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)
Dix is right, but more than that, he is pissed off. He is—justifiably—angry the LTC got the better of him and took Aria.
“If we can get Aria back, we’ll have Morgan aligned with us.”
“Los Tres Colombianos are into the coke business,” I say, even though it’s old intel from a different lifetime. “At least they used to be.”
Wild Man nods and refers to his tablet. “Coke is their main business. Kidnapping, extortion, and trafficking are more of a side hustle for LTC. Chances are good as fuck that the next shipment is coke, or at least predominantly coke.”
“All right. Come up with a plan to get it, and Wild Man, we need a place to hide it. Someplace they can’t find it.”
He smiles like a kid in a candy store. “I know just the place. You boys just get the shipment, and I’ll tell you exactly where to put it.”
Dix nods, finally showing signs of something other than anger. “And see if you can figure out where they’re holding Aria. She was scared as fuck, screaming her fucking head off as they carted her off.”
“We’ll find your girl,” Wild Man assures Dix with a fraternal smile.
“Not my girl,” Dix shoots back automatically. “But she doesn’t deserve this.”
“Don’t worry, brother. We’ll make sure she’s safe. It’s in our best interest to do so.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Willow
“Look at that smile on your face!”
Maven teases me mercilessly and has ever since Joaquin dropped me off.
“I can’t help it,” I squeal and cover my embarrassment by laughing into my hands to cover my burning cheeks. I try to school my features, to tone down my smile, but after the night I had with Joaquin, his declaration of love, I’m floating on motherfucking air.
“Okay,” I tell her and set my lips into a flat line. “I’m fine. Normal. Good.” So much more than good that I’m sure all my feelings are out there for the world to see.
Maven and Letty laugh right in my face. “Come on, spill the goods,” Letty insists. “Something happened because yesterday you were all sullen like you and Joaquin had broken up.”
Maven nods her agreement. “And today, you are practically radioactive with the way you’re glowing.”
I know it because I feel it, too, down to my toes. I’m happy. No, I am better than happy. What’s the next level up from happy? Ecstatic? Pleased? Gleeful? Giddy.
I pull it together and tell them, “Let’s just say that I had a good night. A really good night.” I want to share all of it with the girls, but it is so special and so precious to me that I’m not ready to share it. Yet.
“Just tell me,” Maven begins with a serious expression that puts me slightly on edge. “Did he rock your world?”
I nod enthusiastically. My face is red as hell, and I don’t know how I’m blushing after all the shit we did to each other last night, so I just sigh.
“In the best fucking way possible.”
Just thinking of how he’d fucked me in the kitchen, licked me to orgasm, produces a full body shiver that makes the girls squeal with delight.
“I came so many times that I passed out for a few seconds. Damn near cried my eyes out.”
Because Stone and Diesel hang close to the door outside, keeping an eye on things, I don’t want to talk too loudly and give them any ammunition to shit-talk Joaquin about later. It is our personal business, and I don’t want to embarrass my man.
“No way!” Letty’s eyes are wide with shock. “Not possible.”
“Totally possible,” I shoot back at the same time Maven does. We look at each other, sharing knowing expressions before we burst out laughing. It feels good to share some bits with the girls, especially now that I know where I stand with Joaquin. Girl talk is even more fun, knowing that this thing with us is more than a fling.
With my hand on my heart, I say, “I’m so happy right now that nothing can rain on my parade.”
Maven looks around, and a flash of worry shines in her eyes because business is slow today. Super slow. “Well, tell us everything while it’s still quiet in here.”
I don’t want to share everything, but I was here every step of the way with Maven and Wilder, so I give up a few small details.
“Okay, first of all, he took me to a beautiful Airbnb and made me his mama’s chili relleno. From scratch.”
The girls are both sporting matching wide-eyed expressions. “How sweet. You’re in love,” Maven says plainly like it’s a fact.
“Maybe.” I shrug. “I don’t know. It’s still so new.”
“Liar,” Letty declares just as tires screech outside. Seconds later, one of the big front windows shatters behind us as gunshots ring out.
“What the fuck?” I yell and turn to the window where Stone and Diesel have their guns out, shooting at men running toward us. Bullets spray the front of the bakery.