Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 106600 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 533(@200wpm)___ 426(@250wpm)___ 355(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106600 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 533(@200wpm)___ 426(@250wpm)___ 355(@300wpm)
In fact, all the funds can come from Brooks as long as it’s the right amount, I don’t care. The loan provided is the same, so the terms are as well. I will not be decreasing the repayment because River doesn’t want to continue with the business.
“What is it you wanted to talk to me about?”
“Yes, sorry. It’s about the ice titan. We’ve been monitoring the location you gave us. I can’t help feeling like someone has been tipping him off.
“Not one sighting. Yet when it’s my shift to watch for him, I can scent him in the air. I thought I should report this to you as I don’t know who can be trusted,” Brooks says.
I tighten my fists on my desk as I think through his words. I had a team put together to monitor the location Billy said she saw Bardo enter. I already felt like the results were taking too long to be reported. Each shift has an ice being who should be able to take Bardo on sight, or they should call for me.
“Thank you. I will look into this.”
He nods and places a hand over his heart then bows. I haven’t had any reports of the twins transforming since sending them away. I wonder what Bardo is up to.
“I think it’s time to look in on Ricci,” I murmur to myself.
Full of Surprises
“What are you up to?” I say as I find Ardan leaning up against my car when I walk out of the precinct at the end of my shift.
I look around to make sure no one saw him appear out of thin air. It’s been a long night, the last thing I need is to have to deal with a noisy human. Not seeing anyone, I walk right into his waiting arms.
“That was brutal. I’ve never wanted to tear a human apart more in my life. I thought I’d do something special for you,” he replies as he wraps me in his embrace.
“God, I thought he was going to force you out of the necklace. Gates was in a particularly nasty mood today,” I groan.
Captain Gates tore into me like nobody’s business. I think he went off on me for an hour. I didn’t even do anything to warrant the blasting. It wasn’t my case or investigation he ripped into me about.
The only reason he took it all out on me is because I asked about the Ricci investigation. I caught a few whispers that Candido is facing a RICO and his businesses are being audited.
Ardan had mentioned wanting to know if Bardo had been in contact with Candido since the murder of the chef. I thought I could ask the captain to fill me in, not tear me a new one.
“He almost did. If it wasn’t against our laws, I would have really put him in his place.”
“Wait, what’s that supposed to mean? You did something, didn’t you? What did you do, Ardan?”
He gives me a mischievous grin. “I may have turned his bowels to water. He’ll have the runs for a day or two.”
I gasp. “You didn’t.”
“You’re not the only one who wants to stake out Candido. By the time he returns, we’ll have the answers we want.”
I can’t help laughing. “I’ll be more likely to be reprimanded for it too. He’s only going to come back irritable.”
“Not as irritable as his bowels.” He shrugs.
“Oh to be a fly on the wall when that situation hits.”
“He’ll make it home if he doesn’t make any stops before his shituation sets in. Now, it’s time to forget about him. Get in. I’m driving,” he says as he opens the passenger side door.
“This is new.”
“I want you to sit back and relax. I can change the car for one of mine if that makes you more comfortable.”
“How would you do that? Someone would see.”
Before I finish my words, my city-issued sedan turns into a candy-blue Mercedes truck. Ardan stands laughing at me as my mouth sits open. I look around quickly to see if anyone is paying attention.
“Get in the vehicle, Billy. I know how to cloak my magic. No one saw anything. Not even a super would have seen my actions.”
“Well excuse me,” I tease and hop into the passenger seat.
He closes the door and moves to get in behind the wheel. I don’t know why I’m so excited. Probably because Ardan doesn’t miss when it comes to his surprises.
I’ve felt so pampered in the last month. I may not know what sex with other guys is like, but I’ve dated enough to know Ardan is the exception when it comes to taking care of his woman. With each day, I know I’m getting closer to saying those words.
I don’t think it’s the bond forcing these feelings. It’s Ardan’s actions. He has made it safe for me to open up to him.