Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 57237 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57237 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
“Let’s see some pocket litter,” I requested.
Reese stuck a piece of bacon into his mouth and then dug through his pockets.
River followed suit.
“Where did you get the ball cap?” Danny asked.
Reese smirked wryly. “I saw it hanging off a lawn mower in someone’s yard. That was how Riv got the idea.”
I chuckled. “Just be sure to return it later. And the shirts? Off someone’s clothesline?”
“Yeah, we’ll return those too.” Reese held out the contents of his pockets. “We got cheap reading glasses at the gas station, and—”
“The makeup pen.” I smiled, admittedly impressed. “Tums?” Spot-on.
“I mean…” Reese grinned.
Danny cracked up. “That’s fucking legit. I was popping Imodium like Tic Tacs in Somalia.”
I shook my head in amusement, having been there myself more than once. Tums and Pepto were staples.
All in all, I had to give the boys a solid score. “When we get home, I want you to read a book about the Canadian Caper. Have you heard of the operation?”
“Yes, sir.” River nodded. “The CIA and the Canadian government smuggled American diplomats out of Iran in 1980.”
Exactly. “Good. It’s an excellent example of what you need to learn about clandestine ops. But for now, I want you to get some rest. You’ve definitely earned it.”
“Can we hop in the lake first?” Reese asked.
“Of course.” I nodded toward the beach below. “There’s soap on the rock over there if you didn’t bring your own.”
“I was told the water’s frigid,” Danny supplied. “But you couldn’t tell by looking at Payne.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. Had someone regained his confidence?
Reese found that funny and turned to me. “Is this flirt of yours gonna stick around?”
I smiled faintly. “Aye. He’s my new recruit. You’re gonna learn all about Danny Rose in the months to come.”
“Sounds like a threat to me,” Danny mumbled around a mouthful of food.
A threat, a promise…
CHAPTER 5
After a cold, refreshing swim, the twins headed inside for a much-needed nap, and I brought one of the Adirondack chairs down to the little beach to see if I could catch us some lunch. I’d changed into a pair of shorts and hoped to stay out of any tees and sweaters until the sun dipped low.
“Danny, if you wanna wash up, do it before I throw in the bait.” My trusty old fishing rod had never failed me before, though I suspected that was because I had two creeks running through the lake. The smallmouth bass that passed through only stayed for a hot second if there was food. Otherwise, they were off to warmer waters.
“Okay,” I heard Danny reply.
While I waited, I walked over to the tree line with an empty tin mug and squatted down. Shouldn’t be hard to find bait here. The soil was damp but not wet just a few inches under the top layer.
Fuck, this was the life. I’d needed this mini vacation too. Just the sounds of birds and the calm breeze. Give me music on any other day, but up here, I preferred the silence.
The crunch of dirt and then the pebbles alerted me to Danny’s presence, and I glanced behind me just as he hauled his tee over his head.
I remembered those tattoos. They covered his back and consisted of nothing but pinkish roses and greenery. Some of the flowers were wilted, some in full bloom, a few damaged with torn petals.
“If you hear a scream underwater, it wasn’t me,” he said.
My mouth twitched. I turned back to what I was doing, only to sneak a peek when he walked into the water seconds later.
Fuck, that ass was perfect. Two soft-looking handfuls.
“Jesus Christ, that’s…gah.” He sucked in a sharp breath. “Are you looking, sir?”
I smiled. “Absolutely.”
Fuck this; I could fish later. I brushed dirt off my hands and planted my ass in the chair.
Yup, the day was definitely getting better.
I stretched out my legs comfortably, crossing them at the ankles, and folded a hand behind my head.
Danny dove under with a curse and resurfaced a quick second later. He stood close to where I’d been standing, though the water reached higher around him. Of course he had enough energy to throw me a glare, but that only made me smile wider.
Would it be considered losing the fight if I’d never joined the battle in the first place? I may have told myself to keep my distance, but I couldn’t say I’d actually done that.
“Can you stop messin’ with my head?” he bit out, moving the soap over his body too quickly for my liking. What was the rush? “You’re watching me like you’re interested.”
I hummed. “Not my fault you can’t eavesdrop properly. I never told anyone I wasn’t a Dom.” I tilted my head and scooted lower in my seat. “Can you slow down a bit?”
He did slow down—altogether—though not because I’d asked. He was on edge now. Hesitancy flitted across his features, and he threw a glance at the cabin before he looked back at me. “Is this a joke?”