Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107557 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107557 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“Is Wilder still working at the pawn shop?” Decker asked.
“Yeah. Like me, she’s not getting paid, either.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Finn grumbled, sitting up. “I’m sure she’d rather keep getting her FBI salary than damn minimum wage from working at Shadow Valley Pawn. She’s probably the highest paid employee they have.”
Fletch’s deep chuckle came through the phone. “True. And her commute is short.”
“Did you forget you two also get a free gym membership, as well as twenty-four/seven access to their gun range?” Finn asked the BAMC vice president.
“And all the ammo we need to practice,” Fletch added.
“So, stop bitching,” Rez said. “The only suffering you’re doing while undercover is not being able to hang out with all of us. We know that’s a huge loss and you miss us.” He puckered up and made kissing sounds.
“Uh huh. You forget that we have to deal with both the Angels and the Demons constantly being dicks to us.” Fletch added, “Even if it is for two different reasons.”
“Angels hate you because you two have badges, the Demons because… you’re you?” Rez quipped.
“Anyway,” Decker shouted to get them back on track, “between Fletch dropping hints to Wolf and Sapphire doing the same to Saint, I doubt they’ll just take his cut from him, pat him on the back and tell him to have a nice life.”
“Fuck no, they won’t,” Fletch huffed.
“Let’s hope they fall for the bait,” Decker continued. “I’d rather avoid making a mess with the Russos, if possible.”
“If Crew found out we were considering dropping a dime on T-Bone with the Russos,” Finn whistled softly, “he’d have a coronary.”
“All right, I have to go—”
“Give Wilder the business,” Rez finished for Fletch.
“Hey, before I go…” Fletch called out, ignoring Rez. “All Hands on Deck, when’s the funeral for Sloane’s sister?”
“We’re still making arrangements. Her parents aren’t being cooperative. They don’t want to help pay for it but they sure want a fucking say on how it’s done and when.”
“You and Sloane are footing the bill?”
“Yeah.”
“Damn,” Fletch murmured. “That sucks for her. And you. Sorry, brother, you know Nova and I would be there for you two if we could. But we’re so fucking close to getting patched over into the Demons. I’ve been working way too hard to fuck that up now.”
“Understood.”
“Dude, I never thought I’d say this, but… we miss you,” Finn called out.
“Speak for yourself,” Rez said.
Finn laughed. “Oh, c’mon, you don’t miss Fletch? He gives good hugs.”
“When the fuck did I ever hug you?” Fletch shouted.
“We’re in a safe place here, you don’t have to hide it,” Finn said.
“Sorry, Prince Harry, I’m not into redheads.”
“Nah, you’re into badass FBI agents. Her kicking your ass is foreplay.”
“Don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it,” Fletch said, then went on to say, “In one way I’m glad it’s winter because if we’re still at this shit come spring and ol’ Finny boy starts scheduling club runs, I’m going to be upset if I’m missing out. I missed enough last season because of this assignment.”
“At least you’re riding with the Dirty Angels,” Finn reminded him.
“Too cold for club runs for them, too. But when we were, it wasn’t the same. We’re tolerated—barely—but not welcomed. So, not the same. You all are my brothers, not them.”
“Last time I saw you, you sure as fuck looked like one of them,” Decker said. “I almost didn’t recognize you.”
“Yeah, well, luckily with using their club-owned gym, we at least get to stay in shape without it looking suspicious. But this shaggy hair and shit on my face… Can’t wait to get rid of it. And nothing like paying a mortgage on a house that sits empty.”
“We have all been taking turns to go over and check on it,” Decker said.
“Appreciate that.”
Man, that gave Rez an idea. “Hey, Ghost, you want to rent it out while it’s empty?”
“To who? Not Nox. It’s best he stay upstairs in that apartment so someone’s always around.”
“No, not Hard Nox,” Rez answered. Should he even go there? Fuck it. “Not liking where Sapphire’s living. Her complex isn’t safe.”
“Where’s it at?” Fletch asked.
“In Rockvale here, believe it or not.”
Finn snorted. “Why are you acting like Rockvale is some dangerous town?”
“It isn’t the safest in the area.”
“It’s also not the worst,” Finn countered. “Rez-avoir Dog’s acting like Rockvale’s Detroit or something. So… what… you want to keep your girl safe but avoid her moving in with you? You want to keep her close but not that close?”
“We’re not even at the point of living together. We’re not even serious. It’s just a thing.” Though, he sure as fuck loved her staying over every night. He slept better with her by his side.
For her safety.
Of course.
Decker and Finn both released a snort-laugh.
“Did you say fling, Rez Dispenser?” Fletch asked.
“No. Thing.”
“The man thinks he’s going to escape unscathed,” Finn hooted, swiping his beer bottle from the center table and tipping it to his lips. “Take it from us… Just go ahead and admit defeat. Just roll over, put your paws up in the air and beg her to scratch your belly. Once you’re done doing a little submissive peeing and leg twitching, you’ll be fine.”