Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
And then a man appeared, looking far too official to be lost. He was short, bald, and rotund, wearing a suit and carrying a tablet under his arm and a measuring tape clipped to his pocket. I stood with a frown. Dom, Maxx, and Stefano all stood beside me. “Can I help you?”
He approached me, handing me a card. “I was called about an unlicensed build happening.”
“No, sir. I have a building permit.”
He walked with me, and I got the permit, showing it to him. He checked it over, made some measurements, asked a couple of questions, then nodded, and closed his tablet. “All looks in order. I think maybe one of your neighbors took exception and made a call. I’ll make my report as passed.” He handed me a card. “Thanks for your cooperation.” He shrugged out of his jacket, wiping his head. “Now I’m off for the day.”
“Can I offer you a burger and a soda?” Hannah asked beside me. “Since you’re off the clock and all? We’re about to have cake.”
His eyes glowed. “Cake?”
She nodded. “Pound cake with fresh strawberries.”
He hesitated. “I did miss lunch because of this call.”
Charly linked her arm with his. “Come join us for a bite, then.”
They walked away, and I glanced at Dom. “Neighbor, my ass.”
“Exactly my thoughts.”
Just then a cop walked around the side of the house. I cursed under my breath. He approached us with a nod, removing his hat. It wasn’t Dan, but I didn’t recognize him.
“Sorry to bother. We had a complaint about a noise violation and a loud party of bikers going on at this address.” He looked around. “Looks more like a bunch of friends helping out to me.”
Hannah returned, looking surprised. “Ben, what are you doing here?”
He smiled at her. “Hannah.” He repeated what he’d told us. Maxx walked over and shook his hand. “Ben. What brings you here?”
“Bullshit is what brings him,” Hannah muttered. “A bogus call.” She met my gaze.
“Why would someone do that?” Ben asked.
“Spite,” I muttered.
“The same reason someone sent a permit inspector. To embarrass us in front of our neighbors,” Hannah said, sounding furious.
“You live here?” he asked.
She wrapped her arm around my waist. “Yes. Chase and I live here.”
“Well, congrats. Sorry to spoil the party. I had to check it out. Obviously, someone had the wrong address. I’ll have the call checked. Nothing but friends helping friends here.” He inhaled. “And sharing some great food.”
“Come have a burger and a soda,” I offered.
“I couldn’t.”
“Sure you can. Take it to go if you have to. There is plenty.”
“I could radio in I’m taking a break.”
“Do that,” Hannah urged. “Come sit for a few minutes.”
He agreed, and soon the group had two more guests. The cop and the building inspector, no doubt sent by OD to piss us off and hopefully stop what we were doing.
Listening to the two men laugh and watching them eat the food we gave them with gusto, I was sure we’d spoiled his endeavors.
The satisfaction I got from that made me smile.
Later that night, Hannah snuggled into my side, laughing as I groaned and wrapped my arm around her. Or tried to.
“I can’t tonight, Cinnamon. My body is killing me.”
“You were so hot today, working on the roof, sweating, your muscles rippling,” she murmured.
“I have no idea how the rest of the guys feel. They all seemed fine. I am way out of shape, I guess.” I ached everywhere, but the roof was done. Many hands made it go fast. The deck was framed. It had been a productive, and exhausting, day.
She shook her head. “Everyone was sore, I think. Even Dom was off his game. He kissed Mom goodbye and didn’t attempt to drag her with him.”
“He’ll be back in the morning. Did you know they had dinner last week?”
“Mom mentioned it today.”
“I think Dom is pretty serious about her. You Gallagher women are hard to resist.”
She smirked, kissing my chest. She trailed her fingers down my torso, light and teasing. “It’s futile.”
I pressed a kiss to her head. “I’m not trying.”
She hummed and was quiet for a moment. “I’m talking to my boss.”
I knew what she meant. “We don’t know it was him. There’s no proof.”
“Far too coincidental. He knows where we live. I told him to stay away, and he doesn’t want me ratting on him. He thinks I’m too stupid to figure out that a cop and building permit inspector show up? A noise violation? Seriously. None of your neighbors would do that. They all love you.”
“I agree it was OD, but we have no proof. Going to your boss now isn’t a good plan.”
She sat up, looking down at me with a confused look. “OD?”
“Yeah. Officer Dickface. OD for short.”
She blinked, then began to laugh. Her shoulders shook with the force of her merriment. “Oh my God, that’s priceless.”