Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 78732 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78732 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
"We're not talking about me either," I mutter and turn my attention back to the carton of eggs.
"How hard would it have been to tell her that you just want to make sure she's fed? Or that you like feeding her? Hell, you could've said something about wanting to watch her stick things in her mouth."
"Watch it," I growl as I spin back around to face him, seconds away from knocking his head off.
"That," he says, pointing to me as if I just proved his point. "You care for her."
"She's my wife," I say through clenched teeth.
"You married her to save her from trouble," he reminds. "At least that's what your story is."
"That's what happened."
"Yet," he says, pointing back to the now empty stool. "You walked in here and claimed that woman like a caveman. I had to clear my throat because you were getting dangerously close to pulling her fucking clothes off."
"I wouldn't do that," I argue.
"Not knowing how close you were proves my point. You're insane about that woman, and anyone within a mile of you two knows it. Why act like a dick five seconds after kissing her silly?"
I grind my teeth together, hating to be so transparent to anyone when I'm supposed to be keeping my cool with this entire situation.
"She's not up for discussion," I mutter, once again turning back to the carton of eggs I no longer feel like cooking. "The sooner we can take down Dima and his crew of merry criminals, the sooner I can get back to my life."
It feels wrong to say the words, but I know they have to be said. A couple of erotic interactions and a long conversation don't create a situation where we make plans to spend the rest of our lives together. The sooner I realize that the better it will be for all of us.
"We should just go to the warehouse and shut them down," I say as I place the eggs back into the fridge, my stomach now in knots so tight I'd never be able to eat.
"You know we can't do that," he says, as if he's always been the voice of reason. "The fact that he's helping women find love is a gray area. Without proof that they're being coerced or threatened to be there, it's not a case that will hold up in court."
"Kaylee is proof that they're being threatened," I argue.
Rooster holds up both of his hands, making me realize that what he's going to say next will do nothing but piss me off.
"You're a reasonable man," he begins. "So don't take this the wrong way."
"There isn't a single conversation in the world that begins like that which doesn't anger someone," I say, warning in my tone.
"Yet, some things have to be said. So just listen." His throat works on a swallow before he trudges forward. "Kaylee Rhodes seems like—"
"Burke," I growl. "Her last name is Burke."
"Kaylee Burke," he says after a long exhale. "She seems like a really nice person, but you have to consider how she appears on paper because that's what the jury is going to see when Dima's attorneys get a hold of her. The organization is set up as a sort of dating service which isn't illegal in Nevada. They don't even have to register as a brothel because we have no proof they're selling sex, which, even if they were, they'd probably meet all the requirements."
"Except for the fact the women have to be working there free of coercion," I argue. "They threatened Kaylee's friend if she didn't comply."
"According to a woman who is always late on her rent, doesn't have any money in savings, and went there and signed the paperwork of her own free will."
"That's not—"
"That's what the jury will see," he argues.
My jaw aches from how hard I'm clenching the muscles there. He has a point.
"So we can't just go in and shut them down with her as the only witness," he says as his phone chimes in his pocket.
"We have to find more evidence," I say, knowing he's right.
He shakes his head, turning his phone around to me so I can read the screen.
Kincaid: Get with Casper in Tennessee. He found the loophole we needed to raid the Vegas warehouse.
"Seems our wait is over," Rooster says as he walks out of the room.
Unease begins to settle inside of me. Only minutes ago, I was arguing that this is exactly what needed to happen. I needed this so I could put distance between Kaylee and myself.
Now that we have the all-clear to take those pieces of shit down, I'm left wishing I had more time to get to know her better before she's safe enough to return to her normal life, one that doesn't include me.
My reluctance won't stop this from happening, so I rush up the stairs and grab the gear I'll need from my bedroom closet.