Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 73302 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 367(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73302 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 367(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
“Gentlemen.” Remington held out his hand to Robichaux, then the other man who’d joined us. “I’m Remington Theriot. This is my cousin.” He glanced toward me. “What can I do to help you?”
“I know who you are,” Robichaux said.
Remington smiled. “Ah. My reputation precedes me.”
Robichaux huffed. “Yeah. Right.”
Remington narrowed his eyes, and the asshole took a step back. He might have all kinds of thoughts about my cousin, but he was going to learn quickly not to voice them to Remington’s face.
I hated that I needed my cousin to rescue me. I felt like the damn kid everybody told me I was, but I was also glad Remington was there to handle the situation.
He glanced at me again and noticed the ice pack in my hand.
“Were you hurt?”
“I burned my hand.”
His eyes widened. “Jesus. You were that close.”
I shook my head. “Mom’s necklace was in the car. I… um… I tried to get it.”
I thought he would bitch at me, but instead, he laid a hand on my shoulder. “I’m sorry. You need to take care of your hand. Go on back in the house. I’ll send one of the paramedics to check you out.”
“That’s really not necessary.”
“Rafael, go back in the house.”
“We’re in the middle of interviewing your cousin,” Robichaux said. “If he’s the owner of—”
“I’m the owner of all the vehicles,” Remington said. “It’s my cousin’s car to use, but I’m the one you need to talk to.”
The other detective spoke up. “Do you have any idea who would want to blow up your car?”
“No. I can’t think of anyone foolish enough to target me.”
I fought the urge to laugh, knowing if I got started, I wouldn’t be able to stop. I was still shocky and might tip over into full hysteria any minute. I wanted to stick around and hear what else Remington said, but I was already going to catch hell from him once he was done with the cops, so I went inside like he wanted.
Two paramedics, a young woman and a middle-aged man, came inside a few moments later. They chatted with me as the woman cleaned my burn and bandaged my hand. When she was done, her partner gave me instructions for how to take care of it, but I only half listened.
They were both nice enough, but I wanted them out of the house. I needed a few moments alone before Remington came inside, and I was expecting more family to arrive at any moment.
When I peeked out the window, I saw I’d been right. Lorenzo and Dante were stepping out of Lorenzo’s car. Remington pointed them toward the door.
Here we go. I was going to get a lecture while a federal agent hid upstairs, a federal agent I’d just gotten off with. Zach was going to hear everything, and if he didn’t already know why I’d been targeted, he’d quickly find out I was my family’s weakest link.
15
ZACH
Istayed as still as possible. I’d quickly figured out where the floor creaked and where I could safely stand and listen to everything that went on downstairs. I’d watched from a window as Remington talked to the police. The man I’d wanted to take down forever, Remington Theriot, was right there. But now, I was on his side. Kind of.
What could I do anyway? There was nothing I could charge him with. He left no trail at any crime site, and he had plenty of friends in the NOPD, in the government, in other criminal organizations. He’d been untouchable for years, and I sure as hell wasn’t going to reel him in now. As much as I’d like to do that, I wanted Ivanov a lot more.
I listened as the paramedics examined Rafe’s hand and let out a long breath when they said the burn didn’t need anything but basic care. They gave him some antibiotic cream and fresh bandages. I would make sure Rafe followed all their instructions.
Then I realized what that implied. What was wrong with me? I wasn’t his nanny. Why was I so concerned about him?
He’s your partner. He’s your way in.
Right. He was part of the job. That’s all this was. I was playing a role for a job. Except now Rafe knew my name, and I knew what it felt like to have his lips around my dick.
When the paramedics left the house, I returned to the window. The firefighters were packing up their trucks, and only a couple of uniformed officers remained on the scene. I watched as a sleek black car parked in front of the house. Two men got out, and I recognized them as Lorenzo and Dante, Rafe’s brothers.
That was a lot of Theriots in one spot. I should be nervous as hell. I should be planning how to escape out of one of the windows and get the hell out of there, but I was busy worrying about Rafe. Instead of fleeing or finding a secure hiding place, I crept back toward the stairs and positioned myself so I could hear whatever the men had to say to Rafe.