Hard to Handle (Caine Cousins #2)(64)

“Tell him to hold off for now. I’ll see what I can do, but have your guys check in with me if they see anything suspicious.”

“Will do,” RT said, then disconnected.

“What’s wrong?” Wolfe asked when Rhys tucked his phone away.

He sighed. “They lost sight of Kelly.”

Wolfe’s eyebrows slowly lifted as he stood to his full height. “Looks like it’s time to get this shit done with.”

Rhys shook his head. “Don’t you dare go renegade on me, cowboy.” The mere thought of having to lock Wolfe up for doing something stupid made his gut twist.

“I’m keepin’ her safe. No matter the cost.”

Exhaling heavily, Rhys moved toward the door. “Don’t do nothin’ stupid, Wolfe. I’ll let you know what I know. For the time bein’, I think you should keep her here.”

Wolfe nodded.

At least they were in agreement on that front.

For now.





27


__________


Every small town in Texas seemed to have a Dairy Queen, and Embers Ridge was no different. It wasn’t a classy place by any means, but the food was good and the people were friendly, so Lynx was happy when Reagan agreed that it sounded better than the diner. Not that he was all that picky about where he ate, but this was something different.

Plus, it was fast.

Which, ultimately, had been his reason for suggesting it. The sooner they ate, the faster he could get her … somewhere.

“Did you even taste that burger before you inhaled it?” Reagan asked, staring at him from across the table.

Lynx grinned, then stole a couple of her French fries. “Yeah.”

“How do you eat so fast?”

“I’m efficient.”

Getting up from his seat, Lynx shifted over to Reagan’s side of the booth, forcing her to move over toward the wall.

“What’re you doin’?” she asked, suspicion lacing her words.

Lynx put his arm around her shoulder while she continued to hold her burger in her hands.

Leaning in, he placed his mouth close to her ear. “I’m gonna tell you all the dirty things I have in store for you later.” He felt the shudder that ran through her. “Maybe then you’ll eat faster.”

Reagan chuckled.

“First, I’m gonna strip your clothes off,” he told her, nipping her earlobe gently.

“Lynx,” she whispered.

“Yep, I’m gonna be makin’ you scream my name when I slide my tongue into your warm, wet pussy, then I’m gonna—”

Before he could continue, Reagan’s hand landed on his mouth. Her eyes were wide, her cheeks flushed.

“I’m finished,” she said quickly.

Lynx glanced down at her half-eaten burger. “No, you’re not.”

“Oh, trust me. I am.”

“What the fuck?”

Lynx’s head jerked over, his gaze coming to land on Billy Watson standing beside their table.

Son of a bitch.

Rather than get to his feet and confront the asshole, Lynx remained where he was, his body tensing, muscles gearing up for a fight.

To his surprise, Reagan continued eating as though there was nothing out of the ordinary here. No asshole ex-boyfriend standing there, glaring at them.

“What’re you doin’ with this dickhead?” Billy asked, his eyes imploring Reagan.

She didn’t answer.

“This is bullshit,” Billy grumbled. “He’s fuckin’ married, Reagan.”

To give the guy a little credit, at least he hadn’t verbally attacked Reagan at this point. That was possibly a first.

“Actually,” Reagan began, wiping her mouth and reaching for her drink, “the divorce is final.”

Yep, as of yesterday, he was a free man. Hence the reason he’d spent the majority of yesterday in bed with Reagan. They had agreed to hold off until the divorce was final, and for the most part, he’d held up his end of the deal except for that one little slipup at the warehouse. But most importantly, Lynx was happy that it was no longer an issue between them.

“Is that right?” Billy smirked, his gaze coming to rest on Lynx. “So that means I can go back to fuckin’ Tammy and she don’t have to get all freaked out afterwards?”

“Have at it, son,” Lynx stated, meeting Billy’s stare.

The smirk fell from the guy’s face. He’d obviously expected to get a rise out of Lynx. It wouldn’t work. Not when it came to his ex. Now, if he went after Reagan, that was an entirely different story.

“Y’all are made for each other, Billy,” Reagan said, a hint of anger in her voice. “And good luck with makin’ that one last.”

It didn’t surprise Lynx one bit that Billy had been fucking Tammy. And vice versa. Nor did it bother him in the least.

“Fuckin’ bitch,” Billy grumbled beneath his breath.

Lynx was on his feet in the span of a single heartbeat, coming toe-to-toe with Billy. He glared down at him. “I’ll put up with a lotta shit, but you will not talk to Reagan like that. Not now, not ever. Are we clear?”

“So defensive,” Billy retorted, a gleam of amusement in his eyes.

“You’re damn right I am,” he confirmed, keeping his voice low, his tone serious. “So from here on out, you keep your fuckin’ mouth shut where she’s concerned and we won’t have any problems. Otherwise…” Lynx knew he didn’t need to finish that sentence.