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)
“This is a surprise.”
“Wanted to talk to you.”
“You lose my number?”
She rolls her eyes dramatically. “No, dufus, but this is a conversation we need to have in person.”
Dufus? God, she’s a geek.
A gorgeous geek, but still a geek.
“We see each other often. As a matter of fact, I’ll be at Tom’s tonight.”
“Yeah, so will Ace, and this is a conversation to be had without the archaic Neanderthal. I needed you alone.”
My gaze darts around the room. Jealousy stirs low in my gut, seeing most eyes zoomed in on her. “If you needed privacy, you picked the wrong location. These idiots are salivating.”
She waves her hand flippantly. “That’s ridiculous. Most of them know me from the bar, pouring drinks and slinging sass. They’ve never seen me in my work clothes.”
There’s a bit of truth to this. Jewls and Harley work a few nights a week at a local bar named Tom’s. It’s a popular precinct hangout since a retired cop owns it. But the interest in her isn’t because of her professional attire.
It’s because she’s a knockout.
“Anyway, back to the point. We have a problem.”
My backbone straightens at the statement. “What kind of problem? You okay?”
“Yes, but I’m not happy. Ace has axed every one of my bachelorette ideas.”
“You waltzed your ass in here to discuss Harley’s bachelorette party with me?”
“Well, yeah. As maid of honor and best man, we have an obligation to the bride and groom to give them memories for a lifetime. His overbearing and unreasonable ass is ruining my job.”
“Babe, I’m not exactly the best man.”
“You’re one of them. Plus, I figure since you and Ace were shot together, there’s some kind of special bond. You can help loosen him up.”
“You think us getting shot by enemy fire gives us a bond?”
She nods.
I drop my chin to my chest and stare at the edge of my desk for a full ten seconds to keep from laughing in her face.
A few months ago, Ace and I were both injured in a hostage rescue mission in South America. A bullet pierced my chest, another pierced his artery. After a week in a Costa Rican hospital, we came home.
It’s the reason we’re both on desk duty for now.
“I’ll play along because you look good perched on my desk. What exactly do you think I can do?”
Heat creeps up her cheeks, and she nibbles on her bottom lip.
Fuck, my cock stirs at the sight.
“I need you to keep Achilles busy long enough for me to discreetly steal Harley away.”
“Steal? Are you kidnapping her?”
“No! Well, maybe a little.”
“You want me to keep Ace busy while you kidnap his fiancée? Do you know the hell that will rain down?”
“It’s not kidnapping; it’s getting her out of town without his knowledge.”
“You realize you won’t cross county lines before he has the entire force looking for you.”
“That’s where you come in! Keep him busy for a few hours.”
I pretend to consider her proposition and then shake my head. “Not happening.”
She blows out a frustrated breath.
I cover her knee with my hand and squeeze. “It’s cool you want to do something special for Jay. But he’ll rip your head off when he finds you. I have a problem with that.”
The blush returns, and she drops her eyes to my hand. “I can handle him.”
“You want to start a war before his wedding?”
“Ugh! No. If you won’t cover for me, I’ll come up with something different.”
Movement across the room catches my attention, and Ace walks in with Hal, one of the field trainers.
“Head’s up,” I try to warn her, but she’s already on her feet, reaching for her purse.
My hand skims down her leg, and I immediately wish her ass was back on my desk.
“Hi, Ace.” She’s back to her chipper self.
“Jewls, everything okay?” He looks between us.
“It’s great. I stopped in to chat with Major about the wedding. I was in the area.”
She delivers the news so smoothly, I wonder if she’s trying to fool him—or if it’s the truth.
“You were in the area?” He raises an eyebrow.
“Yep, I had a case that needed my attention downstairs.”
My instincts go on alert, and I stand. Her small frame is trapped between the desk and me. “What kind of case would bring you to the police station?”
“I’m not at liberty to discuss.”
“Julianna,” my patience wears thin, “what kind of case?”
She raises her face to mine, her eyes darken with irritation, and she presses on my chest. “Domestic call. Child services were called for two minors after they suspected the dad beating his wife.”
“Where’s the wife?”
“In the hospital. I came in to speak to him and note the file before he’s moved to processing.”
My vision blurs, and I can’t stop what comes out next. “You came to visit a scumbag in lock-up wearing this?”
“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”
“It’s inappropriate. Men like him are dangerous predators. He beat his wife. You might as well be walking the strip looking like a fucking—”