Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 24601 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24601 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
"I'll consider it," I say, grinning as he ducks out the door.
He just chuckles, closing it behind him.
"Fuck," I mutter into the silence once he's gone, dragging my phone out of my pocket to call Dillon.
He answers on the second ring. "Nice of you to finally call me back."
"Been busy," I grunt.
"Yeah, well, so have I. I need you to bring Morgan in."
I tense, a ball of dread in my stomach. "Why do you need me to bring her in?"
"We did a deep dive through Burkett's records. He's raked in a pretty penny on insurance claims over the last ten years. Either he has the worst luck, or he's full of shit," Dillon says, his tone leaving no doubts about which he thinks it is. "I'd like to get some intel from your girl before I go ruin his day."
"What kind of intel?"
"The kind that'll help me clear her name a little faster. Jesus Christ," he bitches. "You want to play twenty more questions, or do you want to bring her in so we can nail the prick to the wall?"
"Fuck," I growl, blowing out a sharp breath. "Fine. I'll bring her into the station."
"Good. Be here today."
He hangs up on me before I can tell him I may need a little longer than that.
"Son of a bitch," I growl, shoving my phone back into my pocket.
"You're taking me to the station?" Morgan asks from behind me, her voice whisper-quiet.
I spin to find her standing in the bedroom doorway, her face pale, a pillow crease on one cheek. Her blonde hair is wild, my t-shirt hitting her mid-thigh. She's so fucking pretty.
"Hey, baby. I didn't realize you were awake."
"I noticed. What's going on, Blaze?" she asks, crossing her arms. "Are you turning me in?"
"What the fuck?" I growl, narrowing my eyes at her. "You think I could turn you in, Calamity?"
"I…" She trails off, licking her lips. "I hope not."
I stare at her for a long moment and then snatch her up, my hands around her waist. I want to spank her little ass until she's screaming that she knows I'd never do that, but I see the fear in her eyes, and I can't. I fucking can't.
Because I know this whole situation is eating at her. I see it in the quiet moments, when she gets lost in her own head. I hear it at night, when she's muttering in her sleep. She's so worried that she's going to end up in prison over this.
I've wanted to kill Burkett a thousand times. I want to do it again now. But Flint and Dillon were both right, damn them. That isn't what she needs. It was never what she needed. She needs to know her name is clear and that prick's reputation is in shreds. That's the only way she'll ever truly breathe easy again.
A fist in his face won't give her that, as much as I wish it would.
I stomp into the bedroom with her, dropping her on the bed. She tries to roll away, mad as hell, but I pin her, straddling her hips.
"You can't kidnap me every time you don't like what I have to say, you big bully!" she cries, glaring at me.
"I didn't kidnap you, baby. I brought you back to our bed in our home, where you belong." I lean back just enough to rip my t-shirt off over her head. "And you're going to stay right here until not a single part of you believes that I could ever or would ever turn you in."
"You said you were taking me in," she says, still scowling at me.
"Yes, taking being the operative word here, Calamity. There's a difference between taking you in and turning you in."
"Not if you have a felony warrant, there's not!" she cries. "They don't just let you go once you're inside when you're wanted for a felony, Blaze. They keep you."
Well, hell. She may have a point there.
"They aren't keeping you," I growl.
"You don't know that."
"Yes, I do."
"How?"
"I went to see Dillon the day you got here," I murmur.
"W-what?" Her expression goes slack.
"He's known exactly where you were this entire time, baby. And he doesn't believe you're guilty. He wants to ask you some questions about what you know before he raids Burkett's place for insurance fraud."
"He…he does?"
"Yes."
"You could have led with that," she mumbles like I'm getting on her damn nerves.
"Yeah, but then you wouldn't be naked beneath me." I thumb her nipple and then pinch it. "And I wouldn't be touching this pretty little body, preparing to tell you the most important thing I've ever said."
"Blaze," she moans.
I run my hands across her, watching her ignite for me. She burns so fucking hot, her face flushing and her eyes dilating. Before I even slip my hand between her thighs, she's begging for it.