Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 99040 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99040 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
She wasn’t under any illusion they were law-abiding citizens, but there were degrees of crime, and she wasn’t naïve enough to see the world in black and white. Shades of gray existed everywhere. As a cop, learning to navigate those hues made more sense than trying to sort people into two hardline categories—criminal and innocent.
“Well, thank you, gentlemen. You’ve made our job easy.” She grinned at the surprise on the big guy’s face. “You have yourselves a good night.”
Andrew gaped at her as though she’d sprouted another head. “Hold on a minute,” he said.
The enforcer narrowed his eyes as he walked toward her. “Don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure of an introduction, ma’am. I’m Spec.”
If the army tattoo hadn’t clued her into his former military status, the ma’am would have done it. She held out her hand, but it was shoved down by Andrew before she had a chance to shake with Spec.
“That’s close enough,” Andrew said.
Jo rolled her eyes and sidestepped her partner’s outstretched arm. “I’m Officer Jolene Baker, the newest member of the force. Nice to meet you, Spec.”
His eyes widened in recognition for a fraction of a second before his lips curled in a knowing grin. Apparently, he’d heard of her.
“Oh, you’re the rookie cop.” He chuckled. “It makes so much more sense now.”
She frowned. “Excuse me?” What made sense?
“Never mind him,” the big guy said, stepping forward. “I’m Jinx. And that’s our prez, Curly.”
She shook Jinx’s hand and nodded at Curly, who hovered a few feet behind his men with a scowl. “Good to meet you all.” She nodded toward their cases of beer. “We’ll let you get on with your night. Looks like you’re in for more fun than we are.”
“For crying out loud,” Andrew muttered.
Spec tilted his head. “Why aren’t you an asshole?” He pointed to Andrew. “Your partner hates us. Your whole department hates us. You must have heard all sorts of shit by now. This some kinda trick?”
“No, sir, it’s not.”
Andrew snorted at her use of the word sir, but she’d been raised in a strict southern house. She was still a cop, and Spec was part of the community she served. Until he proved otherwise, he’d get her basic respect and politeness.
“I believe in forming my own opinions about people, no matter what I hear.”
“Hmm,” he said, folding his arms across his impressive chest. His gaze moved to Andrew. “Maybe there’s some hope for your department yet, Simpson.” He tipped an imaginary hat at Jo. “Have a good night, ma’am. Simpson, eat a dick.”
Jo barely managed to suppress her snort. Andrew grabbed her arm and tugged her toward the exit as the bikers went to the counter to pay for their beer.
“What the hell, Jo?” Andrew whisper-yelled as they got outside. “You making friends with criminals now?” He rounded the vehicle to the driver’s side and glared at her over the roof.
With a roll of her eyes, Jo yanked the door open. “Chill, Andrew,” she said as she dropped her ass into the seat. “I’m not making friends with anyone, but there’s no point in being confrontational the first time I meet them. Didn’t your mom ever tell you that you catch more flies with honey?”
He scoffed as he started the engine. “Sure, but you might wanna know a little more about Spec before you ask him out.”
Dramatic, much? “I’d never date one of them, Andrew.” Or anyone right now. “I just don’t think we need to make them our enemy.”
“They made themselves the enemy. Trust me. About two months ago, Spec was arrested for beating the shit out of a guy named Dante. He’s a cousin of Officer Hildebrandt. He ended up hospitalized for a week.”
Well, that did sound bad, but in her experience, someone didn’t get their ass beat for absolutely no reason. She’d bet cold hard cash this Dante character deserved whatever Spec gave him. “What happened to Spec?”
“His girlfriend showed up at the station raising holy hell about how Spec saved her from being assaulted by Dante. Between her and their fancy lawyer, he was released the same night.”
Sounded logical to her. “Did he?”
Scowling, he backed out of the parking spot. “Did he what?”
“Did Spec save her from being assaulted?”
Andrew kept his eyes on the road. “Yeah, I guess. Dante had her trapped against a building with his hands under her shirt. Allegedly.”
Her jaw dropped. “Well, then it sounds to me like Spec gave him what he deserved. Gotta say, you haven’t convinced me he’s a bad man at all.”
He gawked at her as though she’d just admitted to running through the streets naked. “Jo! You can’t go around beating men until they need the ICU. No matter what.”
“So you come across your girlfriend scared, screaming, and about to be raped by a man, and you’d what? ‘Oh, excuse me, sir, would you mind backing off my woman? Thanks so much.’ I don’t think so. You’d go all psycho on his ass.”