Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27242 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 136(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27242 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 136(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
“I don’t think so.” She kicks off her shoes and pulls her knees up to her chest. The sight of her hugging herself on my bed breaks something in me. Luna joins her, sitting next to her. She puts her head on her shoulder, giving my girl comfort. The comfort I don’t know how to give.
Then it clicks. There’s a favor I could call in. “I know someone. He could help you.”
“My dad owns the FBI and CIA.” She doesn’t even look up.
“FBI. Agent Swanson. He’s the cleanest motherfucker I’ve ever met.” While there’s plenty of corruption in every government organization, John Swanson is different. I’ve never met someone as dedicated to his moral compass as that man. When Colt, Brody, and I found a human trafficking ring, we called him in. He was one of the people instrumental in freeing dozens of victims.
“Not for long. They’ll go after his wife and kids in the next twenty-four hours.” She licks her pouty lips. “He’ll be the first casualty.”
Horror grips me. I’m not surprised she knows this. It’s her business to know all of it. She’s seen so much evil because of her shitbag father. “I have to make a call.”
“I thought you might.” She cuddles up with Luna, slinging an arm around the big dog’s hulking frame.
Despite the storm raging around me, I move to the front porch. There are things I don’t want her overhearing.
Brody answers on the third ring, and he sounds mildly annoyed that I reached out. He used to never mind my calls, but things are different now that he’s with Charlie.
She’s his best friend’s little sister, and the woman he’s in love with. She came to him not long ago when she was running from a stalker. We helped her resolve the situation and now she’s happily living with him on the ranch as his wife.
Brody is one of the best guys I know, and I’m glad that he’s found someone to love. Hell, even Colt found himself a woman recently. It’s good that my friends aren’t alone anymore. But now that Brooke is here, I’m envious. I want what they have, and I want it with the beautiful curvy woman who’s currently in my bedroom.
“What do you want?” Brody grunts.
I swear I hear Charlie in the background tell him to be nice. I was the one with her in the hospital when we didn’t know what had happened to Brody or if he was even still alive. That time together allowed us to grow closer, and now I think of her as a little sister I get to dote on. Even better, it annoys Brody to see how close we are. “Tell Charlie I said hi.”
He grunts again and mutters a curse under his breath.
“Listen, I’m calling about Swanson.” I quickly explain the situation to Brody who punctuates most of my statements with swears of his own.
“How do you know this?” He finally asks as the thunder cracks above my head. I ignore the driving rain that’s sending water into my face.
“Insider tip. Make sure you keep this confidential,” I warn before telling him about Brooke and how I know her.
“Alright, I’ll warn Swanson, but Ryke, are you sure she’s trustworthy?” His tone is filled with doubt that makes my fingers clench into a fist. He doesn’t know her like I do. He hasn’t seen her curled up on my bed, looking small and vulnerable.
“I’d bet my life on it.” All of the evidence says to watch my back. She’s got serious criminal connections, but she’s not one of them. I knew that the first time I spotted her three years ago. She doesn’t fit in this world, yet she’s managed to survive it. My little tigress is a fighter.
“You’re betting all of our lives on it,” he warns me. I know he’s right. If I get into a tight spot, Brody and Colt will come after me. They spent every spare moment they had while I was imprisoned searching for me. They made countless inquiries, official and unofficial. They called in every favor they had on the books. They never stopped searching.
“I’m right about her.” I end the call without another word so he can get in contact with his people.
When I come back into the house, Brooke is still in my bedroom. But she’s staring out the glass windows. Her expression is reflected back, and she looks so forlorn that I want to go to her. I want to wrap my arms around her. But would she welcome my touch? Would she want her ex-boyfriend’s dad putting his hands on her, all over her? Bringing her endless hours of pleasure?
“The streets will run red tonight,” she says softly. “My dad said it the night my mom was killed by his rival. I didn’t understand what he meant. Now, I do.”