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)
With a groan, Tracker wrapped his arms around her waist. “Later, baby. Later I’ll touch you until you’re begging for my cock.”
“Promise?”
He squeezed her hip. “Fuck yes.” Though he wasn’t positive he could hold up that promise. Chances were, he’d need to bury himself inside her long before she got to the begging phase.
“Hey! Lovebirds! You two wanna join the conversation, or you just gonna search for the meaning of life in each other’s eyes all night?”
Spec’s comment had Jo jolting in his arms. Her cheeks turned pink, and she faced his chosen family, who were all staring with various levels of amusement on their faces.
“Sorry,” she squeaked. “What were you saying?”
Everyone busted out laughing, even Jo. After that, the conversation flowed naturally. They ate, drank a few beers, and talked about everything from Brooke’s dogs to UFC to Spec’s favorite Housewife. And yes, he had one, thanks to his bougie girlfriend and her affinity for trashy reality television. Apparently, she’d attended ritzy parties with some of the women in the past.
Eventually, the food disappeared, and they stopped drinking as twilight fell.
“I know there are countless gorgeous locations in the world, but I find it hard to beat sunset on the Gulf,” Curly said as the conversation came to a comfortable lull. “Always have.”
“I totally agree,” Brooke chimed in.
“This was a good idea, babe,” Curly continued. “We don’t do this shit enough. Take the time to enjoy what we have.”
“So, um… not to ruin the moment, but how’s Lock doing?” Jo asked.
For one heartbeat, the air grew tense as his brothers no doubt questioned her motives. But Brooke, forever the rescuer, broke the silence. “I swung by to bring him groceries earlier. He’s holding up okay. Mostly worried about his nephew. It’s killing him that he can’t go to the hospital to check on the baby himself.”
“Any word on when he’ll be released?”
“I heard that babies born as early as he was typically remained in the NICU until their due date, sometimes longer. So it’ll be a month, maybe more,” Liv piped in.
“I guess the silver lining is that it gives us time to sort out the mess Lock is in before the baby needs a home,” Jo added.
His heart did backflips over her use of the word ‘we.’ Damn, his brother was right. He was a whipped fucker.
“Speaking of,” Spec shifted to face Jo more easily with Liv on his lap. “What’s happening on your end? We shared. It’s only fair you do as well.”
Tracker stiffened. “Spec…”
Jo’s hand landed on the side of his thigh. “No, it’s okay. He’s right. I have no problem holding up my end.”
God, this woman. Really, she didn’t need to give them any details. She’d helped hide Lock and steered her department off his trail. She didn’t owe them anything else. But there she was again, risking herself to help him and his family.
Fucking amazing.
“My lieutenant is frustrated. We’ve searched every logical place Lock might be laying low to no avail, of course. My LT is convinced you guys rushed him out of town.”
Brooke sucked in a breath. “That’s good, right? Means they’ll stop searching soon?”
“That’s what I’m hoping. The higher-ups haven’t shared much, but my guess is we’re a day or two from moving the search to a much lower priority or giving up altogether.”
“Will he bring the guys in for interviews? To see if they know where Lock is?” Liv twisted her hands in her lap until Spec noticed and cupped his much larger ones around hers.
Jo shook her head. “I don’t think so. He knows it’s a waste of time. If there was even a shred of evidence to support the theory that Lock is selling drugs and skipped town, then yes, he’d haul your asses in right now. But your lawyers would have you out in minutes, and he knows none of you will talk.”
“Okay,” Tracker said. “So hopefully, the heat on Lock will die down soon, but we still need a way to get the cops sniffing after Lobo instead.”
“Do you think Lobo has a contact in the police department?” Brooke asked. “Someone he’s paying off?”
“I’d say that’s almost a certainty,” Jo said. “With the way they are so adamant about their reluctance to pursue that angle. I’m just not who it is or how far his reach extends.”
Silence fell again as they each lost themselves in the sunset and their thoughts. Most of the beach had cleared out. This time of year wasn’t huge for tourists since kids were in back school, so their favorite section of the beach grew pretty isolated by early evening.
Tracker let his gaze wander as he enjoyed the warmth of the sun, the soft weight of Jo on his lap, and the mild buzz of alcohol in his veins. Across the beach, maybe seventy yards or so, two men walked toward each other from opposite directions.