Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 102394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Juliette set pancakes and bacon on the table, then took the seat across from me.
I folded the newspaper and set it aside. “What’s on the agenda for today?”
“I have to go meet Bradley Wilson.”
“The asshole actor you were doing rewrites for when we first met?”
She nodded. “I thought I was finally done with them. They’re almost to the end of filming, but he’s decided to change the ending now. I’m sure the author of the book is going to love that.”
“What time do you need to be there?”
“Ten.” She looked at the time on her phone. “Which is in an hour, and I didn’t even shower yet.”
“Me neither.” I grinned. “Sounds like we should save time and do that together.”
“That will not save time. It will make me late,” she replied. “Besides, we had sex an hour ago.”
“I know, but I’m still turned on from watching you at the stove.”
“You’re insatiable.” Juliette chuckled. “We’re meeting at the studio offices instead of on set. So at least you won’t be bothered about being on the lot today.”
An hour later, after a quickie in the shower, we were on the road, and I caught myself whistling. Whistling. I wasn’t a damn whistler. But I guess two rounds of morning sex before ten AM will do that to a man. Though my whistle was cut short when I glanced in the rearview mirror and noticed that a black sedan three car-lengths back changed lanes right after I did. Tinted windows. Same car I’d clocked when we first hit the highway. I didn’t want to alarm Juliette, since it was probably nothing, but I sat up straighter, my hands tightening on the wheel as I sharpened my focus.
When I got off at the next exit, the sedan did, too, though it was now back five lengths. At the first light, I turned left, and the car kept going straight, so I breathed a little easier. Five minutes later, we pulled up to the studio office. I parked in the loading zone in front of the building, hoping no one would hassle me since I was staying in the car. If they did, I’d have to pull the ex-cop card and hope I got a courtesy.
While Juliette unbuckled and gathered her things, I jogged around the car to open her door.
“I’m probably going to be here most of the day,” she said, stepping out. “Nothing to do with Bradley Wilson is quick.”
I shrugged. “It’s fine. I’ll be here waiting.”
“Thanks. I’ll see you later.” She leaned in and kissed me.
At first, it didn’t even register. Kissing her goodbye felt natural at this point. But then a heavy feeling washed over me. What if one of Vince’s guys had eyes on us? What if that simple gesture got me killed and ruined her life because she’d have to carry the burden forever?
We needed to be smarter. I’d have to remind Juliette about that when she got back.
I returned to the driver’s seat and scanned the street. Everything ahead looked clear. But when I checked the rearview mirror, I froze. The black sedan with tinted windows was now parked four cars back. Had it been there when we pulled up and I’d missed it? Or had it crept to the curb while I was busy kissing Juliette goodbye?
Suddenly on high alert, I adjusted the mirror, my eyes darting all over the cars behind me. Which was probably why I didn’t notice the figure closing in on the passenger side.
The door yanked open, and before I could react, someone slipped into the seat beside me.
I didn’t even get a chance to breathe a sigh of relief once I saw it wasn’t Vince or any of his men. Because it was someone worse.
My boss.
Captain Dana Rourke.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” she yelled.
Fuck! Fuck! Fuuuck! I played dumb. Stupid move, considering I knew her well enough to know it’d only piss her off more. “What are you talking about? I’m parked here because Juliette’s inside.”
“I’m talking about kissing the suspect’s daughter! What the fuck’s going on, Callahan? You trying to blow our entire sting operation because you need to get your dick wet?”
The shock of having my NYPD captain slide into the car started to fade, just enough for me to realize something else. A cop being here in my car was more dangerous than kissing Vince’s daughter. I glanced toward the building Juliette had gone into, then scanned the street and sidewalks all around me. “Me blow it? Juliette could see you. Or worse, Vince’s guys could be lurking around.”
“It’s not my first day on the job, Callahan,” she snapped. “I know what I’m doing. I have four of LA’s finest in cars keeping an eye on the area to make sure it’s secure.”
I raked a hand through my hair. “What are you doing here?”