Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 63542 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 318(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63542 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 318(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
“A house here in Angel Harbor in a quiet residential neighborhood and a boat at the marina. But this is where it gets interesting.” He points out two spots on a map of Angel Harbor. “Two warehouses. One in Hector’s name and rented by Nogales, and one owned by none other than Geoffrey Morgan.”
His expression says it’s a name I should know, but I don’t.
I ask the obvious question. “Who is Geoffrey Morgan?” I say, wondering if I’m the only person who doesn’t know who he is.
Dix snorts and shakes his head. “He’s a really rich fuck in the import/export business. He owns Morgan International, a shipping company with no loyalty to any flag or any government. He does business with cartel bosses, warlords, gun runners, and Fortune 500 companies. He has a daughter who works with him, and she’s his only weak spot.”
“Based on what?” I ask. “Having kids and women makes you vulnerable, period, but why is she his only weak spot?”
“The fact that until recently, she never went anywhere without a big security detail. And her only job experience is with daddy’s companies.”
Wild Man shrugs as if that answers the question.
“And,” Dix adds, “she’s spoiled as fuck. He gives her whatever she wants, so he might do just about any damn thing to get her back.”
There’s a glint in his eyes I know well. It usually means trouble for somebody.
“That’s some info we can work with,” Ace says, his gaze fixed on Dix. “You’ve been watching the Morgans, so I want you to get close to the daughter.”
I know what normal people think getting close means and what Dix thinks it means, so I turn to Wild Man with a grin. “Is she hot?”
Wild Man grins in Dix’s direction before swiping the screen and turning it to show us a picture of Aria and her father at some black tie event. She’s hot as fuck, and Dix agrees because he nods and licks his lips, but he doesn’t say one fucking word.
“Tough gig,” I say with a laugh.
Dix shrugs and spreads his arms wide. “What can I say? I am the right man for the job. Even Ace agrees.”
We all laugh to relieve some of the tension over our current situation, on lockdown and constantly looking over our shoulders.
“Good,” Ace says sharply, getting our minds back on point. “ Wild Man will get you all the intel you need to make it happen on father and daughter, but mostly on Morgan International. Find out what Wild Man and Gia can’t find. Get my drift?”
Dix nods and pushes away from the table. “No time like the present.”
“I’ll check out the other warehouse,” I volunteer, eager to find anything that will help us locate Nogales and put him in the ground.
“I’ll go with you,” Coop volunteers.
Shades laughs. “Ready to do something other than breastfeed?”
“Fuck you,” Coop says with a laugh. “But getting out in the sunshine, fucking some shit up sounds really fucking nice. Rocky is great. I love that little munchkin with all my heart and soul, but goddamn, parenting is exhausting.”
Ace nods. “Take Lucky with you. I’ll take Preacher and Tank to check out the house and the boat. Meet back here later to go over what we find.”
We all disperse, each of us hungry as fuck to end this escalating war.
Chapter Nine
Willow
I stand in front of the counter at the bakery and force my eyes open to address my troops, Lettie and McKenna.
“Okay, ladies, I’ve been here since four fucking o’clock, and we have buy one, get one offers for select bread loaves, lemon cupcakes, and devil’s food baby cakes.”
I turn to McKenna with a racing heart because I really don’t want to fuck this up while Maven is away in jail.
“Got it?” I have to make the point, but I force a smile on my tired face because I’m so fucking grateful to my buddies.
Kenna jots down a note and looks up with a wide smile that shouldn’t be allowed after all this hard work. “Yeah, I got it. I’ll put it on the specials board. The old timers really love that schtick.”
“Perfect,” I tell her sincerely. “Thanks for jumping in like this, both of you.”
“No worries,” Letty says as she ties a For Goodness Cakes apron around her waist. “This is what family does. What do you need me to do today?”
Bless you, I think as I tap my chin and then pull out the notes I made last night for today’s workload.
“Muffins for the health-conscious crowd and cupcakes and cookies for the after-lunch customers. The recipes are pinned to the walls, and if you have any questions, just ask.”
I’m holding my breath, waiting for someone to call me out on being an imposter, pretending to be a capable businesswoman when I’m just me. Good time, Willow.