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“Yeah. Nothing to worry about.” He sits up, rubbing his stomach. “I’m starving. You?”
“I could eat.”
“Pizza?”
“You eat pizza? Aren’t you into grilled chicken and broccoli?”
“I’m a defenseman. I eat what I want.”
“I like pizza. Not picky about toppings.”
“Cool.”
He gets out of bed and crosses the bedroom to throw on a pair of sweats. This is playing out much differently than Iexpected, but I’m not upset about it. Two rounds of hot sex and food? Not a bad way to spend an afternoon.
After I leave here, I need to touch base with Whisper to see if he’s found out anything more about my target, then hopefully I can make some progress before Shadow questions me about it. For right now though, I have a hot hockey player to focus on.
Two hours later, my phone buzzes and it’s my turn to check back into the real world.
I open the app to the Murder Buddies group chat, chuckling at the name Colson changed it to when we added him. I laugh every time.
Carnage: I’m at a club in West Mistone and I’m seeing some shady stuff going down. Anyone around to join me?
Shadow: What kind of shady stuff?
Carnage: I saw some dudes go into a back room, but it’s heavily guarded. A few minutes later, a bunch of young women were sent back there too. Doesn’t look right. I know it’s not our bag to get involved in things we weren’t hired to do, but my target is here. I can do what I need to but it might get messy.
Stealth: I’m available. Send me in, boss.
It takes a minute or two for Shadow to respond.
Shadow: Who else is available?
Stealth: Seriously? WTF Shadow?
Shadow: I didn’t say no. I asked who else is around.
Guilt pings at my chest. I can’t sit here letting my brothers down just for another chance to taste Bouche’s dick.
Me: I can be available.
Specter: Can’t. On my way to my target now.
The other guys chime in with similar statements. Okay. It has to be me.
Me: Send your location, Carn.
Dots pop up, then go away, then pop up again.
Shadow: Swing by and grab Stealth on the way.
Stealth: Fuck yeah.
Me: You got it, boss. Give me thirty minutes.
“I have to go,” I announce, closing the app. “Work thing just popped up.”
I see disappointment in Bouche’s eyes, but he quickly blinks it away.
