Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 28711 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 144(@200wpm)___ 115(@250wpm)___ 96(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 28711 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 144(@200wpm)___ 115(@250wpm)___ 96(@300wpm)
Charlie hesitates, looking at me.
"I'm not leaving, so you might as well tell the man what the hell is going on, kitten," I growl.
"Don't be bossy."
I tug her closer, putting my mouth right up against her ear. "You're asking another man for help but won't even tell your man what you're running from. You haven't even seen bossy yet, baby."
"M-my man?" she squeaks.
"Yeah, you heard what I said. Your man." I press my lips to her skin because I can't resist. "I'm not just chasing your gorgeous ass around town for the hell of it, kitten. I'm going to be the man you run to with your problems and the one who helps you solve them. You have no idea how bossy I want to be right now. I'm only playing nice because you're already stressed out. I need to earn your trust."
"Jesus," Ryker laughs abruptly. "My wife would have a field day with you."
"Do you mean that?" Charlie asks, staring at me with wide eyes. "Or are you just saying that to lull me into a false sense of security so I divulge my secrets?"
"Kitten," I sigh, pressing my lips to her forehead, and then I chuckle because I can't help it. She's wild in the best way. "Tell the man why you need spy help so we can get this shitshow on the road already."
"I'm hiding from my family," she blurts. "They can't know I'm here." She points at Ryker. "Which means you can't tell Razor."
"What the fuck does he have to do with this?" I growl, throwing my hands up. "He's a guitarist, for fuck's sake."
"Yeah, and he's married to my sister. If he finds out I'm here, he'll tell her, then she'll tell Leia, who will tell Heidi, who will tell my parents. Heidi can't keep secrets. She's worse than Gemma. She cracks like an egg!"
"How many sisters do you have?" I ask, trying to keep up.
"Four. Oh, and Garrett. He's our older brother."
"Why don't you want your parents to know you're here, Charlie?" Ryker asks, shaking his head.
She bites her lip, hesitating. I don't miss the way her gaze darts to me, though. She's clinging to this secret with both hands. "I can't tell you that," she says quickly. "It's not important. But I need help."
Ryker runs a hand through his short hair, shooting me a look. I subtly nod, giving him the go-ahead. "What can I do?"
"I need to find proof that a professor is sleeping with a student," she says.
A growl rumbles in my chest. I step closer to her, my protective instincts flaring. "Is some fucker trying to use his position to force you into a relationship?"
"What? No, of course not." She gives her head an adamant shake. "It's a female professor, and she's sleeping with her daughter's ex-boyfriend. I need to prove it."
"Why?" I demand.
"Because justice!" she cries in exasperation. "It doesn't matter why. Can you please focus?"
I narrow my eyes on her. It does matter. I think it matters a whole helluva lot. This is important to her, not just because she finds it morally wrong, but for some reason I don't understand yet. It's personal. It bothers her on a fundamental level. But she's not going to tell me why, not right now, so I don't push.
Instead, I glance at Ryker. "We aren't going to need your help with this one."
"Finn?" he guesses.
"Finn," I confirm. I may not be a former CIA agent, but I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Finn "Hacker" Taylor is in my brother's MC. He can hack into anything. If my kitten needs proof, he'll find it for her.
Ryker jerks his chin in a nod.
"We do so need his help," Charlie protests. "And who is Finn?"
"Charlie?" I place my finger over her lips, silencing her. "Trust me, kitten. I've got it under control. You don't need Ryker's help for this one."
"Okay," she whispers, exhaling a deep breath. Call me crazy, but I think it may be the first time she's breathed easy since she started running. Poor little kitten isn't just arguing for the sake of it. She's backed into a corner and fighting for her life. She hasn't figured out that I've got her, but she will.
I've got her now, and I'm not letting her go.
Chapter Six
Charlie
"Have you eaten today?" Xavier asks, brushing a strand of hair off my cheek as he backs out of Ryker's driveway. Somehow, he talked me into giving him the keys. I don't even know how. He's too good at the talking thing.
"No. I wasn't hungry."
"You need to eat," he grunts, a furrow appearing between his brows.
I smile over at him. "You're the older twin, aren't you?"
"Nope. Younger."
"Really?"
"Tate is three minutes older than I am."
My smile grows. "Well, you're bossy enough for the both of you. I thought for sure you were older."