Roped In (Armed & Dangerous, #2)(36)

She smacked me on the thigh. “Just because you’re famous doesn’t make you a good person. I like you for who you are. I don’t need someone who’s famous or rich to be by my side.”

“Then what do you need?”

Her gaze met mine and she smiled. “You.”

I leaned over and kissed her lips, burying her into the couch. She spread her legs and wrapped them around my waist. “Are you sure I’ll be enough?” I asked, pushing into her.

She snickered and rocked her hips. “Definitely.”

I went to pull her shorts down, but the remote was under her and the TV volume grew steadily louder. “Hold on,” I said, searching for it underneath her body. Finding it, I was about to turn the TV off, when I looked at the screen.

“What is it?” Hadley asked.

Her head turned to the TV and she froze the second her name came over the news. “Apparently, the driver is the suspect they’ve been looking for in the shooting at Hadley Rivers’ home, where her bodyguard and boyfriend were both shot. There has been no word on where Hadley is at the moment, but it is believed she’s in protective custody as the police have been searching for the suspect. We’ll continue to show you live coverage as the pursuit unfolds.”

“Holy shit.” I grabbed Hadley’s hand and helped her up.

She cupped a hand over her mouth. “What the hell is Dane doing? There’s no way he can escape from that many police cars.”

“He must be desperate.” A sickening feeling sank in my gut. High speed chases rarely ended well. I grabbed my phone off the coffee table and dialed Robert’s number.

“Evans,” he answered.

“What’s going on?” I barked.

Robert blew out a frustrated sigh. “We found the crack house where Dane’s been staying. When the NYPD busted in, he jumped out the window and drove away. He’s clearly high as a f*cking kite. If he hurts anyone during this pursuit, I’m going to kill him.”

“Jesus Christ. Call me when you know more.” I hung up and filled Hadley in.

“How long do you think this will go on?” she asked.

I shook my head. “Don’t know. I just hope he doesn’t kill anyone.”

The pursuit lasted for another thirty minutes and ended with Dane running his car head first into a semi-truck. I knew without a doubt the f*cker was dead. My phone rang but I kept my eyes on the TV when I answered. I already knew who it was going to be. “Robert.”

“I’m assuming you know why I’m calling?”

I closed my eyes. “He’s dead.”

“Yes. Good news is, once we get everything handled, it’ll be time for Hadley to go home. I know that’ll make you happy. I’ll call her father and get her out of your hair. He’ll be ecstatic to see her.”

“Nah, that’s not necessary. I’ll do it. Just give me a couple of days.” I set my phone down and looked at Hadley. “Dane’s dead. You’ll be able to go home soon.”

She shook her head. “I’m not going anywhere. The last thing I want is to deal with the press when all of this is going down. I just need a couple of weeks.”

“You know your agent isn’t going to like this. Everyone’s going to want you back.”

“I don’t care. If you want me to go, I will, but I’m not ready to leave yet. I need a little more time. Everyone will just have to understand.”

I pulled her into my arms and breathed a sigh of relief. I wasn’t ready for her to go either.





Blake

“You’re going home today, girl.” I rubbed Snowflake’s muzzle. She huffed and bumped me with her nose. She wasn’t the only one I was losing. Hadley’s two weeks were up and first thing in the morning, she’d be on her way back to California. I didn’t think it’d be so hard to let her go.

Grabbing the brush, I slid it down Snowflake’s body so her coat would shine. It was a special day for Josie and I wanted it all to be perfect for her.

My phone rang and when I set down the brush, Snowflake snorted. She loved it when I brushed her. “Give me one second,” I told her. I looked at the phone and smiled. “Well, I’ll be damned,” I said, answering the phone.

“Have you missed me?” Mason joked. Mason Bradley was the leader of our undercover group and an MMA legend. Not only was he a heavyweight UFC Champion, but he had solved one of the most heinous crimes in the sport.

Chuckling, I leaned against the wall. “You’re damn right, I have. What ya been up to?”

“Nothing much, just taking a break. I heard you were watching the Rivers girl. That must be a pain in the ass. Don’t people know you’re not a bodyguard?”

“I don’t think they got that memo. Besides, it hasn’t been too bad; she leaves tomorrow. What can I do for you?” I asked.

“I have a job for you. Well, for me and you. It looks like I called at the right time.”

“What’s going on?”

“There’s a situation out in Texas, where a couple of girls were found dead in a barn. The owner of the property is an elderly man in his nineties. I think his ranch hand is the one who did it, but no one can find him. I could really use your knowledge on this one.”

I glanced at the house where my bedroom light glowed through the blinds; Hadley was awake. “When do you need me?”