#gottlux

His eyes widened and he swallowed thickly. Many of their marks had committed heinous acts, but all had stopped short of murder. But that’s why someone like Rosé was taking this so seriously, he reminded himself, he knew they weren’t taking on just any small feat. “Oh.”

Rosé knocked on the door, her expression immediately softening when a short, curly-haired woman opened the door, “hi, Liv. I brought backup, just like I promised.”

“I knew you’d come through for me,” Olivia beamed brightly as she let Rosé in, then turned to Mik, “that must be you, then? I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it,” and before he could reply, she threw her arms around him in a tight hug.

Mik felt a warmth spread through him that he had never felt before. His arms wrapped around her and held her close, knowing then and there that he wouldn’t let the group stop their mission until Olivia was safe. “Happy to help,” he said, meeting her eyes as they pulled apart, “you’re in good hands.”

“Come on, Allstate, we’ve got business to attend to!” Rosé called out from the reclining chair, in an attempt to both lighten the mood and keep them focused.

The two of them joined her and sat on the couch. “I’m in the process of collecting all the intel that we’ll need,” Rosé explained. “By the end of the week, we should be able to put the plan into action, but we need to discuss your safety, Olivia.”

“You don’t want me to stay here,” she surmised. It wouldn’t be the first time her home became a dangerous territory. “It’s fine, I’ll put myself up in a hotel.”

“Like hell you are,” Mik scoffed as if he were offended by the mere suggestion. “She’s staying with me, Rosé,” he said firmly, making sure his tone and expression left no room for argument.

Olivia smiled and looked down, tucking her hair behind her ear. “You don’t have to do that, I–”

He put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed gently. “I know, gorge, but we’re here to keep you safe and comfortable, that doesn’t stop once we clock out. And I’ve got plenty of room.”

------

Rosé dropped a heavily-filled manila folder on the table. “This is everything we have on our mark, I’ve already cross-referenced everything with Jackie to make sure it’s completely comprehensive, the only task now is to work out a course of action to take him out. Any questions?” She arched her brow when Jan’s hand went up, but gestured for her to proceed.

“What do you mean by ‘taking him out’?” Although Jan suspected the answer as much as anyone else, she needed the confirmation.

And Rosé had the foresight to anticipate this, exhaling softly before answering. “Here’s the thing, trying to get this man put in jail just won’t cut it. If we want to guarantee he won’t hurt anyone again, we have to eliminate him as a threat permanently.”

“That’s all well and good,” Symone conceded, “but ain’t none of us ever killed somebody before. Closest we got is Denali causing some plant-based bodily harm and Jan’s alleged mafia connections.”

Jan huffed. “I told you, they’re not in the mafia per sé they just–”

“It is not the point!” Nicky cut in. “The point is none of us have killed somebody before. We need to all discuss this,” she looked around, “speaking of all of us, where is Mik?”

“He’s meeting with the survivor, remember?” Gigi answered before Rosé could. “How do we decide who does the deed? I don’t think drawing straws is gonna cut it.”

Rosé strummed her fingers against the table. “That’s the first thing we need to figure out,” she replied to a room of hesitant and anxious expressions. “Take the next day or so to think it over. I don’t need a definitive answer by our next meeting, but it would help. Anyway, I’m gonna head out.”

She was already out of the building when she heard footsteps running up behind her, then turned in surprise to see Denali. “Something wrong, Foxx?” she asked, brows furrowing in concern.

Denali hesitated as she shoved her hands into her sweatshirt pockets. “Are you busy? Can we talk for a bit?”

Rosé’s expression softened when she met her gaze, her doe-eyed expression making her forget any plans she might’ve had. “Come with me,” she told her, leading the shorter woman into her car and driving to a diner a few blocks over. They walked inside and to a corner booth in relative silence. “What’s on your mind?”

“How did you do it?” she asked, looking up at her with a mix of curiosity and nervousness. “How were you able to wrap your head around killing someone for the first time?”

The question shouldn’t have caught the former detective off guard, but it made her chest tighten. “I didn’t have a choice the first time. It was a standoff that ended in a shootout.” She pressed her lips together and swallowed thickly. “I’m not saying you have to take this case, but when you do… just get out of there as fast as you can and call me or Jaida.”

“What about the body?”

Rosé shook her head and rest a hand on her shoulder, then squeezed gently. “Seeing a dead body… one that you created… it’s a lot to handle with such little experience. We’ll take care of it.”

Denali sighed, then looked up to ask the waitress for a cup of coffee and an order of onion rings, then looked back at Rosé. “I told you we didn’t do things that left long-term physical damage, what makes you think we’ll be able to do this?”

“Because you know it’s the right thing to do. That’s why we’re here.”

The brunette propped her elbow on the table and placed her chin on her palm. “You’ve seen some shit, huh? I can tell you’re putting your heart into this.”

“We all cope one way or another, right?” She stole an onion ring off Denali’s plate once the waitress set it down.

The brunette smiled wanly, taking a sip from her mug, only for her brows to furrow and face to contort, leading her to stir in another packet of sugar before taking another sip. “And your coping mechanism is vigilante justice?”

“Isn’t yours?”

There was a beat of silence before they both couldn’t help but laugh. “We’re kinda fucked up, aren’t we?” Denali mused.

“Maybe so,” Rosé conceded and let out a deep breath, fingers strumming against the table, “but finding people like you, that look at life through a similar lens… it makes the hard parts more bearable.”

Denali’s face warmed from more than the heat of the coffee and she hid her expression behind the mug until she managed a neutral expression and to quell the fluttering in her chest. “Guess that’s why misery loves company, huh?” she offered with a dry laugh and a wink. Then, after a moment, added, “I’m glad you found us too.”

------

Jackie frowned as she saw Jan sitting on the edge of the bed and climbed up behind her, sitting on the back of her legs as she massaged Jan’s shoulders. “You poor thing, you’ve been so tense over this.”

Jan sighed, though her body relaxed under Jackie’s touch. “I’m just hoping someone else will take the first one… I’m just not ready, I can’t wrap my mind around killing someone that quickly.”

“I don’t blame you, and I don’t think Rosé will either,” she assured, shifting so the two of them were sitting on the bed together, cross-legged and facing each other. “This is no simple task, and honestly you’re handling this incredibly well,” she reached out and took her hands, squeezing them gently. “I’m very proud of you, Jan,” she assured, then asked, “do you want to talk about it?”

She smiled, looking up to meet Jackie’s eyes. “It means a lot to hear you say that.” She bit down on her lip, her gaze dropping to her lap for a moment before shaking her head. “No… I don’t. I think I just need a distraction for now.”

Jackie nodded understandingly. Truth be told, she wasn’t sure if she was equipped to handle a subject like that, but she would’ve tried for her. “What d’you wanna do? I could put on one of your favorite movies or something,” she suggested.

Jan shook her head again, knowing that wouldn’t be enough to ease the tension in her mind and body. “I need you, Jackie,” her voice was soft, pleading, enough for the other woman to fill in the blanks.

“Then you have me,” she replied, getting the message loud and clear. She gently pressed Jan into the bed, kissing along her jaw and neck, only pausing to take off her top. Her lips trailed down along her collarbone, then between her breasts as she took off her bra.

“Please don’t be gentle with me,” she quietly requested, “I can’t handle gentle right now, I need you to fuck me senseless.”

And Jackie would’ve readily done anything for her at that moment, so she got up and got both of them fully undressed before getting her strap-on out of the drawer, fixing the harness to fit comfortably. “Get on your hands and knees,” she ordered.

Jan felt her body relax in relief when Jackie didn’t question her and readily obliged, getting up on her hands and knees and waiting in eager anticipation.

“Good girl,” she praised as she got behind her, gripping her ass firmly before spanking it hard, repeating the action a few more times, then running her hand over the red-hot skin. “Color?”

“Green.” She knew Jackie was just trying to look out for her, but she was desperate for the pleasure that came with rough sex. “Please, Jackie, I just–”

Jackie grabbed a fistful of her hair, yanking it back. “I didn’t tell you to keep talking. Now, you’re gonna take Mommy’s cock like a good little slut, aren’t you?”

“Yes, Mommy,” she answered, the frustration that’s been in her voice now replaced by eager arousal. Then she felt Jackie ease the length of her strap into her, moaning out at the sensation. She moaned out languidly as each thrust made her body rock, her hands gripping at the comforter beneath her.

The older woman kept a firm grip on her hip with one hand while the other stayed fisted in her long, brown hair. “Good girl,” she praised as she thrust harder and faster.

Jan lost herself in the all-encompassing pleasure, moaning and writhing, yielding her body to Jackie’s control. She couldn’t even get out a warning when she felt her orgasm approach, only letting out a guttural moan as her body tensed up, then immediately relaxed, leaving her panting and barely holding herself upright.

And just like that, the switch in Jackie flipped. She eased out of her and wiggled out of the harness, tucking Jan under the covers before leaving to the kitchen and returning with a bottle of water. “Sit up, baby,” she gently instructed.

Jan nodded, sitting up and drinking nearly half the bottle in one go. “Thank you,” she exhaled as she laid back down, “for all of that.”

Jackie smiled, joining her under the covers and taking the smaller woman into her arms. “Anytime,” she whispered as she pressed a kiss to her temple.

------

“So that should be it. You can keep the couch like this,” Mik said, gesturing to how it pulled out to a bed, “or fold it up during the day, whichever’s comfier I guess.”

Olivia smiled and sat cross-legged on the bed. “You don’t have to do all this for me, but I appreciate it.”

He shrugged. “Hey, I know this might be rough for you, y’know, having to relive all the shit that guy put you through. Least I can do is make sure you’re comfortable, right?”

“I guess. Either way, the effort isn't lost on me.”

Mik couldn’t hide the grin on his face, glancing down and haphazardly running a hand through his hair. There was a beat of awkward silence before he cleared his throat. “Listen, I gotta go to a meeting, but text me if you need anything, okay?”

While he was the last to arrive at headquarters, he wasn’t more than a few minutes late and dropped himself down onto his usual spot on the couch. He and the rest of the group looked up at Rosé, who was waiting to address them.

“So,” she started, “I know we left off with some loose ends last time we spoke. I guess there’s no way to beat around the bush here – are any of you ready to consider being the one to snuff this guy out?”

Mik’s hand shot up in the air. “I’ll do it,” he answered quicker than anyone expected, stunning the rest of the room into silence.

Rosé quirked her brow. “I… guess we’ll double down on your training to get you ready. You’re positive you’re on board? This isn’t the sort of thing you can get cold feet about.”

“I’m sure,” he nodded. A tinge of nerves hinted in his voice, but his expression never faltered. “The guy is a monster and knowing he’s out there makes me sick.”

Realizing that Mik had no intention of backing down, Rosé accepted his decision. “Alright, we’ll be in touch,” she said, then exchanged goodbyes with the rest of the group before leaving.

“How long did it take before you fucked that girl?” Gigi asked Mik moments later. “I knew she seemed like your type as soon as we got to meet her.”

Mik scowled and rolled his eyes. “I didn’t fuck her. I haven’t done anything with her,” he shook his head. “Olivia is just… she’s this sweet angel baby that I have this, like, innate urge to protect. Like a puppy or something.”

“Whatever you gotta tell yourself, babe,” Symone chimed in. “Just don’t lose focus. Wait til the man’s six feet under, then you can rail her six ways to Sunday for all I care.”