Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 69310 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69310 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
“I saw Vilmer today,” she said, swinging her gaze over at me. “We were in the same meeting. I snuck an extra bug into his briefcase. Maybe you can get something off it since he’s not talking at his apartment or office.”
My eyebrows shot up. “You bugged Vilmer’s briefcase?”
She nodded, then yawned, letting her head fall back. “Yep. You can tell Bane I said you’re welcome,” she drawled with a smirk.
“Linc is still the head of the branch,” I reminded her.
“I know, but Bane will step in soon. I can feel it.”
I wasn’t so sure. He seemed content to let Linc handle things. We all knew that legacy-wise, Bane Cash was the next in line to lead the Mississippi branch. Linc was there until that time came. But Bane didn’t seem to be in a hurry.
“I’m thinking ribs,” Opal said.
“That’s my girl,” I replied.
She grinned and stood back up. “Let me go change out of this and into something I can wear my Sambas with. I am over heels for the day.”
“What the fuck is a Samba?” I asked, frowning as she headed toward her bedroom.
“Adidas, Dad,” she called over her shoulder.
Oh. Well, I knew what those were. Why the hell were they calling them something else? Shrugging, I picked up my phone to see if Wilder had sent me anything yet.
Nine
Bay
“I can’t wait to soak in a bubble bath and have a glass of wine,” Dan said, walking beside me as we headed toward the bus exit.
He had worked in the first-class cabin with me on this flight. Dan hadn’t done domestic flights in years. He chose to do international only. I always ended up on one of his long hauls I did each month. I always looked forward to it because he was entertaining and easy to get along with.
“I’d fall asleep and drown if I did that,” I replied. “Dinner, then shower, then bed for me.”
“It’s harder for me to wind down, and I’ve got another Sydney flight in three days. Charlsie wants to go test wedding cakes at this bakery he found, but first, I need to get some rest.”
“Did you ever decide on the flowers?” I asked him.
On the last flight we had taken together, he’d told me that his fiancé was being indecisive, but he didn’t care either way.
“Yes, finally. Don’t ask me what they all are though. I’ve got no fucking clue. Something about a sorbet color palette. I’m just glad we’ve moved on from talking about it.”
We stepped out into the early evening, and I was relieved to see the bus was already there. I was tired enough that I had been considering paying for a cab.
“I’m gonna throw a wild guess out there and say…I think that tall, dark, sexy piece of ass, watching us all broody-like, is waiting for you,” Dan said in a singsong voice.
I swung my gaze over to where he was looking and paused. My breath hitched at the sight of Hale Carver. I hadn’t really expected to see him again, but I’d thought about him enough on my trip. Just like I’d thought about Pooky and the gang he was in. Trying to think of some way I could help him.
“Uh, um,” I muttered.
“You know him, don’t you? We just spent all this time together, and you didn’t think to mention him once? Girl, what is wrong with you?”
I flicked my gaze up to Dan, then back toward where Hale stood. Still watching me. He fully expected me to go directly to him. And…well, I wanted to. There was relief at seeing him again.
“Yes, sort of,” I replied, feeling my face go warm.
“Sort of? What the fuck kinda answer is that? The man is here to pick you up,” Dan said, sounding exasperated with me.
I tried to smile, but I was feeling so many different emotions about this all that it was hard. “Yeah, I, um…see you next time,” I told Dan.
“Yes, you will, and I want all the deets,” he informed me with a wink.
An awkward laugh bubbled out of me before I turned to walk toward Hale, pulling my rolling carry-on beside me.
The closer I got to him, the more overwhelming he felt. I’d let my imagination take a few naughty turns while keeping myself awake on the flights. Not once expecting to see the man again. The sleeves of his black oxford shirt were rolled up to his elbows, showing off tanned arms with some ink. I let my gaze sweep over the rest of him to see he was once again in jeans and boots. He wore those real well.
My eyes snapped back up to his face, and he appeared amused. Blowing out an unsteady breath, I approached him.
“Do you often hang out here?” I asked.
He smirked. “No.” Then he nodded his head toward his illegally parked Escalade. “Ready?”