Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 90685 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90685 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
I like snarky Dylan. “Sorry. Continue. He tried to kill you, and then?”
“And then I realized I didn’t know who I could turn to. If a man I respect so much could do something like this without me having a single clue of what he was capable of … who am I supposed to trust? My teammates? What if they’re involved? It’s too hard to know. So … I need you. To figure it out.”
I go to open my mouth when he puts his hand up to stop me.
“And I know the drill. I’ll owe you a favor because apparently our whole relationship is about owing you.”
“Hey, some men flirt by sending flowers. I send you wanted drug lords. I thought you’d like that better. You never had to pay me back for that. You were just nice enough to.”
“If that was flirting, it’s surprising you ever get laid.”
Yeah, I’m so not getting into my sex life with him.
“I dunno. It worked on you once upon a time, didn’t it?”
“Yeah, I also recall not exchanging any words.”
I wink. “Damn. You found my secret.”
Dylan’s lips purse. “Also, you think all those times I did you a favor was me being nice? I’ve never once been nice to you. I’ve done it reluctantly because I hate having a debt hanging over my head. How am I supposed to say no when you give me something I need and then ask for something in return?”
“Oh. I figured that was how you flirted back. No?” I cock my head.
“You’re exhausting.”
“Maybe, but I’m going to save your life. So there’s that.”
“There is that.”
I stand. “Let’s get started.”
“Where are we going?”
“We’re getting you out of town first.”
“Wait, what?”
“You think your boss is going to let you walk away from this? He knows you and I have a history.”
“Barely. My whole team knows I hate you. This will be the last place they look for me.”
“First, you don’t hate me. And second, this is the most obvious place you’d run to. I have the money and resources to keep you safe, and you wouldn’t be dumb enough to hide at your family’s house.”
Dylan’s face drops. “My family. I can’t drag them into this.”
“You won’t. Think of this as your own version of witness protection. No contact to friends, family, anyone. You need to become a ghost until we nail your boss to the wall.”
“I didn’t sign up for this.”
“Yes, you did. The minute you stepped into my house and asked me for help.”
Dylan stands. “I meant help me take him down. Not to lock me away in some tower while you do all the work.”
“Aww, that’s cute.”
Dylan grits his teeth. “What’s cute?”
“That you think I’m not going to be with you at all times. My guys can do the work. You and I are taking a vacation.”
He shakes his head. “Nope. No. No. I’ll go to Walker and ask him to shoot me point-blank. That has to be better than being confined with you for who knows how long.”
“There you go with that top-notch flirting again. Careful, you might fall in love with me at this rate, and we haven’t even left yet.”
“Yup. Death might be preferable.”
Why is antagonizing Dylan so much fun? I tell myself to be nicer. To actually flirt and show him I’m a decent guy, and yet all my caveman instincts make me the most patronizing asshole ever.
I should probably ask a therapist what that’s all about.
Should but won’t. Because if I have answers as to why I do it, I might need to stop.
“I’m going to get all my available guys on this.” I gesture for Dylan to exit, and then I take him into the war room, where Domino is still briefing the guys on a job.
They all turn to look at us entering the room.
“Change of plans,” I say. “Councilman Rowling will have to wait.”
“No Vegas?” Zeus looks like a kid who was told he can’t have any candy. You know, if candy was alcohol, strippers, and gambling.
“Councilman Rowling?” Dylan asks. “What do you want with him?”
I turn to Dylan. “Why? What do you know about Rowling?” We’ve been hired to tail him because he’s in a suspected drug ring, and our employer wants us to bring him down so he won’t be reelected. So far, all we’ve discovered is he’s having an affair, and that’s not enough to tank a political career in this day and age. But if Dylan knows something …
“Nothing. I just want to know what he did to get on your radar.”
“What does anyone do to get on my radar?”
“I dunno. Breathe in your direction?”
“Mm, something like that.” I face back to my men, Atlas, Zeus, Iris, and Saint. “Here’s the deal. Seems there are some dirty agents—”
“Agent. One agent. That I know of,” Dylan says.