Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
“For future reference, they’re a dead giveaway. But now, tell us why the fuck you’re sitting in Darla Strauss’s parking garage.”
“Major knows?” My brain finally wakes up, retaining what he said.
“He found out when she waltzed her ass into the station to visit her client who lawyered up.”
“Oh boy.”
“You could say that. He’s pissed as fuck. Ace got him out, but not before Darla explained in her own way why she was there and that she’s relocated to Nashville.”
“Oh boy,” I repeat.
“It wasn’t pretty. But you don’t seem fazed by this information. Spill,” Ford demands in a way that leaves no room for more stalling.
“I was curious about her.”
“That’s understandable, even expected. But how’d you know where she lives and that she’d be out?”
“We didn’t know she’d be out, we just came to see what kind of car she drove and run her plate.”
“Run her plate?” Talon’s eyebrows shoot up. “How’d you even know that was her unit?”
Harley and I exchange a look, and Ford blows out a deep, frustrated breath. “Fuck, we have a set of amateur detectives. Why didn’t you talk to Major?”
“I needed to see for myself if she was here before I mentioned it to him.”
“That’s sweet, babe, but prepare. He’ll fucking blow when he finds out you left in the dead of night, coming to downtown Nashville to investigate his ex.”
“Let’s not tell him,” I suggest hopefully.
“That won’t work.”
“Okay, then maybe you can let me tell him. After he’s calmed down?”
“Too late. We aren’t the only ones who were alerted when you left the house.”
“Eeep!” Harley squeaks and drops her head in her hands. “Oh God, I forgot to turn off location share on my phone.”
I take a deep breath to calm the pounding in my ears. “You know what, guys? I’m a grown woman who can take care of herself. Harley’s situation is different because she’s wearing a ring and about to marry the overprotective brute. But I’m not.”
“Major finds out you think that way, you’ll be wearing a ring tomorrow,” Talon mutters, making my stomach plummet.
“I am not putting up with that caveman shit!”
“Jewls, he despises her. She played games, trying to tie him down with a baby he didn’t expect and a marriage he didn’t want. Then his best friend dies in a drive-by shooting. Major lives with the guilt that he and Koby should have been enlisted. He finally finds a woman he loves and this bitch returns. He doesn’t want her around, but definitely doesn’t want you on her radar.”
Even knowing all this information, hearing it out of his best friend’s mouth brings it into a new light.
“It’s dawning on you. Another tip, be prepared to explain sneaking around in the dead of night when he left you safe in the house.”
This is not good. New plan. Harley will drop me off at home. I’ll pack a bag and check into a hotel for a few days until things can simmer down.
“Whatever you’re thinking about doing won’t work. You hide, Major will find you.”
“Get out of my mind!” I whisper-hiss at Talon. “And stop smirking. This isn’t funny.”
“It is to me because you ladies make life entertaining.”
His phone rings and his smirk turns into a full-blown smile. “Hey, man. Yeah, we have them. Heading home now.” He pauses and his eyes light up right before he winks at me. “Let’s put it this way, the sprockets came out of retirement.”
Harley’s giggle and Ford’s snicker fill the air.
“Smug ass,” I mutter, knowing I’d better find a way to spin this to Major.
19
Major
“What are you doing up?”
“Waiting for you.” Talon holds up a coffee mug, and I shake my head.
Caffeine is the last thing I need.
Ford slides a bottle of water my way and settles onto a barstool, eyeing me with caution. “How are you?”
“Fine.”
“He’s lying.” Ace comes from his room, already changed into his running gear.
“Why aren’t you in bed with Harley?”
“She’s sleeping, and this is important.”
“There’s nothing to talk about.”
“Don’t bullshit us man,” Talon counters.
“I can see you’re all revved up to get in my head, but leave it alone.”
Ace shrugs indifferently. “Fine with me.”
“Me too,” Talon agrees.
Ford looks as if he wants to press the issue, but resigns by changing directions. “Since that’s over with, let’s discuss Jewls.”
“What about her?”
“You may not want to talk to us, but that woman is itching to get at you. We got here and her nervous energy was wired. Jay finally talked her into bed around three.”
“I’ll handle it.”
“Fair warning, brother, you shut her down like you did us, it’ll crush her.”
“Fuck!” The fury from last night’s revelation reemerges, and I slam my fist on the counter. “One fucking month. One fucking month I’ve had a taste of life with a woman so goddamned amazing, it makes me wonder if I can have it all. Then that fucking cunt rears her head talking her bullshit.