Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 118780 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 594(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118780 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 594(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
“They called me and Addie next,” Carson boasts. “We did recon on Tera before she left Chicago.”
I rub my temples, trying to get over why they are all talking like we’re trained investigators.
“Whatever happens tonight will lead us to the next steps. We decided it was time to bring you into the mix.”
Jewls and Harley sit up front, looking cool and calm and very much in control. Carson resembles the excitement of someone sitting on a tremendous secret.
Girls’ night out my ass.
“Perk up, Rowan, we got this.” Carson’s spark does nothing to help my anxiety.
“What is this, exactly?”
“Tera is making a name for herself at the station and not in a good way,” Harley starts.
“Wait, we should back up,” Carson interjects. “First, Tera has always loved the spotlight. It’s a part of her personality.”
“Knew that the first time I saw her,” I mumble, recalling her leaping into Ford’s arms.
“She aspired to model or act, but her parents insisted she finish college first. She saw the benefit of being on television and majored in journalism. After graduation, she expected the jobs to come easy. Undoubtedly, she didn’t imagine having to prove herself in the industry. Her resume doesn’t even list all the positions she held the first three years out of college.”
“Weren’t you estranged then?”
“Yes, but we saw each other occasionally. It wasn’t until the night of the charity function we revived our relationship.”
“The night you met the boyfriend and thought she’d changed?”
“Exactly. That’s where Addie and my recon comes in. We went back through Tera’s social media and tracked down a few old friends, casually mentioning Tera’s move, blah blah bah. Turns out Tera had changed when she met Collin. She was completely in love.”
“That’s a good thing, right?”
“Sure, it helps he’s mega-wealthy and well-connected. He’s some kind of tech guru and helped get her the interview for the television position here.”
“Then he dumped her?”
Carson’s face twists and Harley jumps back in. “My contact at the station said they hired Tera as an assistant to an assistant. Very entry level.”
“Everyone has to start somewhere.”
“Yes, but this is where it gets interesting. Tera made it clear she’s vying to be on air. There are whispers inside the studio. She’s working on something big that’s sure to get her noticed and promoted.”
“Like what?”
“That’s what tonight is about. Collin is speaking at a dinner engagement. We’ll happen to run into him.”
“We’re stalking the ex-boyfriend?”
“It’s not stalking; it’s gathering intel,” Jewls corrects me impatiently.
“What do we gain from running into him?”
“Hopefully, he’ll remember meeting me. I’ll strike up a conversation and drop Tera’s name in the mix.”
“Where do Shayla and Addie come into this?”
“They’re having drinks with Tera and Kent.”
I’m pretty sure Carson just shocked me stupid. “They are what?!?”
“Tone it down, hyena.”
“Did I hear you correctly?”
“Tera has a tendency to overshare on Instagram. Apparently, tonight is a big date night. Shayla and Addie are conveniently having drinks at the same place. Their job is to feel out the situation.”
“Do you hear yourself? Tera may be suspect and a total bitch, but are we really tracking them?”
“You’re catching on.”
I drop my chin to my chest and blow out a breath. “This is an awful idea.”
“It’s brilliant, and this time we can’t get in any trouble.” Harley smiles proudly.
“Trouble?”
“We have a history of getting busted when exploring leads. Tonight, we have legit reasoning.”
“Oh Jesus, please stop with the lingo.”
“We’re almost there. Let’s cover our knowns, starting with how Tera knows these men were on a special assignment.”
Jewls prattles on nonchalantly while my insides are a ball of jumbled nerves.
How did I get myself into this?
27
FORD
We all crowd in behind Robbie, watching the footage of the team in the warehouse.
“Confirmation,” someone reports. “We have five crates.”
“You know the drill,” Robbie relays. “Dad has point.”
“Who are we crediting?”
Robbie grins slyly. “Let’s give this one to the boys in blue. MNPD Drug Enforcement Task Force could use some love.” He disconnects his headset and calls James. “It’s a go. You work with Metro.”
“Good work, men.” James cuts the call.
Finn slaps Robbie on the shoulder. “Hoorah.”
We all repeat the sentiment as SUVs with lights swarm the area. The police scanner in the corner reports activity as my phone buzzes with a text to Ace, Talon, Major, and me.
Boyd—You rookies missing the action yet?
I shoot back—Get ready for the camera, old man.
A few seconds pass and his reply causes us all to chuckle.
Boyd—You shitheads threw this back to Metro? DUIs and traffic court for a month when your asses are mine.
“Aww, he really loves us,” Talon teases.
“That Boyd?” Finn reads the message over my shoulder. “He’s about to hit national spotlight.”
“He’s not a spotlight type of man. Too much attention means he has to behave.”
“One reason we work on our own.” Finn jerks his chin to Robbie. “We good with ATF?”