Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 66859 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 334(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66859 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 334(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
“Well, he did go on a date the other day,” I say.
“Really?” Eve says, eyes wide. “With who?”
“No idea, he was just going out.”
“Oh, Captain is in love.”
“Captain?” I ask.
“That’s what the guys call him,” Eve tells me.
I snort. “Oh, he’s not living that one down.”
“Yo.”
I look over to see a handsome guy sitting next to Eve. He looks a great deal like her, and I have to wonder if they’re related somehow.
“Well, who is this handsome devil?” I ask with a grin.
“This is my brother, Stefano,” Eve tells me. “He’s just joined the club. He’s still their little bitch.”
She nudges him with her shoulder and he rolls his eyes. “Don’t fuckin’ remind me.”
“You should have behaved yourself and you wouldn’t have had to worry about it,” Eve tells him, wiggling her finger.
“Yeah, yeah.”
I laugh and pour another drink, swallowing it down and loving how it warms my body.
Yes.
This is exactly what I needed.
The drinks, and the information.
3
“Is it wise to be leaving the club alone?”
I squeal at the sound of a man’s voice coming from near the cars in the parking lot. I came out here to get some fresh air because I’m drunk as hell. Eve told me I can stay with her tonight so nobody has to take me back to the warehouse, and her café and apartment is right next to the garage slash clubhouse that the bikers run. In between is a massive parking lot and that parking lot is where I’m currently trying to sober up a touch.
I manage to steady myself to see hot cop leaning against a car that looks a lot like it could be a cop car but without all the bits and bobs. Like an undercover car. Sneaky.
“Stalking,” I point out, “is a crime.”
He grins.
God, he would melt a few panties off. No doubt.
“I’m just here because of a noise complaint.”
“Really,” I say, crossing my arms and using some random stranger’s car to lean against so I don’t fall on my face. “And what noise complaint would that be?”
“That one.”
He points toward the clubhouse where the booming music is coming from.
“Oh.”
“I thought you didn’t know those guys?” he asks me.
“I don’t. I didn’t come from that party.”
God, I’m a terrible liar.
“Really, where did you come from then?”
I grunt and point to Eve’s apartment. “There.”
“So you’re friends with Eve, the President’s woman?”
God.
“I told you this. Listen, buddy,” I say, wiggling a finger, “I haven’t done anything wrong here. I was having a few drinks with friends, it’s not my problem what she does in her spare time.”
“I think you might be interested in helping me out, there are benefits in it for you,” he goes on, as if I haven’t spoken.
“I don’t need benefits,” I mutter.
“You have some bad people after you, Poppy. Isn’t that correct?”
Fuck.
Why does he know so much?
“How do you know so much about me?”
He gives me that stupid sexy half grin. “I’m a detective, it’s my job.”
“Well, I don’t need your help. I’m doing just fine on my own, thank you very much. I’m not helping you with whatever it is you want.”
“Even if I promised your safety and freedom?”
I mean, it’s tempting. But I’m not snitch.
“No, thanks.” I smile, giving him a thumbs up.
“I can get you away from all of this, so you are free to do whatever you like in life with no one hurting you or hunting you.”
“At the expense of what?” I shake my head. “Other people’s lives?”
“Those people are criminals.”
“And? How do you know I’m not?”
“I know you are, but I’m willing to do you a deal.”
Jesus.
“What exactly is it you want, hot cop?”
He crosses his arms. “I want information on that biker club, they’re doing illegal business and I want proof. You give me that and the cartel that’s after you disappears, as well as the man you call a husband.”
“Firstly,” I say as I wave a finger, “you can’t make a cartel ‘disappear’ and, secondly, my husband isn’t really a problem.”
“I can make you disappear, Poppy. You disappear, they forget about you and you start again.”
I roll my eyes. “I can start my own life thank you very much, I know how to change my name and move ...”
“Poppy!”
Eve’s voice trails over the parking lot.
“Thought you said you weren’t at that party?” Hot cop says.
I blow him a kiss.
I turn to look at Eve; she’s running toward me. I wave, and by the time I turn around, hot cop is in his car and driving away.
God, he’s like a slippery snake.
And one that doesn’t seem like he’s going to go away anytime soon.
Awesome.
I STUMBLE THROUGH THE clubhouse, through the sea of people, looking for Eve so I can get her key and go the hell to sleep. I’m way too drunk, and I need to get out of here and find some water and food. Considering I’m a prisoner, they’re not doing a great job at holding me. I shove past people and finally run into Beckett, who is standing against the bar, a woman in front of him, her hand shoved into his jeans as she whispers something into his ear.