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“Karlee . . .” I’m aware I’m included in that analysis. I lean against the door as she backs away from me. Smart move. “Ya know, I warned you about your date. You didn’t need to read that.”
She sucks in a breath, and rubs her arms. “It’s just . . . it doesn’t matter.”
Karlee comes up and shoves me out of the room, closing the door on me. Shit. I didn’t need to show it to her. Taunt her with it.
Jesus, I’m a prick.
The door to the house opens, and Wendy appears in black yoga pants and a sweatshirt and I know she’s packing. Like I know the outfit’s for sleeping yeah, but also for action if needed. She puts down the groceries she picked up on the way over.
“How’s Avatar?”
I swallow a smile, not sure Karlee would like the codename given to her. “Sulking.”
That’s not exactly fair, I know, but it’s the easiest explanation.
“Not really expecting any trouble.” I head to the small room next to the bathroom. There’s a washer/dryer, bedding, and towels. Grabbing what’s needed, I dump them on the sofa. “Sorry, just the one bedroom.”
“Slept in worse. Grant’s outside tonight, just so you know.”
I nod, taking in the smooth, sleek efficiency of her with her ash blonde hair pulled back in a low ponytail. She’s calm, collected, mature, and knows how the world works. She’d also shoot you dead without a second thought if she thought it was needed in the line of work.
That won’t be happening here, but she’s in good hands to leave things in for the evening.
“I’m going to be working late, but I’m close. Call if there’s a problem.”
She raises a brow at me, and I chuckle, grabbing my things and heading out the door.
Like this is a normal job. Like I didn’t have Karlee coming on my fist. Like everything is A-okay.
I don’t know what the fuck time it is, but my eyes are blurring and burning. I’ve amassed a heap of info, and I keep coming up with the same thin strands. Missing girls across this part of the country, usually blonde. Certain affiliates of the Lowlanders mixing in with El Cabeza and now, by all counts, the hardcore and elusive Smith Group.
With the head of the De Luca family in Arizona along with two top enforcers, it’s prime time to be putting out careful feelers about O’Grady’s whereabouts and possible involvement.
Questions that ordinarily might cause trouble are in grayer light because it’s just me.
But I’m not making the mistake of thinking I can go into their territory.
There’s some give, but nothing like that.
At least not until I have something definitive.
So, I make my long list of Lowlander groups and individuals, and it’s a lot. Some cross all over, and others stay within the fold.
I don’t think I’m even scratching the real surface of any of it. And as for getting shit on El Cabeza? I don’t have that reach.
The thing is, I can’t stop returning to Fallon and why he’s behind bars. I’m not talking about the charges, I’m talking about reasons, the underlying ones, and it’s all murky at best.
Then there’s that kiss.
One that creeps in and wraps around my cock.
A kiss I need to forget and put right back into fantasy territory.
After a contact gets back to me with exactly nothing new, I call it a night.
I circle the couple, a man and a woman—the ones who apparently were on Karlee for information.
Tomorrow, I’ll plan when to revisit Fallon, and get a description from Karlee.
