Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
I rushed back over to the window and let it fall behind the bushes with the letters. I was just about to close the window when gunshots rang out.
Two of them, in quick succession.
The sound sent ice through my veins. My throat went dry, and every instinct screamed at me to run, but my legs wouldn’t move. I was frozen, trapped in my dad’s office with no idea what was going on.
My hands were shaking as I eased the office door open and stepped into the hallway. I was terrified, but I forced myself forward, gripping the edge of the doorframe as I peered into the living room.
My stomach dropped when I saw Detective Joyner sprawled on the floor. His phone was still clutched in his hand, and blood was pooling beneath him. I was about to dart back into the office when I saw him—a man dressed in all black standing across the room, and he had his gun pointed directly at my head.
Damn.
I’d really done it now.
17
SEVEN
“She’s in,” Shephard’s voice crackled through the SUV’s speakers. “Just past security.”
“Good.” He was back at the clubhouse, watching the security feeds he’d tapped into the night before, and he could see her every move. “Any issues?”
“Not that I can see. They just got on the elevator.”
I exhaled slowly, rolling my shoulders. “How does she look?”
“She’s steady.” A pause. “Focused.”
That was Tallie. She had a fire in her. It burned low and steady—a quiet determination that even her father couldn’t smother. But I knew her well enough to know that her nerves were right there on the surface, reminding her that things could take a turn at any second.
“They just made it to the office. He’s taking the tape off now.”
“Anyone else on the floor?”
“Just a security guard and some guy working in a corner office.”
I stared up at the row of windows that stretched across the second floor. One of them belonged to Tallie’s father, and at that moment, she was up there with Detective Joyner, searching for the code. I knew he was a cop and should’ve been more than capable of keeping her safe, but I hated that I couldn’t be with her.
Grim sat next to me in the passenger seat, and he was drumming his fingers against his thigh in a slow, steady rhythm. Like typical Grim, he was solid and unshaken. He wasn't much for talking, but he didn't need to be. He was there to step in if things went sideways.
“Tallie just went in. Joyner is standing at the door watching.”
“Can you see what she’s doing?”
“No actual cameras in the office. Client privilege and all that.”
“Damn.” I clenched my jaw. “I don’t like this.”
“She’s good. No one on the floor is moving.”
Another long, agonizing pause.
“Hey!” There was no missing the excitement in Shep’s voice when he announced, “She just got the drive put in.”
“That’s great. You gonna be able to access the computer now?”
“Should be. I’ll check as soon as she gets out of there.”
The streets were starting to get busy with morning traffic, and it had me on edge. It was a reminder of how little control I had over how this all played out. While I was pleased that she’d gotten the drive put in, I was ready for this thing to be done.
A few more minutes passed, and then Shep announced, “Alright, they’re headed for the door.”
“She got anything with her?”
“Not that I can tell. Just got on the elevator.”
I held my breath until I heard him say, “Okay. They’re out and coming your way.”
“Good deal. Appreciate your help, brother.”
“That’s what I’m here for. I’ll see you when you get back to the clubhouse.”
“Sure thing.”
My attention was all on Tallie as I ended the call. I watched her walk over to her car and open the door. Even from across the lot, I could see the tension in her shoulders. The weight of the day had taken its toll. She wasn’t used to this kind of shit—sneaking around and searching for codes like she was one of us.
But she’d done it, and she’d done it well.
She started her car, and Detective Joyner followed as she started out of the parking lot. I quickly pulled out behind them. I was no longer worried about being seen, so I stayed pretty close. Tallie weaved through the traffic like she had somewhere to be. I had no problem keeping up until a fucking semi pulled out in front of me, blocking my view.
In a blink, the streets seemed to implode, and cars were clogging up every damn lane. A red light caught me, and Tallie and the detective slipped through.
“Shit,” I muttered, gripping the wheel.
I grabbed my phone and dialed her number, but after one ring, it went straight to voicemail. By the time I made it through the next break in traffic, she was gone. I checked every lane, but there was no sign of her or Detective Joyner.