Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 121728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
When he twisted his head to where she stood, his dark eyes pierced her soul.
“By us… do you mean…”
“Us, as in the Blue Avengers,” he clarified. “He told you he belongs to an MC, right?”
“He did tell me that, yes. But does he share everything about his personal life with you guys?”
“Yeah. We’re his brothers. Not by blood, but by bond.”
Decker had said something similar. Family is family, whether by blood or by bond. It had stuck with her.
“Then you’d have to ask him why he didn’t announce our partnership. I can’t speak for him.”
Even though Rez’s dark eyes narrowed, it appeared as though he was also masking his amusement. “Your partnership?”
Oh yeah, this man was nosy.
She ignored the question and rounded the couch to see a contented Finn curled up in his lap. Rez’s long fingers trailed back and forth along the cat’s back.
A lot of women would probably enjoy that, too.
She mentally shook herself. “Was there something specific he was worried enough about to send you over? Is our safety in question? Should I be cautious about anything in particular?”
“Nah. He just takes his baby girl’s safety seriously. How’d he find you?”
Jesus. Rez was determined to find out the details of their arrangement.
“That’s part of the long story I mentioned.”
He raised the bottle and began to tip it toward his lips. “Like I said, got plenty of time. Decker asked, I answered. So, here I am. I’ve got nowhere else to be right now except in this spot.”
“It’s the middle of my workday.” Dropping that hint might keep him from getting too comfortable.
She kept her face a blank mask as he studied her. “You work remotely?”
“Yes. That’s why our arrangement works perfectly.”
She could read it in his face, he still wanted to push for details, but she could also see he was resigned to the fact he wouldn’t get answers. At least from her.
“Then I’ll just hang here for a bit until Val wakes up. This way I can assure All Hands on Deck that everything is good with his girl. Plus, it’s been a while since I’ve seen her.”
What was with the crazy nicknames? Was this a game Decker’s buddies played with each other? One where whoever could come up with the most ridiculous nickname won?
The fact was, it wasn’t her house and she couldn’t ask him to leave, especially since Decker sent him. However, she would shoot a text off to him to be sure. “Fine. The TV remote’s on the coffee table. If you don’t mind, I’m going to head back into the office and finish up what I was working on before Val wakes up.”
Rez lifted his beer up in acknowledgment.
But before she could do just that, Val wandered out of the hallway on her side of the house, walking like a zombie and rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. Her dark blonde hair was a frightening mess, her clothes disheveled and creases marked her face, reminding her of Decker the other morning.
Her sleepy expression quickly changed to wide awake when Rez called out, “There she is! Valee Girl!”
“Uncle Rez!” Val shrieked as she tore across the living room and launched herself at him, Finn barely escaping being squished between them.
He quickly put the bottle down and wrapped his arms around the little girl to squeeze her tight, while blowing raspberries against her neck.
Squealing and giggling, she squirmed like a worm in his arms. His deep laughter filled the room. Once he loosened his hold, Val leaned back so they could see each other better.
“D’you bring me pizza?” she asked with her little face turned up to his and her eyes lit up.
His dark eyes went wide. “Whoa. Was I supposed to bring you pizza?”
Val’s head flopped back and forth. “Yes. It’s the law.”
Both of his eyebrows shot up. “The law, huh? Are you going to arrest me for breaking it?”
She nodded again like her head weighed a hundred pounds. “Yep. And throw away the key!”
Rez gasped and slapped both hands to his cheeks. “Oh no! Don’t throw away the key! How will I ever bring Valee Girl her favorite pizza again?”
Val yanked on a handful of his beard. “Uncle Rez, you’re bein’ silly!”
“No, you are!” he exclaimed with a poke to her belly, then sobered. “Daddy’s been working at a pizza shop. He hasn’t brought you any?”
“You always bring the good kind.”
“Should I go and get you some? I could eat some pizza.” He patted his very firm stomach. “Covered with lots of stinky garlic and onions, anchovies, eggplant and artichokes. Mmm mmm mmm.”
“No!” Val shrieked on a laugh. “Just pepperoni, silly!”
“Well, that’s boring.” He faked a yawn.
He surged from the couch, hauling Val up with him by grabbing her ankles and hanging her upside down, swinging her back and forth. Her ear-piercing shriek made Sloane wince.