Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 111416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 557(@200wpm)___ 446(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 557(@200wpm)___ 446(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
“I should’ve said no,” she whispered, facing the closed door. “I’m going to regret this, I just know it.”
With a sigh, she turned the knob and found the door locked. Jesus. She glanced at her Apple watch. Yes, she was a little over twenty minutes late, but they couldn’t have finished the initial meeting already that involved team introductions and going over the basic details of the investigation.
She was acquainted somewhat with Crew. She’d heard about his reputation from others who’d worked with the DEA agent before. She’d also seen him from a distance at a grand jury proceeding a couple of years ago.
His silver fox good looks had caught her eye. At least until she found out he was married with two kids.
Rumor had it, based on the other women she worked with, that was no longer the case. Like was typical in law enforcement, and it didn’t matter at what level, the divorce rate was high.
Every wedding she’d gone to since the beginning of her career, she’d sit in the seats, watch the ceremony and make bets with herself on how long the marriage would last. She also wondered how much money they wasted on a large, fancy wedding.
One piece of advice she’d give to anyone who’d listen and was searching for their forever person… Prenups and elopement. Or go to city hall. Don’t waste the amount of money that could be used for a down payment on a house for one single damn day of celebration.
For what?
What was left in the end? A wedding album full of pictures with someone’s face scratched out, a shaky video of drunk guests doing the chicken dance, two confused kids and crippling alimony payments?
Dogs. That was the answer. Adopting a dog was a much safer bet and cheaper than getting a spouse. Even better, they loved unconditionally. Unlike humans.
Not that Nova herself had a dog.
Maybe she’d get herself a companion once she retired, bought a converted camper van and traveled the country, no longer giving a shit about organized crime or mountains of red tape and paperwork.
She pulled in another breath, lifted her fist and used the side of her hand to beat on the door. She took a step back so whoever peered through the peephole would see both her and the badge she pulled from her pocket and held up to identify herself.
She had no idea if Crew knew what she looked like. If he was a good team leader, he most likely pulled up her photo as well as everyone else’s he didn’t know personally before letting them into…
The Plant.
Her new home away from home for a while. Unfortunately, so far it looked like a dump.
She dropped her hand and slid her badge back into her wind jacket pocket as soon as she heard the deadbolt click and door knob turn…
When the door swung open, she expected to see Crew. Instead, deep brown eyes surrounded with thick black eyelashes locked with hers. “You’re late.”
No shit, Sherlock. “I’m aware of the time.” She lifted her wrist with her watch. “I notified Crew. Maybe he didn’t get the message.”
“Since I’m not Crew, I wouldn’t know,” came the deep rumble that vibrated through her all the way to her toes.
She blinked, tipped her head to the side and stared at him. She reluctantly allowed herself a few seconds to check him out by rolling her gaze from the top of his short dark blond hair, along his clean-shaven face, over his broad shoulders, down his trim torso and his belted waist to his long denim-encased legs. He wore heavy boots that reminded her of what bikers wore.
That would make sense since she’d been told the first floor of this very building was the official clubhouse for the Blue Avengers MC, a motorcycle club made up strictly of law enforcement. She had to assume he rode with them.
When she finally lifted her gaze, she noticed he’d been doing the same thing.
Touché.
She raised one eyebrow when his eyes finally rose enough to meet hers.
“Were you late because you had to do your makeup and hair?”
Damn.
Unless she was undercover, she usually pulled her hair up into a very neat and tight bun while she worked. Since she wasn’t sure what this assignment would entail yet, she decided to leave it down and simply finger-comb it.
And yes, she had put on some makeup but that wasn’t why she was late.
Typical misogynistic asshole. Unfortunately, that wasn’t anything new in her line of work.
“Well, of course. Plus, I had to fix the chip in my nail polish and pick out the right shoes so they wouldn’t clash with my purse. Oh, and make sure my panties and bra matched.” She slapped a hand to her chest and bugged out her eyes. “Getting ready for the day as a woman is exhausting.”