Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 58962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
I gasped and sat up straight, almost headbutting Roy in the chin. I pushed off his lap and began to pace. “Do you think Eugene’s injuries were intentional? That Lazano found out and was trying to kill him?”
Mark shook his head. “No. I think it really was an accident. An unfortunate one, obviously, for Eugene, but also for our investigation. We’d seen the dealers making what looked like cash drops at Burke’s Bowling alleys around the city, we just needed to tie the money to Lazano.”
“Then Eugene got hurt, and you lost your chance,” Roy filled in.
Mark looked at me and nodded. “Yes. We’ve been playing the long game with Lazano trying to get evidence to stick. When you ran out of the meeting yesterday, you compromised the bowling alley as the pass-through.”
My brain tried to wrap itself around what he was saying. “Meaning he probably won’t use them any longer.”
Mark sighed. “Correct and our whole investigation is compromised. We need that evidence to arrest him and bring him down for good. Is there any way you can get me copies of the paperwork you had them sign and the details of that wire transfer?”
I shook my head. “No. What they signed were paper copies not digitized. I would’ve digitized them Monday at the office, but I left everything. The bank record of the wire transfer would be online, but I don’t have access.”
“Brooke,” Mark said, “we’re going to need your help.”
18
ROY
* * *
“No,” I snapped.
Nothing good happened when the DEA needed your help. Especially when it was my mate who was needed…
“Roy!” Brooke sent me a surprised look, even setting her hands on her hips.
“The answer is no,” I replied, slicing my hand through the air. “You’ve been shot at. Twice.”
Mark must already understand Brooke was my mate by how protective I was of her. He wasn’t an idiot. Especially since I pulled her onto my fucking lap. He could also tell she was unmarked. And human. What he didn’t know was if I’d told her about me being a shifter yet or not. I had to hope that he wouldn’t say anything before I had time to explain it all to her. I didn’t want her to run from me, especially with someone still out to kill her. And now knowing the DEA was investigating the man who was trying to kill my mate made it even worse.
I popped to my feet, so I loomed over Mark. “She’s not wearing a wire for you. No way. She’s not going anywhere near those guys again.”
Mark spoke as if I hadn’t piped up, calm as a fucking cucumber.
He ignored me and looked at Brooke. “I’m not asking you to wear a wire or get anywhere near Lazano. We just need the records of the money transfer. You know it went through and to where. You can get the digital proof we need.”
“What about the bowling guy? What about him?” I asked.
Mark’s jaw clenched and flicked a glance toward Brooke. “He was found dead this morning. That’s why I’m here. That’s why I’m asking for Brooke’s help.”
Brooke gasped. I could tell he wasn’t saying more because my mate didn’t need to hear it.
“Even more reason for her not to get involved,” I snapped.
“I… I don’t have the account numbers memorized, and I don’t have the laptop or anything else. I ran out without any of it,” she explained, wringing her hands.
“But you could go into your office and get it, right?” Mark asked. “We need that evidence to bring down Lazano.”
“Lazano’s guys are out there hunting her,” I snapped, as if he needed a reminder. “She can’t just show up at work Monday morning and hand over paperwork.”
Mark met my sharp gaze with one of his own. “I stepped in to sort out the bodies you left at her place. I’m not asking for a whole lot in return. I just need the evidence that will put this guy away for good. This investigation has been going on for over a year. Brooke could get the nail for Lazano’s fucking coffin.”
I growled but tried not to make it too obvious.
Mark pushed on. “Obviously, that’s in the best interest for your ma–for Brooke. She has access. She knows how to get what we need. I’d appreciate your assistance in doing that the right way. As an employee, she has the legal right to go into the firm’s computers. The DEA doesn’t.”
The right way. Did he mean the legal way? The human way? I saved my mate! Not once but twice, and now he wanted me to deal with the guy who wanted my mate dead… the right way?
Why didn’t Mark just rip the man’s fucking head off?
I gritted my teeth and tried to stifle another growl.
“I’ll do it,” Brooke piped up.
I spun to face my mate. “Hang on, sugar. You ran from them once, we don’t need you to get mixed up again.”