Changing the Rules (Richter Book 1)(56)

Suddenly Cooper’s mind shot right there and that was all it took to have him shifting his hips in his seat and adjusting his jeans. “Are we going to talk dirty?”

“Not with Isaac listening.”

With that image, the heat he’d started feeling had ice cubes raining down. “Probably a good call.”

“Yeah.”

“My mind didn’t wander off of you all day.”

“We’re in the same boat.”

He knew she wasn’t going to be as verbal as she’d been in the past. Not with their colleagues listening. “I always knew kissing you was going to be spectacular, but my imagination didn’t come close to the reality.” He heard her breathing into the phone. Some of that warmth started to return to his bloodstream.

“It made me want to do it again . . . soon.”

“Things are starting to turn in the case. I’m more than motivated to find a resolution.”

“You’re not even the one running five miles a day.”

“Running off the frustration created by not being able to even look at you the way I want to might be a good idea.”

“Well, okay, Coach. Maybe on Monday, instead of watching, you put on your running shoes and join us.”

“Maybe I’ll do that.” Not gonna happen.

“Dare ya.”

He moaned. “That’s not fair.” She knew he didn’t duck and weave a dare.

“You think about that. I told Sasha I wouldn’t be long. I’d like to get a decent night’s sleep. Help make up for the tossing and turning I’ve been doing.”

He liked to think he was the cause. “Spreche mit dir morgen.”

“Talk to you tomorrow,” she repeated in English. “Gute Nacht.”

Cooper disconnected the call and stared at his phone. Three years out of the six he spent overseas learning a new language was paying off.



“Bring a backpack and skip the makeup. I told my aunt you broke up with your boyfriend and we were going to spend the weekend dissing guys and making plans for our summer.” Claire stood outside the decoy condo in full view and earshot of Eastman’s surveillance.

Jax was on the other end of the line. “I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

“We’ll have a good time.” Claire lowered her voice. “Any word on where the party is yet?” They were both watching Instagram for the Bat Signal. Between Ally’s feed and Sean’s, they should have something within the hour.

“No.”

“Soon as my aunt leaves, we’ll get ready to bounce.” Claire ignored the camera in the shrubs and walked back in the front door.

Sasha was decked out in her flight attendant uniform and had a suitcase at her feet.

Once Claire was out of range of Eastman hearing her, she addressed the team through her com link. “Anything on Eastman?”

Isaac reported back. “He stopped eating his microwave dinner and looks like he’s preparing to leave his house.”

Claire and Sasha looked to each other and smiled.

By the time Jax showed up at the front door, Eastman was parked up the street and huddled in his car.

“AJ is in position to follow Eastman. Sasha, you’re clear to vacate.” Neil spoke through their earpieces.

Jax had already moved to the single bathroom to change clothes and get party ready.

Claire stayed out of sight when Sasha left the condo, her eye on Instagram.

Outside, the sky had darkened, and the smell of rain sat ripe in the air.

Eastman didn’t move.

All they waited on was the party details.

“Anything yet?” Neil asked twenty minutes later.

“Nothing,” Claire reported.

Jax was texting Ally.

Claire was starting to think the party was a bust.

A ping on her phone had her looking at a direct message from Sean.

“Got it.” Claire rattled off the address, and Jax looked it up on a map.

“Doesn’t look residential.”

“It’s not,” Neil told them. “We’re en route.”

“Right behind you.”

Wearing skintight black leggings, a tiny halter, and a matching leather jacket, Claire slid on her ankle boots and grabbed the car keys.

Jax wore ripped black jeans and a sparkly gold sweater off the shoulder. The choker on her neck had a camera.

Claire would depend on her cell phone.

Together they pulled out of the driveway and headed toward the party.

“Eastman is three cars behind,” AJ said from the back of the line.

Claire kept an eye on her rearview mirror while Jax gave directions.

Her cell phone rang right before they were getting on the freeway.

Elsie’s name popped up on the screen.

“Hey, girl.”

“Did you get the information about the party?”

“Yeah, Jax and I are headed there now.”

“Can you swing by and pick me up?” Elsie asked.

“I thought Kyle was taking you.”

“He’s being a dick. Doesn’t want to go.”

Without any objection from the team, Claire consented.

“Okay. I’ll be at your place in ten minutes.” Claire moved into the left lane to make a U-turn.