Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 81076 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81076 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“You should get Dipsy to do a piece on you for the local news,” Bear says. “More people watch TV than read anyway. Might be good damage control, and I’m sure she’d make you look great. She’s the sweetest person I’ve ever met.”
I press my lips together, but I can’t resist noting, “She seems that way, but she…lied to you. And lies aren’t great.”
Bear’s gaze darkens. “No, they’re not.”
“But there has to be a reason she lied,” I say, inspiration striking. “Maybe, if I call her about a possible interview, I can gently feel her out about cat influencing and her friend Bear while I’m at it.”
He perks up. “Yeah? You’d do that?”
“I totally would,” I say, waving a breezy hand. “And I’m a great wingwoman. I’ll keep it very classy and on the down-low. She won’t suspect I’m pumping her for information for a second.”
“I would really appreciate that,” Bear says. “I’d appreciate it enough to up that kitten offer to two picks of the litter. It would be nice for the little guys to have a friend around when they leave their mom.”
“Love the kitten and matchmaking vibes,” Matty cuts in. “But we should start packing up. An extraction team is on the way. They’ll be here in about half an hour. They’re going to move all of us, including Clyde, to an undisclosed location. We’ll leave Clyde’s collar here when we go, just in case the Sweetwaters have managed to lock onto the signal. Wimpy isn’t tech savvy, but I’m not sure about Rex. Better to play it safe and we can replace the tracker for you later.”
Bear stands. “What about my truck? I don’t have a pass for overnight parking.”
“We’ll talk to the hotel and make sure you’re not towed,” Matty says, motioning toward me. “Do you have your things packed, Nora?”
I nod. “Mostly. Just need to throw my toiletries in my purse.”
Matty nods. “Great. I’ll carry our things and you can help Bear with Clyde. Moving her obviously isn’t ideal. I’m sure she would rather not be disturbed, but we’ll be as gentle as we can.”
“Better disturbed by a gentle move than mobsters coming to snatch and grab her,” I say, flashing what I hope is a comforting smile Bear’s way. “Which won’t happen. She’s safe, we’re safe, everything’s going to work out fine. And yes, I will gratefully accept two kittens. Thank you so much.”
“My pleasure.” Bear glances at his watch. “I’ll do another quick kitten check.”
“Nora, could I have a word in the other room?” Matty asks, jabbing a thumb toward the hallway.
“Sure thing.” I shift past Bear and follow Matty into the living room. When we’re alone, I ask, “What’s up?”
“I actually won’t be going with you to the safe house,” he says in a softer voice. “I need to get to the Sweetwater database while they’re busy with other things and now is as good a time as any. If I head for Bad Dog as soon as you two leave with the team, I’ll get there right after the employees have closed the cupcake shop for the night.”
I exhale. “Okay. But you’ll be really careful and not go alone?”
“I’ll be alone, but I’ll have backup close by if I need it. No one wants to see this mission go south. My handler is making sure I have the support I need to close this out without any further hiccups.”
I nibble my lip. “I don’t like that. You shouldn’t go alone. Take me with you. I can be your lookout.”
“No,” he says without hesitation.
“Why not?” I prop my hands on my hips. “I’m a very observant, AKA nosy person. Who better to keep watch and make sure you’re not interrupted while you’re lurking and sneaking?”
“No,” he repeats. “You’ll attract the wrong kind of attention. I’m going to be disabling the surveillance cameras and breaking in wearing blacks and a ski mask.”
“Then, I’ll cover my face, too! And I can wear bulky clothes so no one will be able to tell if I’m a man or a woman.”
He arches a brow. “They would be able to tell. You move like a woman.”
“Oh yeah?” I lean closer, not above using my feminine wiles to sway him into letting me help.
But before I can think of something witty to say to convince him that having me along is the smart and sexy choice—we could celebrate our victorious mission by making out in nothing but our ski masks afterwards—the fire alarm blares.
My hands fly to my ears as a red light on the wall begins to pulse. “Oh wow, that’s loud. Should we head to the lobby?”
“Not yet,” Matty says, shouting to be heard over the sharp, screaming siren as he moves toward the door. “Let me do a quick sweep first. Make sure it’s not a false alarm or the Sweetwaters trying to flush us out.”