Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
“You got word? When?”
“Last night.”
“Last night you were at Tom’s and then with me.”
“It came in while we were at Tom’s.”
Her eyes dart to the side. “Guess that answers why you were distracted. I figured you were brooding over my shirt.”
Guilt scorches through my system at the hurt in her voice. I force through it, tipping her chin back to me and trying to lighten the mood. “We’re still destroying that shirt.”
“Okay.” Her feeble response is devoid of any emotion.
“I’ll get this done and pick you up for lunch.”
“I can’t today.”
“Your calendar packed?”
“No, I mean, yes. Mom’s leaving early, so I pushed all my appointments to the afternoon. I thought we could use the time together this morning.”
A new blister ignites low in my gut. “That’s enough motivation for me to get my shit done quicker.”
“Is this a case you worked on during your desk duty?”
“Not exactly.”
“Are you able to talk about it?”
“If the lead pans out, we are looking at solving a murder.”
Her breath hitches. “Oh, my…”
“Baby, swear to fucking Christ, there’s not much that would pull me from this bed with the promise of having all morning with you alone.”
“No, I get it. This is your job. Your job is a part of you, and it’s one of the many things that make me love you. The possibility of catching a murderer is much more important than a sex-a-thon.”
My cock lurches to life, and I swallow the rumbling in my throat. “You’re killing me.”
She leans in, brushing her lips across mine. “Go do whatever clandestine things badasses do to help the citizens of Nashville.”
If I don’t leave now, I’ll never leave.
“I’ll check in. Tell your mom to drive safely.”
“Will do, Batman.”
“Batman?”
She shrugs, a small smile tipping at the corner of her lips. “It’s the only superhero that comes to mind who fights bad guys before dawn.”
“You’re a nut.”
“Be careful, Major.”
“I’ll rearm the alarm and lock up when I leave. Go back to sleep.”
“Is it bad I’m imagining you in a tight black spandex suit? “
The light and humor in her eyes squelch the fire inside. “Don’t get any ideas.” I kiss her again quickly, standing to leave.
“And by the way, Batman’s suit is Kevlar.”
“Of course it is,” she giggles.
The instant I crank up my truck, the light-hearted humor evaporates and the fucking guilt returns, piercing through my chest like a blade. My phone vibrates twice then rings, the dash lighting with Ford’s name.
“You got anything?”
“Man, how much you know about Koby’s case?” There’s an echo, indicating he’s not alone, which is not surprising. Talon and Ace were chomping to get into Darla’s history and figure out what game she’s playing.
“It was a cold case before I shipped out. No leads, no witnesses, nothing to tie his murder back to anyone.”
“That was true until about four months ago.”
“What happened four months ago?”
“Chicago PD received an anonymous tip that linked a small-time gang drug dealer to a string of crimes going back years.”
“Any sign Darla was the anonymous tip?”
“Here’s what we know,” Talon speaks up. “Darla Strauss started as a clerk and then became a junior associate in a criminal defense firm. The firm is shady as fuck, defending gangs, drug dealers, arms pushers—basically the scum on the streets.”
“So, there’s a chance she actually has something concrete?”
“There’s a chance.” Ace’s barbed confirmation sends ice through my veins.
I drive out of the neighborhood, knowing without a doubt she’s playing at something.
“I’m headed to her place now.”
“Not a good idea.”
“Bullshit, she thinks she’s pulling the strings. Time to gain the upper hand.”
“At six in the morning?”
“Believe me, the woman has spent a lifetime manipulating people. She’ll be expecting me.”
I disconnect and hit the gas, making it to her condo in half the time. I forgo the elevator, taking the stairs two at a time, hoping the adrenaline will calm the rage brewing inside.
Her door opens before I approach, and she leans against the doorframe with a triumphant smirk.
One look and there’s no question she was waiting for me. The black silk and lace nightwear leaves most of her exposed.
“You don’t disappoint,” she purrs.
“What do you have for me?”
Her smirk slides into a salacious grin, her gaze flickering with a challenge. “That’s not how this works. You want my information, you agree to talk to me.”
A red film clouds my vision, and I’m momentarily distracted. Her hand curls around my neck, and the haze clears in time to catch her closing in.
“Step the fuck back and get off of me,” I grind out, clenching my fists, hostility filling the air.
She sighs. “So grumpy. I’m guessing your girlfriend has you in a bad mood.”
“Don’t mention Jewls again.”
“Jewls, such a sweet name.” She strides back into her condo. “Do you take your coffee the same?”
“This isn’t a social visit.”
“It could be.”
“Darla, stop fucking with me. You the one who called in the anonymous tip?”