Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 118780 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 594(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118780 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 594(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
I get a glimpse of the pride on Ace’s face and appreciation coming from Major. He’s definitely had his hands full with Jewls' fortitude to do it all.
Jay’s use of ‘we’ says it all. This is us and we’re family. Major can’t fucking wait for these babies. Hearing Jewls’ health wasn’t on track made him lose his mind. So, he took matters into his own hands and took Harley to visit their OB/GYN.
His next stop was Tom’s.
“You are seriously testing the best friend code of conduct right now.” Jewls’ tone has less bite.
Jay smiles at her sweetly, placing a hand on her stomach. “I’ll take my chances because they are worth being in the line of fire.”
Something in the air changes, and even I feel the weight of emotions. Jewls’ lips tremble and eyes gloss over, but she holds it together. “If you make me cry, I’ll hate you forever.”
“Then it’s a good thing I have these.” Jay whips out a pocket-sized pack of the red licorice we all know will change the mood. Jewls snatches them, rips them open, and eats half in one bite.
“Jesus,” Ace mutters.
“You women tending to my bar or nattering like school girls?” Tom bellows.
“Better get back to work while I can still get tips.” Jewls scatters off, all traces of irritation and emotions gone.
Jay goes in the opposite direction.
Rowan leans back into me. “This place won’t be the same without her.”
“Nope.”
“What happens if she doesn’t rest as directed?” she asks Major.
“She’ll eventually go on bed rest.”
“Oh, that would be awful. She’ll go crazy.”
“Or drive everyone else crazy,” Ginger utters.
“I can give her weekly pedicures to help with the circulation in her legs and ankles.”
“Appreciate that, Hollywood.” Major flashes her a grin that has her giggling.
“The name is really sticking.”
“Of course it is, I don’t give out shitty nicknames.” Tom stops in front of us. “Now I have to worry about training someone.”
“I can help you out,” Shayla offers.
“You don’t strike me as the type to stand behind the bar.”
“I’ve done my share of slinging drinks. Once helped a friend in his pub in England. Rowdy crowds, bar brawls, cat fights… seen it all.”
Tom considers this, jerking his head. “We’ll talk after the wedding.” He walks off.
“You want to be a bartender?” Rowan questions her. “I thought you liked your online job.”
“Not forever, but it will help fill my time a few nights a week.” Shayla shrugs.
“I think it’s a fantastic idea,” Harley chirps, rushing by.
“Great, I’ll never get her out of here,” Ace grouses.
“Told you the way to do it, man.” Major takes another swig of his beer, sounding smug.
I glance between them and then back to Rowan who is grinning knowingly. It’s no secret Ace is ready for Harley to get pregnant.
For the first time, I catch where Major is coming from. Maybe he’s onto something.
“How the hell did this happen?” Robbie kicks his chair with such force it skids to the wall. “Our intel was solid.”
“Roost, what’s in the second crate?” Finn snaps.
“Same bunch of nothing,” the man replies.
“Goddammit!” Finn slams his fist on the table.
James stands at the back wall, arms crossed, feet planted, face stoic. He doesn’t blink at the outburst, staring at the screen passively.
“Pull the men and head to command,” Robbie orders.
The screen goes black and we all stand, unmoving, trying to process what the fuck happened.
My blood boils, scorching through me with a familiar dread. The others resemble the same.
We got it wrong.
We don’t get shit wrong.
I think back through the last week, knowing we scoured every avenue. Then it strikes. “There’s a leak.”
“Ya fucking think, Whitman?” Robbie seethes.
“Robbie.” With one word, he stands down.
“Shit, Dad.”
“Now we’re certain.”
His lack of anger and steady tone has Major, Talon, Ace, and I sharing a look. The man knows more than he’s saying.
“You knew?” I grind out.
“We knew this was a possibility. Working with multiple agencies is tricky at best.”
“Didn’t think to share that shit?”
“Never assume, always prepare.”
“What about letting your team in on the potential?” I return, trying to control the rage in my voice.
“My team did know. It’s Robbie’s team that needed to learn for themselves.”
At this, there is a collective hiss around the room. Not just any hiss, the sound of Marines ready to strike.
“You’ve done enough. Get out.” Robbie barely holds it together.
“Now you know what to do.” James is unscathed as he lets himself out, the room filling with aggression.
Finn stares at the ceiling, hands on hips, his jaw and throat ticking. “Not cool.”
“He’s not one to stroke egos.” Robbie yanks his chair back and scrubs his hands through his hair. “The game just changed.”
“Let’s retrace our steps.” Talon’s voice is a lot calmer than the storm in his eyes. “Shipment was delivered tonight, no doubt about that.”
“What did James mean by ‘now you know what to do’?” Ace growls.