Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 28041 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 28041 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
“Mornin, bossman,” I reply.
Even as Avery draws, she turns away from the book just enough to thank Angel with another kiss before he retreats into the back office. The love they have in their eyes for one another is something I see for me and Rex.
My mind wanders about everything I’ll get to do with him, everything I’ll get to be. When the bell above the door chimes again, I hope it’s him. I want to love him more than anything and to know that he loves me. I have a feeling it’s that deep for Rex—from the way he holds me while we sleep at night to the way he continues to be the man for me.
However, there’s something ominous in the steps walking into the shop. Avery looks toward the person coming inside and then at me.
“Doll, why don’t you head inside the office and file those invoices I told you about?” she tells me with a nod.
I don’t ask questions. I get up to move toward the office, and Angel comes out. The fierce look in his eyes along with the strength of his walk tell me I need to get out of sight.
“Mr. Carlyle, good morning,” Angel greets the stranger in the shop. “Welcome. How can I help you?”
I continue to walk toward the office, but my steps aren’t fast enough as I hear the deep voice behind me. “Please, don’t leave, dear. Join us. My name is Lorenzo. I’d like a word with you all.”
My heart flutters as I turn around, smart enough to know I can’t walk away from this. He’s tall with ink-black hair slicked back into a low ponytail, with his hairline desperately trying to flee away from his temples. His eyes are dark, sunken, and menacing against his high cheekbones. The leather jacket he wears reminds me of Rex’s scent, but there is nothing sexy about Mr. Carlyle.
Angel stands between me, Avery, and Lorenzo. I can see the gun tucked into the back of Angel’s waistband—a reminder of Avery’s words to me moments ago.
“Now, Raina Olsen of 382 Newton Drive, apartment 1D, daughter of Owen Olsen. I need you to do something for me,” Lorenzo says, his eyes looking through Angel, piercing into me like a fear I’ve never known.
“What do you need from me?” I ask him.
He leers at me, his gaze sinister. “Call your Daddy.”
11
REX
The tin box sitting in my passenger seat has dents in it from where I had to pull it out from under the sink. What the hell was Owen thinking by leaving it there?
I call him as soon as I get into my car. Luckily for me, he answers right away. “What’s wrong, Rex?”
“For starters, your little stunt last night set off all kinds of alarms at Raina’s place. I have her place wired with cameras and motion sensors,” I tell him with a twinge of annoyance.
“Did you find it?” he asks, with his voice barely above a whisper.
“The box? Yes, I found it. It didn’t take a search party or anything. Pretty fucking obvious hiding spot if you ask me.”
“I wanted it to be obvious to you. Those are the originals in that box. I have copies with me and that’s what I’m using to lay breadcrumbs for the agents I’m working with.”
“Is talking on your phone okay? I feel like you shouldn’t be talking on the phone about this.”
He sighs. “I probably shouldn’t but I just don’t give a fuck anymore, Rex. I’m tired of being a fuck up. I hid those originals hoping you’d find them. Just listen. Lorenzo doesn’t know I’m working with the feds yet. I mean, at least, I hope he doesn’t. I have all the faith in the world that he’s going to know real soon, if he hasn’t figured it out.”
“What’s your plan, O?”
“Shit, I hate it when you call me that.”
“I hate it when you act like it. We’re a long ways away from our law school days, but still, you manage to track bullshit up and through our lives. I need you to wipe your fucking feet. You’re dirtying up my house, O.”
“For fuck’s sake, Rex, don’t go cold on me. I’m making it right. Keep the originals. That’s for if Lorenzo gets his hands on me, you can still make good on my word to the feds. You can read my shorthand. You know me and can decipher it all for them. Some of your clients may pop up as well.”
“Are you trying to get me disbarred? What the fuck have you been up to in our FUCKING FIRM!” I slam my fists against the steering wheel.
“Okay, listen, just listen. I’ll explain it all if I get through this, but we don’t have time for that now. I’m still out with the nurse, and I’m making my way east. There’s a friend of mine who can run my information through several agencies. I want them all fighting over me so it’s in their best interest to keep me alive and protected. If you don’t hear from me in the next few days, you take that box and find this guy named Chuck Barrose. He’s an agent working between the two counties. Keep Raina safe and I’ll check back in–”