Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 167(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 167(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
“Something wrong, or are you just looking for an excuse to hang around?” she asked, her eyes dancing as she glanced between me and Sadie.
I pointed at the window. “A broken window, no cameras, and a basic alarm. That’s not gonna cut it.”
Marcy followed my gaze, then shrugged. “We didn’t have any issues during the buildout or while I was gearing up for the opening.”
“Doesn’t mean you won’t now.”
Her smile faded just a touch. She knew I wasn’t playing games.
“Fair enough.” She nodded slowly, and then her grin came right back. “So…are you offering to fix that because this is Iron Rogue’s property, making it club business? Or because a certain someone makes cookies and blushes like a Disney princess?”
I didn’t answer.
Marcy laughed. “Thought so.”
I leveled a look at her. “We take care of what’s ours. Something happens in Iron Rogues’ territory, we handle it before it becomes a problem.”
That part was true.
But it wasn’t the real reason I was here. I took care of what was mine.
Marcy didn’t argue. She didn't look surprised, either.
Her gaze landed on Sadie—who was practically pressed up against my side—and then back at me.
“You gonna do it now, or do you want me to pretend you’re not already planning to stay all morning?”
“Already on it,” I said, pulling out my phone. I called one of our officers, Midnight, who co-owned Iron Shield, our private security company, and told him what I needed. He didn’t ask questions, which was typical since he had a similar background to mine. Though he’d been a SEAL.
“Be there in fifteen,” he grunted.
True to his word, Midnight rolled in fast, his SUV loaded with gear. As he unloaded it, he offered his help.
“Got it handled,” I replied.
He handed over the equipment with a nod, then turned to leave, pausing when he spotted my girl. A barely there smirk formed on his mouth, like he suddenly understood why I wanted to do the job myself.
“You’re so fucked when the guys hear about this,” he gibed, his smirk growing.
He wasn’t wrong. I’d given my brothers plenty of shit when they’d found their old ladies. I was sure they’d use every opportunity to return the favor.
“Fuck off,” I grunted.
He laughed as he climbed back into his SUV before repeating, “So fucked.” Then he was gone.
Marcy disappeared back inside after a minute, trusting me to take care of this.
“I guess I’d better get back to work,” Sadie said reluctantly as she trudged toward the door.
“Go work, sunshine. Let you know when I’m done.”
“Okay,” she replied softly, giving me a sweet smile before following her boss.
I installed the camera they were expecting—just one, right above the entrance. It covered the sidewalk, the parking lot, and part of the road.
Then I added three more. One angled toward the back door. One near the alley. And the last one—smaller and more discreet—just inside, tucked in the upper corner of the front window.
They were all connected to my phone, feeding into an app I controlled. Now I’d be able to see Sadie anytime she was at work.
She wandered back out just as I was putting my tools back into a bag Midnight had brought with the supplies.
“You really didn’t have to do this.” Her voice carried the same sugary warmth that had wrecked me in the first place. “I mean…we’re just a bakery, not exactly a target for robberies or anything like that.”
I looked at her. Really looked. And nearly smiled when she squirmed and red stained her cheeks.
“You’re not just anything,” I told her. My voice came out rougher than I meant it to, but I didn’t bother hiding the hunger and possession I was plagued with.
She blinked, her blue eyes a little hazy and lips parted slightly.
The desire to bite her plush bottom lip was riding me hard, and I had to cough to cover my groan.
I put my hand out and muttered, “Your phone.”
She dug it out of the front pocket of her apron and placed it in my open palm. I quickly added my contact information, then gave it back.
“Anything else happens, you call me,” I instructed. “No matter how small you think it might be.”
“Thank you,” she whispered, her fingers brushing mine as she took back her cell. She was so fucking soft. And warm. It felt like just touching her gave me a fever.
Pink bloomed on her cheeks, and she chewed her bottom lip for a moment before asking, “Do you want mine too?”
“Already have it, sunshine,” I admitted gruffly. It was time I started easing her into her future.
To my astonishment, she didn’t look scared. She also didn’t ask how, and I didn’t volunteer the information.
Then she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear before placing her hand on my biceps and using it for balance as she went up on her toes to brush a kiss over my cheek.