Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 29462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 147(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 147(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
I chew on my bottom lip, staring up at him. "What happens when he goes running to Dante to confirm your story?"
"I'll call Cormac." Callum shrugs. "Dante's niece is married to his MC brother. He'll float the story with Dante and make sure he's on board. Dante may be a criminal, but he's not a bad guy. Once he knows what's happening, he'll play along." He must read the skepticism on my face because he tips my chin up to place a kiss on my lips. "It'll be fine, Firefly. I don't need it to stick forever. Just long enough for Finn and Dillon to find something."
I exhale a breath, nodding.
Chapter Ten
Callum
"Are you fucking kidding me right now?" I growl, glaring balefully at the man standing on Hope's porch with his fingers hooked into the pockets of his blue jeans like he's some goddamn real cowboy.
It's been three days since Thomas Huntington showed up at Hope's store. Finn hasn't found anything yet. Neither has Dillon. But Cormac was able to get Dante Arakas on board with fucking over Ransom Oil if they come sniffing around him. Once he heard what was happening, he agreed to float that Hope is a cousin. I doubt Huntington has the balls to approach Dante, but on the off chance he does, our bases are covered.
As soon as we got home that night, Grizz and I spent half the night wiring up the property and installing cameras and motion lights. Imagine my goddamn surprise when Silas Wembley waltzed onto the front porch yesterday to filch the package that was delivered.
He beat a hasty retreat back to his place with it. Hope doesn't know yet and hasn't seen the footage. I don't intend to show it to her, but I changed the lock on her shop as soon as we got back from her store last night. I expected to find his ass waiting for her when we got home today, but I guess he was busy.
That's all right. He's here now. And Hope is occupied in the kitchen.
I yank the door open to glower at him. "Can I help you?"
"Oh." Silas seems taken aback by my presence, as if he didn't see my truck parked in the damn driveway. He quickly plasters a smile on his face, trying to hide the moment of surprise. "You're here again."
"Been here all week."
A split second of irritation flashes through his eyes before he schools his expression. "Is Hope busy? I have another package for her. I was going to leave it in the shop, but my key isn't working."
"Changed the locks." I step outside, pulling the door closed behind me before Kieve realizes he's here and tries to escape. Hope told me he doesn't care for Silas. As far as I'm concerned, that tells me all I need to know about the man. "Changed the alarm code too."
"Ah. Well, if you'll just get Hope, I'll get the new information from her," he says, stepping back beside the package he left sitting on the porch.
"Yeah, that won't be happening." I lean against the door, shooting him a hard look. "Any packages left at your place can be delivered to the front door from now on. I'll make sure they get put where they need to be."
"I see." His false smile slides from his face. "Is Hope aware of this new arrangement?"
"She's the one who changed the alarm code."
"Well, then." He grits his teeth, though I think he intends to smile. "I suppose I'll get out of here and be about my business then."
"You do that," I say quietly.
He eyes me for a moment as if he wants to say something and then decides against it before turning to start down the steps.
"By the way," I say before he gets halfway down the sidewalk. "I installed cameras on the property the day before yesterday. Fascinating how much they pick up." I let that hang in the air for a minute before I continue. "Steal another package from her porch or show up here again making a nuisance of yourself, and you'll be explaining the footage to the sheriff."
"I was just trying to help her out."
"No, you weren't. You were trying to get in her fucking pants. She isn't interested. She'll never be interested. You watched her grow up, for fuck's sake. Stay away from her," I growl. "That's the only warning I'm going to give you."
He cowers like I just kicked him in the teeth. "Fine."
I stick around long enough to make sure he leaves and then scoop up the package and head inside. Hope may kick my ass when she finds out what I just did, but it had to be done. The fucker was stealing her mail just to bring it back to her. That's fucking weird no matter how you slice it.