Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 133849 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 669(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133849 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 669(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
He did not need her sarcasm. “Your parents didn’t spank you enough.”
“My parents didn’t spank me at all, and neither did yours. I won’t go into why because we already have to deal with that crap on a daily basis,” she said with a chuckle before she got serious again. “I could use a picture, Josh. I know that feels like you’re betraying her, but it’s common sense to know who’s actually in your bed.”
And she should know. “I’ll do what I can. We’ll be at Subversion this weekend.”
“You didn’t want to take her to The Hideout?” Harlow asked, and he could hear the grin in her tone. “Gabriel will be devastated.”
“No, I like my clubs luxurious.” Gabriel Lodge had teamed up with some of the Taggart kids to form their own club, but he was also doing the whole got-to-make-it-on-my-own thing and refusing to use his hefty trust fund. So The Hideout was…rustic. That was a good word for it. “Also, they’re better behaved at Subversion. I don’t want to have to kill Lucas Taggart because he flirts with my sub, and watching Chloe and Seth is painful at times.”
“I know. I wish they would fuck already,” Harlow admitted. “I’m waiting for the moment when Uncle Julian finds out his daughter is sleeping with Big Tag’s son.”
“Big Tag’s fuck-boy musician son.” Josh chuckled but then remembered he had some problems of his own. “I think my father’s worried about what kind of trouble Nic could be in. I wouldn’t put it past him to call your dads for help. I know I said not to involve them…”
“But if I let them know I’m looking into it, they’ll trust me,” she concluded. “I’ve got my own spies. I’ll check it out. If I think I need to intervene, I will, but Josh, you have to know what I find will come out eventually. I can hold my dads off for a couple of days, but if Uncle Jack asks them for information, they’ll give it to him.”
Sometimes it was hard having the Godfather of Ranchers and Doms as a dad. “I only need a week or two.”
He would find a way to get her to open up to him. He and Grim would wrap her in love and affection and as many orgasms as her gorgeous body could handle this weekend. They would prove how devoted they were to her, and she would open up to them. She’d already started. When she was sleepy or satisfied, sometimes she said things he knew she wouldn’t when she was focused.
“I can give you a week or two if your dad hasn’t talked to mine. If he has, well, I’ll give you a heads-up before the shit hits the fan. Which is why you should send me a picture,” she replied. “Do you think it’s smart to invest this much time with a woman your father is suspicious of? I’m going to take it this is all coming from Jack and Sam thinks she’s lovely.”
Pops was an optimist. Always. Which was probably why his dad was such a careful man. He had to take care of both of his subs. His loves. He might not love Grim in the same way his father loved his pops, but Grim was one of his soul mates. They didn’t have to get physical to be necessary to each other. He had to protect Nicole and Grim, and that meant he needed information. “Yeah, that’s pretty much how the conversation went, though it’s not like Dad doesn’t like Nic. He’s afraid she’s in trouble, and he doesn’t want to get blindsided. I’ll get you what you need.”
His dad was right. They had to know the truth so they could face it.
“I’ll drive down to Austin on Saturday. I’d like to meet her and see if I can make any observations,” Harlow explained. “Until then, get me that picture and watch your back. Talk to you soon.”
She hung up and Josh sighed, his mind working on the problem.
Chapter Twelve
Nicole looked at the big man sitting on the couch in front of her and couldn’t help but stare. And hope she wasn’t drooling. He was a delicious-looking man. If one went for glorious Vikings in their prime. Which she didn’t.
“Do you have any questions, Nicole?” Case Taggart looked perfectly comfortable in the luxurious room that served as Club Subversion’s conference room.
“She usually talks more than this,” Grim said with a frown. “I guess she’s distracted.”
Oh, that sounded like a warning.
“You know if she doesn’t want to talk, ball gags can be fun.” Josh frowned her way, too.
Definitely a warning. So they knew she was staring at the pretty man. She couldn’t help it. She wasn’t truly attracted to Case Taggart, but he was like a painting by a master. She couldn’t help but stare at it.