Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
“Fuck yeah, I am.”
“Arrogance isn’t becoming.”
“Truth isn’t arrogance. Knew you wouldn’t make this easy.”
“Yet, you got your way.”
“I was willing to compromise.”
“You played me.”
“Not a chance. I laid out my cards, hoping you’d make the right choice.”
She throws her head back laughing loudly. I take advantage of her position, running my tongue along the column of her neck.
“Those plans are preliminary. We can change anything or scratch and start over.”
She shakes her head, bringing her hands to frame my face. “I want to go there now, walk the lot.”
“It’ll be dark in about ten minutes.”
She glances across the field at the setting sun and chews her bottom lip.
Shit, I know that disappointment.
“You think you can visualize with flashlights?”
Her eyes brighten and she nods.
“One condition. Jewls, Harley, and Rowan are chomping at the bit to pounce. They show up, you don’t agree to anything. No drinks, no visiting babies, absolutely no ‘quick chats’. I want you to myself.” I roll my hips, letting her feel my rock-hard cock ready to go.
“Why am I not surprised they know about this?” She grins, giving me a kiss. “We’ll be quick and sneaky.”
“Quick isn’t what I have in mind tonight.”
“Then get me to Holmes Court to see my future home.”
Home… the word slides through me, leaving a burn in its wake.
I set her down, adjusting myself as I gather the papers. “Let’s get you home.”
28
WILLOW
“She knows me and Shayla from the salon,” Rowan frets.
“I turned away her business.” Ember strums her nails on the table. “Jewls, Harley, all of us were on social media at Declan and Finn’s birthday party.”
“If that is the criteria, all of us are out. Raven and I posted a ton of pictures on Sayge’s pages.” Harley pops a handful of gummy bears in her mouth.
We’re planning a Sting Operation… Jewls’ words.
Usually, I’d find her amusing until she lured me into the plan.
My eyes go back to the computer screen and the Gucci Disco bag my mom gifted me for my college graduation. A bag currently being offered on a resale marketplace from username ‘JRich’.
I glance around Clyde’s, ensuring we are still alone, even though the door hasn’t sounded with any new customers.
When Rowan asked me to meet her here, I assumed we were doing dress fittings or other wedding stuff. As soon as I walked in and saw the group of women huddled together, alarm bells rang.
No one was in their dress.
Champagne wasn’t flowing.
Accessories weren’t laid out.
This was a meeting of something else altogether, and Clyde’s was a safe place none of the guys would question.
“How’d you find this again?” I read through the inquiries on the designer bag.
“I dropped in to surprise Robbie, and his receptionist, Taylor, was gushing over her new handbag. She told me her old high school friend, Rylee Richards, was selling her personal belongings. She pulled up the site and showed me everything.” Ember clicks through the pages of items for sale, some of them crossed out as sold. “Are all these yours?”
“Yep.”
“We’ve got her. Now we just have to figure out who will be our buyer.”
Buyer meaning the one who gets to bust her for selling stolen goods. Apparently, Ember has been communicating under a fake identity and Rylee agreed to a meet.
“I’m impressed with your quick work on this. Your husband has trained you well,” Rowan praises.
Ember perks up proudly. “It could go either way. He likes to think he’s the only one who gets all the fun.”
Shit, I don’t want Ember to get in trouble. I don’t want to cause problems for any of these women.
“It should be me.”
All eyes swing my way, all of them flaming ‘are you fucking kidding?’
“This is my problem. I can’t ask any of you to stick your neck out and deal with Rylee’s brand of crazy.”
“We may not be able to scale buildings…” Jewls starts.
“Or take down Columbian cartels and kidnappers…” Harley cuts in.
“Or stop the spread of illegal drugs, guns, and sex-trafficking in the city…” Rowan ticks her fingers.
“Not to mention, running some of the highest security operations in this country…” Ember adds her plug.
“But we are skilled in taking down petty, jealous, spoiled bitches who need to learn their lesson. I’ve earned my degree in Rylee’s brand of crazy.” Shayla squares her shoulders. “I’ll put on a wig and dress like country club royalty.”
“That may actually work!” Harley claps.
“Guys—” I’m shut down by Jewls’ hand to my face.
“These guys don’t get all the glory. I came prepared.” She indicates a bag behind the counter.
“What is that?”
“Our outfits.”
“We need outfits?”
“This isn’t our first rodeo.”
I tip my chin, not sure I understand. “You’ve run a successful sting before?”
“Depends on what you mean by successful. We’ve had our share of luck. It’s how Shayla met Collin.”
“Really?” I glance at Shayla.
“Technically, yes, but the story is much more fun with alcohol. Since I need to get into character, it will have to wait.”