Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 128307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 642(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 642(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
The next morning, I’m still going through the particulars of Cameron’s file. My eyes are blurry from a lack of sleep, but I don’t need perfect vision to register that we have an early-morning visitor. Someone is knocking at the front door of Macy’s apartment, their bangs similar to those law enforcement uses when issuing a warrant.
As I get up to answer the door, Macy slips into the bathroom for the umpteenth time in the past six hours. I should probably cut back on how often I offer her a drink. She used the bathroom a record thirteen times last night. Yes, I counted.
After scrubbing my eyes to rid them of the gunk crusted in the corners, I swing open the door. I don’t spot anyone until a cough forces my eyes to lower. Macy is short compared to her male counterparts, but this petite blonde is fairy -sized. Her head barely reaches my nipples, and she looks like a light breeze could carry her away.
“Agent Cartwright, at your service.” She salutes me, mistaking a protocol usually reserved for the military. “I was briefed on the situation, and I am here to help.” She clears the wide berth of my shoulders before assessing Macy, who is leaving the bathroom, like she’s the target in question. I realize that is the case when the agent murmurs to herself, “I should have brought a larger extender.” Her eyes are back on me, determined and somewhat scary. “I didn’t realize she was so far along. No fear. I packed spare extenders. They’re in my car. I’ll be right back.”
She races out of the apartment with a spring in her step that announces this is her first assignment.
She is barely out of eyesight when Macy’s words crack out of her mouth like a whip. “You replaced me?” She enters the living room, her steps thunderous. “I don’t need a replacement. This is my case.”
Although I am absolutely loving the return of her gall, I hook my thumb in the direction the kindergarten student fronting as an agent went, and say, “I have no fucking clue who she is.” When Macy scoffs as if I am lying, my spine straightens. “I have no reason to lie to you, Mace. And why would I buy and assemble a changing table and crib if I were planning to replace you?”
“Probably because she’s still in diapers.” Macy’s tone is furious until what she said dawns on her. A smile lifts her cheeks before the most beautiful noise erupts from her lips. I’ve missed her laugh. “I’m such a bitch.”
“It’s not bitching when it’s true.”
I join her in the living room before spinning to face the door I left hanging open. The large windows in this building showcase the pristine coastline that stretches for miles on this side of the country, but the entry doors overlook the visitors’ parking lot. It isn’t usually an appealing visual, but watching Agent Cartwright’s clumsy attempt to gather something from the trunk of her car without entering it is entertaining.
With a stomach extender hooked under her arm, Cartwright slams down the trunk of her ride and pushes the lock button on her keys, flashing orange lights into the low-level apartments.
“Are you legally allowed to drive if you can’t see over the steering wheel?”
Macy kicks me in the shin like she’s not seconds from laughing like a hyena. “I’m not sure, but I’ll ask Santa about his rules for taking the sleigh out for a spin when he comes to collect his missing elf.”
Spit flies from my mouth when I struggle to hold back a howl. It lands at the feet of Agent Cartwright when her small stature fills the doorway like she took the stairs between the parking lot and the apartment two at a time. If her wheezing is anything to go by, she did.
After taking in my six-foot-four stuttering frame and Macy’s equaling stuttering five foot seven inches, Cartwright murmurs, “The FBI has no minimum height restrictions.” A playful glint fires through her eyes before a mischievous aura radiates from her. “They only request that I use a booster seat while driving.”
I lose the ability to hold in my laughter. I howl like a wolf, and Agents Machini and Cartwright are right there with me.
My response to Agent Cartwright’s arrival makes me feel like a complete ass. Adeline knows her shit. Within an hour of reviewing the blueprints of the buildings hosting Lamaze classes tomorrow afternoon in San Diego, she had all vantage points mapped and a solid surveillance plan at the ready.
She just won’t be fronting as a mother-to-be since I don’t want any agent paired with her to face charges for solicitation with a minor.
“I think that covers everything until tomorrow.” Adeline collects her laptop and satchel from the dining table before twisting to face Macy and me. “If you have any questions, I’m right next door.”