before I tell you the rest, I’m really sorry I lied to you.”

“Me too,” he said with disappointment and compassion. “I wish you’d come to me. I could’ve helped before it got that far.”

“I know. I just…I was scared that you might tell me I have to move out of there in order to keep my job, and he couldn’t afford the rent without me. I was stupid to try to help on my own for so long, and I promise, I learned my lesson. I’ll never allow myself to be in that position again. Not even for a day.”

“I’m holding you to that. How does Zander play into this?”

She sat up straighter and said, “He is helping me pay for Brian’s rehab. I haven’t told anyone this, and I need your word that you won’t tell anyone what I’m about to tell you.”