Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36019 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36019 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
“We’ve got a situation.” Midnight’s voice was clipped, tight. “One of our surveillance teams at the Stonegate site ran a sweep an hour ago. Found it rigged to blow. Whole fucking condo building’s wired.”
“Fuck me.” I sat up fast enough to jostle Peyton. She blinked, head lifting slightly, frowning when I pulled away. I mouthed an apology and caressed her cheek, making her smile and settle back against the pillows.
“They didn’t see that shit before?” I muttered into the phone, scrubbing a hand down my face.
“They’re pissed about it, too. Think Calder’s crew slipped in during a shift change yesterday. Used the cover to plant the charges.”
I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood. “Tell ’em not to beat themselves up. That team’s good, but unless you’re there to be the wrecking ball, trained demo crews can ghost in and out. Especially ones taught by me.”
Midnight spoke again. “Wrecker, there’s a fucking timer.”
My jaw clenched. “How long?”
“Four hours,” Midnight replied. “Ticking down fast. They spotted it less than ten minutes ago.”
“Meet me at Iron Shield in thirty. I’ll grab my gear.” I hung up and turned to Peyton.
She pushed up onto one elbow, sheets slipping down her chest. Her hair was a mess, her cheeks flushed with sleep, and her lips kiss-swollen from last night. She looked soft, warm, like every man’s fantasy. And I was about to leave her in a cold fucking bed.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, voice husky.
“Condo building’s wired,” I said, pulling on my jeans. “Midnight’s guys spotted the charges this morning. I gotta go check it out.”
“I’m coming,” she said immediately, scooting to the edge of the bed.
“No, the fuck you’re not,” I fired back as I reached for my shirt.
“Yes, I am,” she snapped, eyes flashing. “We both know how to identify the patterns in the setups. I’ve seen the documents, and I’ve been on those sites. I can help.”
“No,” I said, voice hard. “Not up for discussion.”
Her spine straightened. “Reid—”
I finally stopped and spun around to face her. “Not a chance in hell. That building’s set to blow. We don’t know if someone’s still inside, or if it’s rigged with a manual detonation that they’ll press as soon as they fucking see you. You’re not stepping foot near that shit.”
She stood, stark naked, arms crossed over her chest, and her eyes sparking with heat and fire. “Do we have to have this argument again? I’m not made of freaking glass!”
“No,” I growled, stalking closer until I crowded her, and she had to tilt her head back to meet my eyes. “You’re made of fire, and steel, and soft fucking curves I want wrapped around me till the end of the fucking world. You might not be made of glass, but you’re mine to protect. Which is exactly why I’m not letting you anywhere near an active bomb site!”
Her lips parted, outrage rising, but I leaned in close and dropped my voice.
“You could be pregnant, Peyton.”
That shut her up. Her breath caught, eyes wide. Color rushed into her cheeks. Then her jaw worked for a beat before she muttered, “Low blow.”
“Maybe,” I said, brushing my knuckles down her jaw. “But I’ll take every dirty advantage I have if it keeps you breathing.”
Her nostrils flared as she stared at me, then she huffed and looked away. “Are you trying to knock me up just so you can wrap me in a bubble?”
I smirked and bent to kiss the corner of her mouth. “No, baby. That’s just a side perk.”
She growled and shoved at my chest, but it was weak and halfhearted. “Jerk.”
“I know.” I shrugged on my shirt, then my cut.
She rolled her eyes but stepped forward, wrapping her arms around my waist. “You better come back to me, Reid.”
I tipped her chin up, kissed her hard, then pulled away with reluctance clawing at my chest.
“Be good,” I rasped. “And don’t leave the room unless you’re wearing my cut.” After kissing her hard and fast, I whispered, “Be back before you miss me.”
I cupped the back of her head for one more beat, then forced myself to leave before I dragged her back into bed and said fuck the building.
The site was already roped off when Midnight and I rolled up on our bikes, parking a good distance away, just in case. One of his trucks was backed toward the entrance, and two of his guys were standing guard. They’d secured the perimeter, but I could tell by their grim expressions that the unease was already setting in. Timers had a way of fucking with your head.
Three more brothers pulled up, parking their hogs beside ours before joining us.
“Place was condemned last year,” Midnight muttered as we moved toward the busted entrance. “Inspector's report said that shifts in the ground had caused the foundation to become uneven.”