Defending Harlow (Mountain Mercenaries #4)(45)

“We need to talk to Loretta to see if she’s received any offers, and from whom. Then we need to figure out who already owns the other buildings and track down what plans they’ve made for them, if any. Talk to the city and see if any permits have been applied for yet,” Ro said, warming to the topic.

“I have a feeling we’ve wasted a shitload of time on the exes,” Black said in frustration.

“Yeah, well, I’ve been doing the best I can,” Meat said a little belligerently. “Rex has basically checked out and hasn’t been much help. Meanwhile, I’ve been trying to dig as deep as I can into everyone.”

“No one is blaming you,” Arrow told him. “If anything, we should’ve thought about the building being the reason behind all the harassments way before now.”

“This is gonna take a while,” Meat muttered as he began clicking on his tablet. “And I’m going to need my computer. I can’t do shit on this thing.”

Sensing the meeting was about to break up, Black said, “I have a question for you guys.”

When everyone gave him their attention, he asked, “I thought it might be a good distraction for Harlow, and anyone else from the shelter who wants to come, if we did one of those breakout-room things. You know, where you have to solve puzzles to get the combination to get out of the room? I was wondering if you guys would come too. And Gray, Ro, and Arrow, maybe see if your women wanted to join us?”

“Sounds fun,” Ball said.

“I’m in,” Arrow said.

“Breakout rooms?” Ro asked.

“We’ll explain them to you later,” Gray told their British-born friend. “When were you thinking, Black?”

“Soon. I think everyone could use the break,” Black said.

“How about a few days from now? Maybe Thursday night?” Meat asked as he looked at his tablet. “Since it’s not a weekend, there are spaces left for the one downtown.”

“What time?”

“Seven,” Meat said.

“Good, that’ll give Harlow time to feed everyone before we have to leave. Make the reservation for twenty. I know some of the women work, so they won’t be able to come, and some just won’t want to, but that will cover us. Someone will need to stay back at the shelter, though.”

“I’ll stay,” Meat volunteered. “Those rooms are too easy for me.”

Black rolled his eyes, but it was Gray who said, “Whatever, dude. You just can’t go an hour without your electronics.”

“True,” Meat agreed easily. “Done. Reservation made. Black, I charged your credit card.”

Black didn’t even blink. He didn’t give a shit about the money. He had plenty. Between being single, a Navy SEAL, what he earned at his gun range, and what Rex paid him, he was set for life.

“You want to work out a schedule for watching the shelter?” Ro asked.

“I’ll put together a preliminary one, and you guys can let me know what works and what doesn’t. Gray, I know you need to work around Allye’s dance schedule, and Ro, you and Arrow can let me know if Chloe or Morgan have anything going on that you can’t miss.”

“Damn, you’re like a regular mommy, putting together our weekly extracurricular calendar,” Ball teased.

“Fuck yeah, I am,” Meat said, not perturbed in the least.

Black pushed back his chair. “Harlow has mornings off since Zoe will be gone for almost two weeks. I’ll be at the range early if you need me.”

“You want one of us to escort her inside when she gets there tomorrow?” Gray asked, knowing that Black had been watching over the pretty chef.

“Thanks, but no. I got it.” Black knew his friends were curious as to what was going on between him and Harlow, but he didn’t want to deal with their shit. Gray, Ro, and Arrow would get all mushy and tell him that love conquered all, and Ball and Meat would simply be glad he was getting some.

Whatever was going on with Harlow was between the two of them, and no one else. “Later,” he said as he pushed to his feet and headed for the exit.

He gave a chin lift to Noah, who was working behind the bar, and shot off a text to Harlow as he made his way to his car.

Lowell: Just checking in.

It took only seconds for the three little dots on the bottom of the screen to show up, indicating she was responding. He liked that she didn’t make him wait to hear from her. The only time he never got an immediate response was when she was cooking.

Harlow: All’s good here. You?

Lowell: Same. Text me when you leave your place tomorrow, and I’ll meet you. Do NOT leave your car before I get there.

Harlow: Has anyone told you that you’re bossy?

Lowell: Yes.

Harlow: I see it had no effect.

He couldn’t help but smile at that.

Lowell: See you tomorrow. Try to get some sleep.

Harlow: Easier said than done.

Lowell: You still having nightmares?

Harlow: Not so much.

He knew she was lying, and frustration hit that he couldn’t do anything about it. Of course, a nice, long orgasm would do wonders for helping her body shut down, but he didn’t think she’d appreciate him suggesting that. God, he had to pull himself together and stop thinking about getting Harlow into bed. As if that was possible.