Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24615 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24615 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
I was dead tired, and the place had been closed for an hour, so I decided to spend a few hours wrapped around Alice and catch some shuteye.
She looked peaceful as she slept, and I knew I should let her rest. But once I climbed into bed and pulled her naked body into mine, all sense fled. Three orgasms later, we both collapsed into an exhausted but extremely satisfied sleep.
Alice was still dead to the world when my eyes popped open a few hours later. I carefully extracted myself from the bed so I wouldn’t wake her. Then I grabbed a quick shower before going to the kitchen for a giant cup of coffee.
Once I was back at my desk, I booted up all the monitors on and over my desk and got back to work. An hour later, Alice knocked softly on my door.
“Can I come in?”
I smiled and held out my hand, beckoning her to come toward me. She’d picked it up fast for someone who’d been new to my world. A lot of women might have been offended about having to ask their man for permission to come into a room. But Alice knew it was possible that I was working on club business, and she understood. She was fucking perfect.
“Morning, gorgeous,” I murmured when she padded over to me.
“It was a little weird not waking up with you this morning,” she admitted sheepishly. “I’m not sure how I got so used to it in just a few days.”
I nodded and pulled her down sideways onto my lap. “It might be fast, but I don’t care. I don’t ever want to sleep without you in my arms. Sorry I wasn’t there when you woke up.”
“I know you have important work to do, Grady.”
I gave her a sweet kiss, then leaned back to look into her eyes. My first instinct was always to protect her, but she’d accepted me, accepted the life I lived, so it was only fair that I shared what I could with her. Especially when it concerned her.
“Working on finding the bastard who tagged your car.”
Alice cocked her head, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Any luck?”
“A little. I spotted the logo for the bar over on South Street. Now I’m digging into the background of their employees.”
Alice frowned. “I’ve never even been there. Why would someone have an issue with me?”
She nibbled on her bottom lip, so I peeled it from between her teeth. “Stop worrying, gorgeous. I’ve got this. I’ll figure this shit out. You gotta know I’d never let anything happen to you.”
“I know.” Snuggling deeper into my embrace, she laid her head on my chest. “Which is the only reason I feel okay about going into work today.”
I hated the idea of her not being at the compound right now, but I figured she’d be safe at the school with all of the security there. Especially with one of my guys keeping an eye on her…and me tapping into their video feeds.
11
DEVIANT
Ihated how long this shit had taken away from my time with Alice. But it would be worth it once the problem wasn’t hanging over our heads. It took nearly twenty-four hours of deep-diving, but early the following morning—before Alice was even awake—I found a connection between a very frequent customer and an aide at the preschool.
Apparently, they’d been on a few dates. It was a weak thread, but it was all I had.
I sent the man’s information to the other enforcers and asked someone to pick up the asshole and bring him to the guesthouse. That was our name for the building set far back on the compound that we used to convince people to talk. And to deal with assholes who had been stupid enough to cross us.
Fox was dealing with some other business, but despite the early hour, Maverick was in his office when I dropped in. To my surprise, Molly was on one of the sofas in the small sitting area, changing Luna’s diaper. “When are you gonna start letting Mommy sleep in?” she cooed to the baby.
Both Maverick’s and Molly’s heads popped up when I knocked.
Molly took one look at my face and asked, “You guys need some privacy?”
Molly was a badass chick. But she also understood the roles of an MC more than most women, having grown up as the daughter of the president of another club with a fierce reputation. Like the Iron Rogues, they were known for being ruthless. But it was also common knowledge that the men worshipped their women and would stop at nothing to protect them.
I shook my head, then filled Mav in on what I’d found.
“You already sent some enforcers to pick him up?” he asked, though his tone implied that he knew the answer.
“Yeah.”
Mav raised his chin in acknowledgment. “Take whoever you need to question him.”