Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 85228 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85228 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
The cool air is a relief to my skin, but despite the clean breeze coming off the mountains, it doesn't clear my head of the thoughts I've done my best to remove from my mind.
She's never far from my thoughts whether I want her there or not. Thinking about her tied to that St. Andrew's cross feels wrong, but that doesn't stop my heart from pounding when those memories flash in my mind.
I'm not into that sort of thing. Women being tied up or restrained has never been something that gets me off, but that's how I've seen her now twice. It makes me want to see her differently, maybe lounged back on my bed or smiling at me from the pool in that demure little one-piece bathing suit she wore not long ago.
It seems like hours drag by as the different teams trade all the information needed to end this case. I spend the majority of that time on the small deck just outside the back door of the business, waiting for Lark to give the feds all the information he gathered.
Each job we work should make dealing with the other agencies easier, but since we're all over this side of the United States, we always run into folks who feel as if their toes are being stepped on.
They don't have the time nor resources to do what we do, but they're also never grateful to have cases solved by outside forces in their jurisdictions. It's weird that they'd have a problem with criminals being stopped, especially the kind who hurt women, but we always catch attitude.
I can't count how many times I've been told the evidence I've gathered isn't good enough or won't hold up in court. We make a point to make sure we have enough to convict before pulling the trigger on a raid.
"You gonna sit out here all damn night with your dick in your hand?"
I turn and narrow my eyes at Nyx. The man is a fucking menace, but I know he doesn't mean anything offensive. That's just how he is.
"Everyone done?" I ask, standing from the small pub-style table.
"Hemlock told a couple of us to head out. He still has some shit to settle with the DEA," he says as he walks away. "Figured you were ready since you haven't done shit the last twenty minutes."
I follow him to the SUV, both wanting to be home and knowing that being back in Gatlinburg is going to make my skin crawl until I go back to the club.
Hell, I guess I could just hang out in the living room. I know that Caitlyn visits with Eli four or so times a week. Remembering that makes me take a mental pause.
Jericho was adamant about me not getting involved with her in any way because he won't have that interference ruining his son's therapy, and suddenly I feel like a complete piece of shit for even letting the woman infiltrate my thoughts.
I'd never do anything to compromise the boy's recovery. Eli has been through enough in his short little life. The last thing he needs is to anticipate Caitlyn showing up and then being disappointed that she doesn't because I get in the way and make her uncomfortable.
Guilt swims inside of me as I climb into the back passenger seat of the SUV, not saying a word to Lark and Zeus, who are both in the front. Once Nyx is settled in behind Zeus, who is driving, he puts the vehicle in drive and we start the just over two-hour journey back home.
I'm not surprised by the silence in the SUV. I have no doubt that the other guys are reflecting on the events of the day while I try to erase all thoughts of the therapist from my mind.
"He's zoned out," Nyx grunts, but then he smacks the back of his hand across my chest.
I glare at the man and watch as his lips tilt slightly as if he's just waiting for me to do something about it. I see it as the challenge that it is, but the man is seriously a psycho. I'd be a fool to get into a tussle with him. I think there's a real chance he might be a little more unhinged than Hemlock, and I was worried about Zara's safety more than once while keeping an eye on the both of them at the Lost Kitten all those months ago.
"What?" I growl, turning my attention to Zeus when Nyx angles his head in that direction.
"I asked if you're planning on going back to the club," Zeus says as he risks a glance over his shoulder at me.
"Why would I do that?" I ask, wondering if he's using this as a segue into telling the guys about the good doctor's appearance there.