Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 114819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 574(@200wpm)___ 459(@250wpm)___ 383(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 574(@200wpm)___ 459(@250wpm)___ 383(@300wpm)
Daydreams of Dev used to bounce around his head, never giving his soul a moment’s reprieve. He gave an inner mocking laugh at the memory of himself, a skinny, underdeveloped, perpetually happy boy who constantly tried to engage the elusive bad boy with the simple greeting of hello. Hello, hello, hello, hello. He’d never taken the hint that Dev’s scowl meant he wasn’t interested in being friends.
He drew up his pants and tucked himself inside. Then he reached for his dress shirt, shrugging an arm through a sleeve as Dev rolled from the bed.
“You aren’t gonna say nothin’?” Dev’s tone hovered on the edge of anger. “What happened? Did you figure somethin’ out?” Dev asked, fists dropping to his hips. “Come back to bed and tell me all about it. Chill the fuck out. I’m the unexplainably angry one.”
Cash shook his head, hoping Dev stayed on that side of the room. “No, I’m gonna go workout. Check in with my director. See if Keyes was told he’s out of the club. I also want permanent security on you. We’ve been patient, but it’s time my superiors worked it out.”
“Why do I need any more security than you?” Dev countered, sauntering toward Cash in a clear message of I don’t need anyone. I got myself covered.
Maybe Dev’s movements weren’t meant to be sexy as much as chock-full of cocky attitude. It was just the way Dev moved. He walked straight into Cash’s personal space.
The Dev in his dreams was wrong. The man smelled sinfully sexy all the time. When he got this close, he had a way of occupying Cash’s mind until nothing else mattered. He couldn’t allow it to happen any longer. He’d been foolish until now.
“I was under the impression limited people know about me workin’ with you. Five total.” Dev used his fingers and started counting those people off, probably trying to take Cash’s mind off his troubles. “You, Shanna, the security guy who never speaks. Joe, right? The flower chick—Rose or Lily or Magnolia. Shanna’s chick, who’s quieter than Joe and never around. One plus one plus one until you reach five. I guess I make six. We’re a decent enough team. Besides, my big ole bear ain’t gonna let nothin’ happen to me.” The teasing only accentuated the dire warning of his nightmare, causing Cash to move away from Dev.
“I have your back, but I can’t shake how quickly your father’s informant put together Alec Pierce being at the jail asking for Keyes. All we have is each other against a vastly corrupt system. You haven’t always been honest with me. We have too many obstacles in our way. I tried, but the risk is too great. I can’t take the chance with your safety any longer.”
The mischievous glint in Dev’s eyes flaunted how much the devil inside him liked the idea of riding the line. Dev’s unwavering confidence showed the absurdity of Cash worrying about his safety. Instead of saying any of that, Dev kept his composure, meaning he was most likely teetering around the truth of something...
“I’m on board now. I’m committed. We spend a lot of time together. You got me covered.”
Cash ran his hand the length of his face. If only that were true.
“The dream was that bad?” Dev asked, irritation replacing the playfulness in his tone. “I’m standin’ here naked. We fuck. That’s what we’re good at. Why aren’t we?”
Cash sighed and bent his head, digging his thumb and forefinger into his eyes, trying to push the visions of the nightmare away.
“All right then,” Dev said with authority and turned away. “Get security on me. It’s straight-up ice out there. We’re stuck in for the day. I’m in this buildin’ with federal agents. The best the government has to offer. What could possibly go wrong if we hit the sack for the next twenty-four hours?”
A simple knock on the door drew their attention in that direction. No one ever interrupted them once they closed the bedroom door.
“We’ve been trying to reach you, boss. But I just found your phone,” Joe said through the closed door. “There’s been some developments you need to be aware of.”
Cash looked directly at Dev who gave a ridiculously innocent look. “What did you do now?”
“What? Why do you think I’m involved?” Dev said outlandishly.
“Tell me what you did?” Cash said again, taking the five or six strides to the door.
“You would know.” Dev looked around the room for something to wear. “I’ve been here with you since the storm started. Check the video.” Dev didn’t care who saw him naked, so Cash didn’t wait to open the door. Joe, though, was ready and took a couple of steps backward, staring down at the tablet in his hand.
What had Cash’s life become that the agents under him automatically averted their gaze in self-preservation when he opened his door?