Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 125248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 626(@200wpm)___ 501(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 626(@200wpm)___ 501(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Ruxs and Day laughed.
“At least let’s do the Walk of Fame,” Free damn near whined, refusing to surrender. “It says it’s a must-experience attraction.”
“What we’re gonna experience is being pickpocketed,” Tech said. “And once our wallets are gone, how are we gonna afford the overpriced souvenirs?”
“Come on, guys.” Free lowered the pamphlet and looked around at them in disbelief. “Then what the hell are we gonna do?”
“Our fuckin’ jobs,” God said without lifting his head. “I don’t think Wes and Law intended to fund the six of us a vacation. We have shit to do.”
Free made a face. “We gotta do something fun. How often do we get to go to the West Coast and get a break from all the sickos in Atlanta?”
Day lifted a brow. “I know, right? Because there’s no sickos in Hollywood.”
Free turned desperate eyes on Tech. “Techy, please. I don’t wanna go alone.”
“Then take Ruxs.”
Free recoiled as if Tech had just suggested he hump the airport floor. “Hell no. I wanna have fun, not get arrested.”
He glanced back at Ruxs and winced. “No offense.”
Ruxs raised his middle finger.
Tech adjusted the cuff of his fancy jacket.
“Free, all I wanna do is eat a burrito that’s gonna change my taste buds forever and take advantage of the hotel spa and heated pool. The rest of the time I plan on hanging out on a real movie set, watching next summer’s blockbuster get made, and playing in Wes and Law’s lab.” Tech stared dreamily. “And if I see Michael B. Jordan or any of the actors from Bridgerton, I’ll consider the trip a success.”
“Day, God, will you go with…”
“Don’t even finish that sentence, Free,” God rumbled.
“I miss Syn and Furi already.” Free rolled his eyes. “If Furi was here he’d go with me.”
“I know. Going on an operation without Syn just feels wrong,” Day said.
“It was his decision to stay,” God murmured. “Furi couldn’t just close his bike shop for an undetermined amount of time, and Syn’s been helping him out there during the day, so…”
“Fine then. I’ll go myself.” Free crumpled the brochure into a sad ball and stuffed it into his bag.
Ruxs watched Tech out of the corner of his eye, already knowing how this would go.
3, 2, 1—
“Okay, Freebaby.” Tech sighed. “After we fix Wes and Law’s issue, I’ll go on two of the things from your list. That’s it.”
Free lit up so fast it was embarrassing. He wrapped his arms around Tech from behind and kissed him again. He stayed draped over him as the line crept forward by another torturous half-step.
Ruxs shook his head.
Free had Tech wrapped around his little finger so tight it was a miracle he could still breathe. One sad pout, one hint of disappointment, and Tech folded like a cheap lawn chair.
“God. We’ve taken down gang members, drug lords, and entire cartels. I think we can handle an amateur stalker,” Ruxs said.
God finally looked up. “It’s not just one stalker. Wes said they want us providing protection at some of his friend’s bigger events, and to help overhaul the studio’s security force, which has been dropping the ball big-time.”
“We’re not bodyguards, Cash,” Day murmured.
“Can this line go any slower? What the hell are they doing up there, asking folks to remember their Google password to get through?” Ruxs growled.
They all ignored him.
Free was still beaming and attached to Tech.
“No, we’re not bodyguards, Day, but you do have years of experience protecting key witnesses. You’ve trained with SWAT your whole career. You can spot a hostile from a mile away.” Free pointed at Tech’s tablet. “And we can upgrade their systems. So, there’s a lot we can offer.”
Tech tapped his screen and cleared his throat, slipping into his favorite mode. Information. “I did some digging, but I’m sure most of you have heard the name Xander Vale.”
“Mm-hm,” Day said. “But give me something besides a stage name.”
Tech nodded. “Government name is Lane Xander Cross. Twenty-six years old. Adopted by Cheryl and Robert Cross, both pretty big movie producers. Xander started with commercials, then had a few appearances as a kid on some sitcoms.”
Day waved is hand in a circle as if saying, ‘move it along’.
Tech bit his bottom lip and scrolled faster.
“Okay, okay. He’s been in some decent stuff, where he started getting more recognition. But What Breaks in Silence is his first gay role. He played a closeted champion bull rider. Then after the release of the film, he came out publicly as a gay man.”
“Yeah, even I saw that one, it was pretty good,” Ruxs said. “And he looked sexy as hell in those chaps.”
Free reached over Tech’s shoulder, swiping his tablet and reading.
“Well the movie soared to the top. Like Academy-nominated top. It made him go from star to superstar. He and his film are beating out some really big names this awards season.” He looked at God. “Which is a big deal because he’d be in the small group of openly gay men who’ve won an Academy Crown award or swept the best actor’s categories in everything from the Screen Guild Awards, Critics Circle Awards, Emblem Awards, Public Choice Awards, even the Britannia Film Honors Awards.”