Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 70162 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70162 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
When I opened my phone, I saw numerous missed calls and texts, all from the senior special agent who was running the operation I’d been assigned to. Shit. I hadn’t even looked at my phone after I’d gotten Rogue to the cabin. I smiled as I thought about how good the night had been. Whatever hell I’d catch was totally worth it. I pulled up my contacts list and called X.
“This better be good.” X’s voice was gravelly like he hadn’t used it much.
That was when I realized it was way too early to be calling anyone. “Shit, I didn’t realize what time it was.”
“So you’re telling me this isn’t an emergency?”
I braced myself as I said, “No.”
He blew out a loud breath.
The last thing I needed was to have X angry with me. He was one of a very small number of people I trusted.
“What the hell has you so rattled you’re calling people before dawn?”
“I need to know more about Grant’s brother Rogue.”
He huffed. “I bet you do.”
“What does that mean?”
“He’s an intriguing young man.”
“Cut the bullshit.”
“That’s strong language for a man who just woke me up to find out more about a hot guy.”
“Like I said, I need to know Rogue’s story. Don’t you think I should know more about all the players involved in this shit I’m investigating.”
“Rogue is no longer associated with the Carlottis, and if you want to know more about him, you could have asked Grant.”
“He wants to say as little to me as he can.”
“Or Rogue himself.”
I ran a hand through my hair as I paced the cabin. “You think he’d be honest?”
“He hates those men as much as the others.”
“See? That’s the kind of information I need to know.”
“Now tell me why the information was so urgent.”
“I didn’t realize how early it was.” As soon as I said that, I knew it was the wrong tactic.
“What were you doing awake and distracted?”
“I couldn’t sleep.”
“Uh-huh.”
Why did I have the feeling he knew? “Either go back to sleep or tell me more about Rogue.”
“The first thing you need to know is that Grant will protect that boy as fiercely as he ever protected anyone in the marines.”
“I’m not planning on harming Rogue.”
X snorted. “That’s not how Grant is going to see it.”
I wasn’t going to take the bait. “Why did Rogue keep working for the Carlottis after his brothers left?”
X sighed, which told me it was a long, complicated story. “Rogue is an idiot.”
Anger flashed through me, hot and vicious.
“No, he’s not.”
X laughed, the bastard. “Apparently, Grant isn’t the only one willing to defend him.”
I’d played my hand, so there was no point in backing down. “Rogue is smarter than most people know.”
“I thought you didn’t know much about him.”
Shit. No wonder he was a topnotch interrogator. “I… did the usual research.”
“I think you did more than that.”
“Are you the morality police now?”
“No, I’m your boss, and you have a job to do.”
“One I could do better if I understood the connection between Rogue and the Carlottis.”
“You’re not thinking of using him in your operation?”
X was using his most intimidating tone, but I wasn’t going to let him think he could scare me. “What if I was?”
“Don’t.”
How far could I push? “He’s the perfect connection.”
“No.”
“Then tell me why.” I already knew why—at least from my perspective. Rogue was far too special to risk like that. Before I’d met him, I’d thought of using him that way, but now, no way in hell was I going to put him in danger. I would do anything to protect him.
“The agreement that got him out is tenuous. If he involves himself again, they won’t let him go.”
“They won’t be able to fuck with him when they’re dead.
“You can’t guarantee his safety.”
I could, but doing so could jeopardize the rest of the mission. “If he can ride a bull, he can probably defend himself.”
“You know what his dad’s role with the Carlottis was?”
“Yes. He did whatever shit jobs didn’t need the expertise of Carlottis better men.”
“I don’t think the Carlottis killed him. I think Rogue did.”
“You think?”
“I haven’t confirmed it.”
I considered this. If his father hurt him and his brothers—and I was damn sure he had—I could imagine Rogue killing him. He had plenty of fight in him, and he’d sure as hell had to learn how to get back up after being knocked down.
“Have you asked him?”
“No, and I’m not going to, but I am going to keep him away from the Carlottis and make sure the last of them are eliminated.”
“What else do I need to know?”
“About Rogue?”
“About any of it.”
X huffed. “Nothing that can’t wait until a decent hour.”
“Fine. I’ll call you later.”
“Let me call you this time, and wherever you are, make sure you get your ass back to the hotel.”
I glanced around the cabin. “I’m at the hotel.”