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)
Even Brook and Olivia joined them. Jo liked that. Sure, there were probably plenty of times they kicked the women out to discuss private business, but they seemed to be as vital a part of the group as the men.
Maybe more as their presence softened the men.
A little bit.
Tracker gave her hand a gentle squeeze, drawing her attention. He didn’t speak but tilted his head as though to ask, “You good?”
Her chest warmed. He’d checked in with her before answering his president. It let the entire club know he cared about her. She swallowed as a lump formed in her throat. This was her mess, not his. He didn’t deserve to have to explain her problems to the club. On top of that, she had a feeling the best way to earn respect and maybe even a degree of approval from his club would be to speak for herself.
She cleared her throat. “I’ve got this.”
His eyebrows winged in surprise. But then he winked and grinned. “Of course you do.”
She faced the ominous group, willing herself not to get emotional over one little wink and a few words. After a throat clear to give herself an extra second, she said, “Tracker asked you all here so you can brainstorm a problem as a club.”
“A problem involving the cops?” Jinx said cops as though spitting the offensive word out of his mouth. “More specifically, you.”
“Jinx…” Tracker started.
She squeezed his hand.
“Yes,” she said, meeting his gaze. She refused to cower under his obvious hatred. Respect would be hard-earned with this group but keeping her head high would be step one. “I presented the information Spec and Tracker uncovered about Dante and Lobo without implicating the club in any way to my lieutenant yesterday. He refused to hear it. I have a meeting with my partner and my lieutenant at noon today. The LT is supposed to hand over a signed warrant for Lock’s arrest.”
“The fuck?” Jinx hopped up, a thunderous scowl on his face.
“Bullshit!” Spec shouted. Only Olivia perched on his lap had kept him in his seat.
“Not happening.” Ty shook his head.
The grumbling continued as each man talked over the other and expressed their displeasure until Curly let out a window-shattering whistle.
“Holy crap, hon,” Brooke said with a wince. “I sleep with you. Doesn’t that earn me a heads-up or something?”
That drew a chuckle out of all but Lock. Well, and Jinx, who still looked murderous.
Brooke gave her a reassuring smile.
Jo lifted her hands in surrender. “I’m here because I agree with you. It’s bullshit. I don’t want to arrest you, Lock. Arresting a man I know is innocent isn’t something I condone. I won’t do it.” She put as much conviction as possible into her words to convey her sincerity to these men who doubted her intentions.
Tracker’s hand landed on her back in silent support. She wanted to burrow into him and escape all her problems, but it wasn’t possible, seeing as how he was one of her problems.
No one made a sound, so when Brooke’s dog rose from his bed and walked across toward his water dish, his clacking nails echoed like bullets.
“Well, fuck me,” Jinx said as he scrubbed a mitt-sized hand over his face.
“That won’t be happening.” Tracker practically growled at his brother.
“Dude, I ain’t trying to poach your woman.” He flipped Tracker off. “Jesus, can’t believe you’re fucking a cop. On purpose.” He shifted his attention to her. “Not that you’re not hot as fuck, but still.”
Jo’s face heated.
“Seriously, Jinx?” Olivia rolled her eyes. “Maybe try to stay on topic.” She faced Jo. “I’m guessing you can’t tell your lieutenant you refuse to carry out an order.”
He’d laugh in her face and slap her with a suspension, and that would be the best-case scenario. “No. I sure as hell can’t. Not if I want to keep my job.”
Not for the first time in the past few weeks, she wondered how much she did want her job.
Spec chuckled, then kissed his girlfriend’s head. “You’re so sweet, babe. ‘Refuse to carry out the order,’” he said, mimicking Olivia’s tone. “What she means is, you should tell him to fuck off with his bullshit.”
Olivia shrugged while the rest of them laughed. “I was trying to be polite, but yes. Essentially.”
Jo’s lips twitched while she shook her head. “You were in the military, Spec. You know you don’t say no to an order from a superior officer. The police force might not be as intense, but chain-of-command is honored the same way.”
Sobering, Spec nodded. “I respect that and understand the shit position you’re in.” He glanced around the room. “It seems like we got two goals here. Keep Lock outta jail and keep Jo from getting canned. So, what’s the plan, boys?”
Jo blinked. Had he offered to help her?
Olivia gave her man a loving smile and mouthed, thank you.