Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39161 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39161 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
“I’m really gonna spank that little brat when I see her again.”
“Didn’t know you had a kid, Jax.” Loki clapped me on the back as he walked by. The grin on his grizzled face told me he was fully aware I didn’t actually have a kid.
“You know better.” I fell into step beside him as we made our way to the transport back to the States. We were headed home from a high-profile protection detail with ExFil. Thankfully, it had been an exceedingly boring assignment. I knew Holly had been planning something but hadn’t figured out what it was when the assignment came down. So, of course, she waited until I left before letting anyone know she was going.
“Hmm. Woman, then.”
“Isn’t it always?”
Loki appeared to think about that, giving it serious consideration. “You know. I think you might be right about that.”
There was a beat of silence before we both chuckled. Again, Loki clapped me on the back and we boarded the big troop carrier headed back to South Carolina and ExFil.
I strapped myself in and pulled out my phone. I shot a text to Shotgun, needing him to look into what the fuck was going on. If Shotgun wouldn’t help me, I’d take it to Holly’s daddy. No way Wrath approved of this or would allow it. I’m surprised El Diablo hadn’t put a stop to it because no way he didn’t know.
Me: What outfit is Holly going to Columbia with?
Shotgun: Holly’s going to Columbia?
Me: What she said.
There was a long pause before the dots signifying Shotgun’s reply appeared.
Shotgun: There’s a charter flying out of Miami International. Fifteen passengers, including one VIP. Looks like she’s a passenger.
Me: When’s it leave?
Shotgun: 6PM tonight.
The little witch had lied to me! Probably hadn’t expected I’d be thorough enough to actually check myself. She knew I was out of the country. She also knew how these tours worked and the timeline. Little hellion likely thought I’d wait until I got back to South Carolina. The flight was only ten hours, so when I landed I’d still have a couple of hours before she was supposed to leave.
Me: Find out if Wrath knows. Stop the fuckin’ plane.
Shotgun: On that already, but they already left. They were ready early and there was a window for them to depart.
I was truly going to beat her ass when I got to Holly. Right there in front of God and everyone. Her daddy’d have to get over it.
Me: Get details. I’ll talk to Samson and see if he’ll get El Diablo to approve transport to her.
Shotgun: He will. What would you do if he didn’t?
Me: Steal something and go get her myself.
Shotgun: ?????????
Me: Smartass!
Cain, our boss at ExFil, didn’t spare any expense to keep us all safe. As a result, we all had a personal sat phone. It’s how I’d been able to contact Holly before, and now Shotgun. I debated my next move. Shotgun would contact Wrath. But if he heard this from someone other than me, he might think I would avoid coming to him with something to do with Holly.
“Fuck.” I swore as I pulled up Wrath’s number. It went to voicemail, so I tried again. He picked up on the third ring this time.
“What the fuck do you mean Holly’s run off to Columbia?” his voice roared through the phone and I winced. The Bluetooth was connected to the headset in my helmet, so there was no way to get away from a very pissed-off Wrath.
“Don’t yell, you bastard,” I growled. “I’m on my way back to headquarters.”
“Why didn’t you tell me the second you found out about this?”
“Because I found out about it ten minutes ago. The first five was spent loading my gear onto the transport, the next five texting Shotgun for information. You were my first actual call. Jesus!”
“Shotgun’s preparing you a flight plan. What do you need?”
That kinda threw me. “You’re sending me after her? Voluntarily?”
“Who the fuck else would I send after her? Are you saying you don’t want the job?”
“Oh, I was going whether or not you wanted me to. I just didn’t expect you to actually agree with me.”
“Dumbass. You’ve loved Holly since you first saw her when she was four. Only person who has as big a reason for needing her safe as Celeste and I do, is you.”
I took a couple of deep breaths before I spoke next. “To be clear, Wrath. I do love your daughter. The claim I already put out there still stands. I intend to make Holly my old lady.”
“Yeah? Then you might want to start calling her by her road name. No daughter of mine is gonna sit by passively while her man takes care of every little thing for her. Not unless that’s what she wants. And we both know Holly isn’t the shrinking violet type.”