Total pages in book: 13
Estimated words: 11713 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 59(@200wpm)___ 47(@250wpm)___ 39(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 11713 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 59(@200wpm)___ 47(@250wpm)___ 39(@300wpm)
Dianna finished the wine and hopped up before she strode to the kitchen and dug in the cupboards for a bottle of something far harder than the wine they’d been sipping on.
“I’m going to take it that you ran on him again.” Dianna’s voice was free of inflection and judgement as she poured two very healthy shots into glasses. “That’s why you’re back here now instead of down there shagging your way across South America.”
Accepting the glass offered, she took a drink of the scotch and blinked as it burned all the way down.
“I left him a note, thanking him for everything. Then I came home. I have a job here. One, I might point out starts back next week.”
“I’m not judging, Jo. You will need to do what you ultimately feel is the best thing for you.”
“You don’t think I’m being a baby?”
Dianna finished her drink without so much as a wince as the harsh alcohol slipped down her throat. “I think you want me to validate what you did. I can’t do that or tell you that you were in the wrong. I’m your friend, Jo but this had to be a decision you can feel good about looking at yourself in the mirror for. The rest of your life.”
“Fuck. I hate it when you get all smart on me and shit.”
With a wink, her friend shrugged. “I’m always smart and shit. So are you. Believe that.”
The phone at Dianna’s side vibrated and she pulled it free in an instant, her brow furrowing as she stared at the screen. “One sec.” Phone to her ear, she spoke again. “What do you need, Taylor? I’m not on duty.”
Her doorbell rang and she got to her feet, still keeping an eye on her friend. She wasn’t a fan of the thunderous expression filling up her face.
“Yes?” Jo opened the door and sucked in a sharp breath.
Kenan stood there, his causal wear fitting his strong body in ways she couldn’t ever get out of her mind.
“Hello Jo.” His tongue dipped out and skimmed his lower lip. “I forgot to tell you something very important when you were down in Belize with me.”
She looked over her shoulder. “Come on in, Kenan. Dianna’s here.”
He wrapped an arm around her as they both stared at Dianna who walked toward them. The serious expression on her face, vanished slightly as she gave a slight smile to Kenan.
“Hello Kenan.”
“Dianna.” He kissed her cheek. “Everything okay?”
“Work thing. I have to run, Jo. But I’m thinking now that he’s here you probably wouldn’t be wanting me around anyway. Have fun.” Dianna hugged her and kissed her cheek. “Trust your gut.”
Grasping her wrist before Dianna could slip through the door, she asked, “Are you sure you’re okay? What’s going on?”
A flicker of uncertainty flashed before it became masked. “Just a case. You two have fun. And Kenan, you make her cry and I’ll kill you.” She was gone in the next breath.
Kenan pushed the door closed behind her departure. “She meant that, didn’t she?”
“Most definitely.”
His brows furrowed. “Are you sure she’s okay?”
“No, but I have to take her at her word. She never shares work with us.”
He braced her against the door. “I will follow you to the ends of the earth, Jo. I love you. You were made for me. My mate.”
Her heart raced and she licked her lips. “Mate? Like Selene and Emily are for Lando and Femi?”
He didn’t even blink. “Exactly like that.”
“And you knew this in Belize?”
He inched closer, brushing his hard body against hers. “I’ve known this since I met you.”
“You never said.”
Kenan’s lips twitched as he nuzzled her cheek. “When you first arrived in Brazil, you three were all mama bears. I wasn’t about to tell you. All your focus was on Selene and making sure she was safe.” He laced the fingers of her right hand with his. “I wanted to tell you. I wanted to scream it from the skies.”
“All those other women?” Jealousy hit her.
“Flirting. I’ve not been with a woman since I met you. I would never disrespect my mate in such a fashion.” Lips to lips he continued. “Ever.”
Nerves running rampant, she shifted and he moved back giving her space, no longer touching her. Silence weighed between them until he held out his hand.
“What?”
“Come fly with me.”
Jo placed her hand in his, trusting her gut and the need to be with him when they were separate. She loved him. Why not fly with him?
* * *
Different part of Miami
The light at the far of the street flickered, obviously on its last leg. The overwhelming stench of piss and alcohol permeated the air. No dumpsters for anyone to hide behind, no doorways, not much of anything.
The Crown Vic that rolled into the area did so without flashing lights or screaming sirens.