Having a cop and a criminal try to work together was harder than Karmin thought it would be.

Like, why couldn't they look past their moral and occupational obligations and become a team?

The entire Knight home was empty with the sisters out and about and the grandmothers off at their weekly book club. The twins were particularly excited to be reading a werewolf novel with countless shirtless men and angst.

This was the perfect opportunity to have Avery Miller, Maddox's Mom, and Cesar Perez meet.

Avery was on her way back from work where Karmin, Maddox, and Cesar awaited her. The so-called mob boss was lounging on the couch, sipping on his coffee that she expected was laced with alcohol. She was too busy pacing the carpet floor as Maddox carelessly flipped through a discarded book.

"Can you stop pacing?" drawled Cesar as he placed his feet on the coffee table. "You're creating a draft."

"It's my house. She can do whatever she wants," muttered Maddox aimlessly while his eyes scanned the page of his story.

Karmin continued her nervous walking past the fireplace to the edge of the dining room. Her fingers fumbled with the edge of her skirt or the hair clips that kept her strands out of her face. This could go either one of two ways. Avery could potentially arrest Cesar, or he would shoot all of them in the face and escape.

Neither one seemed fun.

"Make sure you don't say anything incriminating," warned Karmin.

Cesar waved dismissively. "I've been in this business for too long. I'm not stupid."

"Still," she said firmly. "I don't want you leaving this house in handcuffs and in the back of a police car."

"Handcuffs, you say?" smirked Cesar. "That sounds quite fun actually."

"Dude, that's my fucking Mom," interjected Maddox with a disgusted look.

Cesar rolled his eyes, leaning back into the plush sofa, only for his eyes to widen and stand up quickly. "Wait, didn't you two tell her about the plan?"

"Not exactly. Just that we wanted her to meet with someone," shrugged Maddox. "We're going to tell her when she gets home."

Cesar scowled at them as he buttoned his suit jacket. "You said you would tell her everything before the meeting," he snapped. "I'm not risking this. I'm leaving."

Karmin opened her mouth to stop him as he walked through the living room to leave, but then the sound of the door unlocking stopped them.

"She's here," Karmin whisper shouted. "Cesar, sit down, or I'm calling Zara."

He swore under his breath, glaring at her but begrudgingly stomped back to his original spot. At that moment, the door swung open, revealing Avery in her work clothes.

"Hey Mom," started off Maddox awkwardly.

"Maddy. Karmin," she acknowledged, her hands hovering above her glock as she eyed Cesar with both interest and caution. "Who is this?"

Cesar peered at Avery with intrigue. He swung his arm on the couch, smiling at her charmingly.

"This is the person we wanted you to meet," said Maddox slowly as he inched towards his Mom. "He's helping us with a problem, and we need you along with the NYPD."

"What did you get yourself into that you need the police?" questioned Avery with her voice low and dangerous.

"It's actually my fault, Ms. Miller," added Karmin nervously.

"It's quite a doozy," chimed in Cesar.

"Tell me everything, now," she demanded. "And don't you dare leave out any details."

So, they told her everything. Okay, maybe not everything. Avery did not need to know about them hacking into the Department of Defense. But from her joining the fight club to Ares wanting Karmin to join My Brother's Keeper was explained. The entire time, she kept a straight face, not revealing any type of emotion, and her hand clutching the gun attached to her belt.

"... And now we're here, asking for your help," finished Karmin.

"So, you two are fighting in the illegal fight club. The same fight club my department has been after for years?" she asked slowly.

"That's the one," Maddox whispered, folding his arms over his chest and unable to look his Mom in the eye.

"Is that how you were getting all the money?" Avery wondered. "Not from Rhys's uncle's construction company you were working at?"

Maddox nodded, causing her Mom to sigh in relief. "Oh, thank god," Avery exclaimed, rubbing her eyes. "I thought you were a prostitute or a male escort. Not that there is anything wrong with sex work, of course."

"Mom!" exclaimed Maddox as his face turned red. He hid his face in his hands, shaking it in embarrassment.

Karmin let out a chuckle, sharing a laugh with Cesar. She poked Maddox in the side teasingly, only for him to swat her hands away, glaring at her.

"But it still doesn't explain why he is here," said Avery, flicking her head towards Cesar.

"I'm here to help, beautiful," Cesar grinned slyly.

"Stop flirting with my Mom," hissed Maddox.

"But who are you?" she demanded, ignoring the sad attempt.

"I think it's best you don't know," interrupted Karmin. "For your safety and for the sake of your job. Trust us."

"So, he's a criminal?"

"I like to think of myself as a businessman," mused Cesar as he balanced one leg on top of the other.

That comment forced Avery to pull out her gun, pointing it directly at him. He sat there, unbothered as he swirled his coffee cup.

Oh, come on. Why can't we just work as a team?

"You don't want to do that," sang Cesar.

"Are you threatening me? In my own home?" seethed Avery.

"Take it as you will. But I assure you, killing me or even arresting me is going to only bring you and your family trouble. I am a powerful man, after all," he said smugly with his eyes twinkling in amusement.

"Don't you dare threaten my family," she snarled, clicking off the safety.

Maddox swiftly jumped between the two of them, raising his hands. "Mom, please. We need him and his connections. We won't be able to take down Ares without him."

"I have the entire department at my disposal," explained Avery as she kept her unwavering gaze on Cesar.

"Yeah, and how has that been working out for you?" mocked Cesar.

"Don't provoke her," scolded Karmin with wide eyes. Was he trying to get himself shot?

"Whether you like it or not, we need him," urged Maddox. "This is the only way you'll save us. Besides, you'll be known for taking down one of the biggest gang leaders in the States. You could become Captain, Mom."

Avery gritted her teeth, her jaw clicking every so slightly. She exhaled sharply and resentfully shoved the gun back into its holster. "But we're doing this my way."

"That's not how it works, love," drawled Cesar, his tattooed hand propping up his face.

"It's Lieutenant Miller," she snapped as she pointed roughly at her badge.

"I love a woman with power," he flirted with a smirk.

Avery's face turned red, whether, from anger or bashfulness, Karmin didn't know. "Listen here, you convict. You're following my lead and my plan."

"Nope. Not happening," hummed Cesar.

"Okay!" announced Karmin, getting their attention. "We are following my plan, alright, and I better not hear any objections. Please," she added quickly, throwing Avery a small smile.

"I object," grumbled Maddox from his seat. "I hate your plans."

Karmin let out an annoyed sigh, seizing a pillow and smacking him in the face. "Shut it."

"Don't hit me," he fired back, grabbing the same pillow and throwing it at her.

The cushion bounced off her head and fell to the floor with a quiet thud. She gave him a dirty look, immediately fixing her hair. I would just smother him with the pillow later.

"Right now, Lance, his second, is dealing with me and the money. The goal is for me to get a meeting with Ares," explained Karmin with authority and confidence. "

"And how exactly will you do that?" wondered Avery interestingly.

"By losing a fight," she said simply.

"Objection," exclaimed Maddox.

She turned to him, raising a brow. "What's the problem now?"

"I don't want you to get beat up," he muttered.

"And why would you care?"

"Because..." he faltered. "I don't want to have to look at your swollen face. It's ugly."

"Fuck you. I always looks good," she whispered to him. "And I'll just forfeit."

"You have to make it look realistic," added Cesar. "If you lose too easily, Ares will know something is wrong."

"Then I'll get my beat up. What's one more time?" she shrugged tiredly. "Once that happens, Judas will inform Ares what happened. He'll be pissed and will want to meet me at the train station, and that's where Cesar and his people will be, ready to help us take down the rest of the members. Ms. Miller, you will be on standby with your forces, and once we call, you'll come in and arrest everyone, but more importantly, arrest Ares."

The room was silent as the three of them soaked in the details of the plan. Karmin took a deep breath in, taking a seat. She had gone through every risk this plan entailed and all the details. It wasn't the best idea, but it was all she had.

"Not too shabby, kid," drawled Cesar.

"It could work," said Avery. "But it's risky."

"We don't have another choice," sighed Karmin.

"We are so going to die," muttered Maddox under his breath.

She glowered at him as she curled her fists.

I was going to kill him before he had the chance to die.

Cesar got up from his seat, rubbing his hands together. "I guess I should be going then. I have to prepare my men."

"Thank you, Cesar," Karmin smiled thankfully.

He nodded shortly. "Call me and let me know what day this is going down."

"Will do. I just need to get a fight, but it'll happen this week. I want this done as soon as possible."

"I'll be awaiting your call," he said as he walked to the front entrance. He slowly opened the door, but before he left, he glanced at Avery for one last second. "I look forward to working with you, Lieutenant Miller," Cesar said, her name spilling off his tongue with a hint of pleasure.

"Get out of my house," she deadpanned.

With one last smug smirk, he was off, leaving Karmin, Maddox, and Avery in a tense quiet.

"Maddox Stanley Knight, we will be talking about this," said his mother sternly, breaking the silence. "But first, I'm going to go take a long shower, so I don't rip off your head."

His middle name was Stanley? Hm, how interesting.

"I'm sorry!" he called out as she marched up past the stairs.

"Too late," she shouted back.

"Um, so that went well," chuckled Karmin awkwardly.

Maddox shook his head at her, sulking past her and walking up the stairs. "I'm going to take a nap before I get my ass handed to me."

Karmin followed him up the railings, saying, "I need you to call Ezra and book a fight, first."

"I'll do it, but I still hate the plan," he complained as they entered his bedroom.

"Oh, come on, Stanley. Be a little more positive," she teased making her way to the end of his room.

"How can I be positive knowing you're willingly putting yourself in danger," Maddox remarked quietly as he viciously stacked his books on top of one another on his desk.

Karmin rolled her eyes, leaning against the edge of his desk. "I'm doing this for us. I'm getting us out of this."

"That's exactly the point," he whispered as he stopped organizing his book and stared at her. "You've been the one putting yourself in danger for months now."

"It's my choice," she exclaimed.

"Not when your decisions affect other people!" shouted Maddox.

Karmin halted, her eyes wandering his face. He was never the one to yell, but here he was. His eyes were flaming, and an exasperated expression on his face. His muscles tensed up as he shouted, and the words that flew out of his mouth angered her. I didn't like being told what to do.

"My family doesn't know, and Viola understands!" she yelled back.

"And how about me?" Maddox shouted as he ran a hand through his hair frustratedly and stepped closer to her. "I'm the one who has to watch you fight and hear you cry, knowing that I'm the reason you're even at the club in the first place."

"Then don't come," she said simply, as she poked him in the chest.

Maddox stepped even closer until the tips of their toes touched, and she could feel his warm breath on her face. "You're a fucking idiot," he insulted with his voice low.

Anger flared in her when she heard those words. "Don't call me an –"

Karmin was cut off when suddenly, Maddox's lips were on hers. The words were lost and unspoken as she fixated her energy on him and the kiss. Unlike before, this kiss was urgent and needy as she pulled him closer by his t-shirt until their bodies were flushed against one another. The world vanished into a mere buzz, and suddenly, nothing mattered except for him and this moment.

She released her anger, and annoyance through the kiss as she passionately moved her lips on his and trailed her hands up and down his spine. The thin material of his top was so delicate, she could feel the heat that radiated off him and the muscles in his back.

Maddox's hands slipped from around the back of her neck, his fingers finding their way back from her hair to her waist. A gasp escaped her lips when he gripped her hips, lifting her to the desk. His calloused palms moved up and down her bare legs that were wrapped around his waist.

I bet he loved the fact I wore dresses now.

His usual shy aura dissipated into the surroundings. For some reason, her warm breath and trailing hands seemed inviting. Her strawberry lip gloss laced his tongue as he slipped it into her mouth. Karmin's toes curled and her skin burned, and tingled as she parted his lips further for him.

She wanted to keep going, to keep exploring. His kisses were addictive, and her heart fluttered, but the both of them needed air, so begrudgingly, they separated. Maddox rested his forehead against hers as she tried to steady her heavy breathing. Karmin kept her eyes closed, smiling and keeping a firm grip around him, terrified that she was dreaming of this moment.

"I lied," Maddox whispered breathlessly.

Her eyes opened widely, glancing at him in question. "About what?"

"When I said the kiss was a mistake," Maddox laughed nervously. "I lied."

"Then why did you say it?" Karmin asked, her heart burning as she recalled that moment.

"I thought you were going to say it," he confessed hesitantly with a bashful smile, "and I was insecure. I don't even understand why you like me. What do you even like me about me?"

She peered at him to see the vulnerability in his eyes. She rubbed his thumb against his cheek, lifting his chin until his gaze met hers. "Everything," she said softly. "From the paper cuts on the tips of your fingers from reading so much to your awkward social skills. How green your eyes are to the point where I see nature in them and your hatred for attention that you willingly let go for me. I even love your unprovoked sassy comments and dislike for pie, which by the way, I don't understand," laughed Karmin.

"I don't like the sogginess," Maddox grumbled with a grin as his eyes glimmered with reassurance and contentment.

A chuckle escaped her lips as she snaked her hands around his shoulders. "I'll have to change that. I'll make you some of my famous pie once this shit show is over," she hummed, but her mouth quickly tilted downwards from the mention of their troubles.

Maddox was swift to notice those changes. "I'll be right there with you. I promise. I won't let anything bad happen to you," he said firmly with all the intensity in the world.

"I'm sorry," she sighed tiredly. "It's my fault you're in this mess. You should've ignored me the first day we met. You should've fought harder to let me go." Karmin breathed roughly as she pushed back the tears that threatened her.

"You would've just come back harder and stronger," he remarked teasingly. "I bet you would've stalked me until I said yes."

She choked out a laugh. "You're not wrong."

"But I don't regret any of it," Maddox said gingerly. "If I hadn't agreed, then we wouldn't have become friends. We wouldn't have become... this. I like this. The way you refuse to wear pants in the cold or how you bake when you're anxious. Oh, and your constant rants about capitalism that come out of nowhere. I don't like most people, but I like you," he confessed with a small smile.

Karmin couldn't hold in the excitement that coursed through her as she quickly brought her lips to his for a small kiss. "And I like you," she mumbled against his mouth, "Stanley."

Maddox groaned, stepping away from her embrace. "I'm done with you," he grumbled, walking away.

"Come on. Don't be like that, bologna boy!" she called out after him with a hearty laugh.

And then he proceeded to stick his middle finger out at her.

***

Author's Note:

Hey hey!

It had been exactly 10 chapters since their first kiss, so I wanted to... spice this one up a little. I bet all you loved it, huh ;)

Also, I might have to start updating once a week because I haven't had the chance to write any new chapters, but we shall see!

Until next time - m.k.t