Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 58752 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 294(@200wpm)___ 235(@250wpm)___ 196(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58752 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 294(@200wpm)___ 235(@250wpm)___ 196(@300wpm)
Gavin’s hand pressed against my back, pulling me from my dark thoughts. “She shut the system down before the worst could happen.”
Dad nodded. “I know how capable she is. I’m worried other people won’t.”
“People are often wrong.” Gavin moved to my side to look down at me. “Doesn’t make this your fault.”
His certainty hit differently than my dad’s. Gavin barely knew me, but he’d backed me up ever since things went horribly awry. And he knew better than anyone else what had gone down here tonight. Being so close to the blast, he had been close enough to see the failure happen. His quick thinking had prevented the worst-case scenario. And he trusted me after seeing how I’d handled this crisis.
It defied logic that he was so certain of me after only a few hours, but I had a feeling the lack of time didn’t factor into it for him. Gavin struck me as a man who didn’t second-guess himself.
As my father extended his hand and introduced himself to Gavin, Stryker cut across the grass toward us. His expression was blank, but there was a coldness in his eyes that I saw when he got closer.
“Just heard back from the men I sent to the warehouse. It’s been hit.”
“Warehouse?” My dad’s brows drew together. “You mean ours?”
“Yes,” Stryker confirmed. “Loading bay was forced open. Looks like controlled-material cases are missing. Must’ve heard my men coming because some were dumped by the rear access like they ran out of time. Fresh tracks leaving the property.”
Mom pressed trembling fingers to her lips while Dad raked his fingers through his hair and muttered, “Event this big, the place was emptied out.”
“We pulled anyone with experience.” I tilted my head back to meet Gavin’s gaze. “We had our hands full here.”
“They used that window of opportunity to get in.” The look he gave his club president was heavy.
My stomach knotted at what that could mean. Someone had known enough about Bellamy Pyrotechnics to pinpoint the perfect time to steal from us.
Stryker crossed his arms over his chest. “But we slammed that fucker shut when we showed up when they didn’t expect it.”
Gavin nodded. “And they only got part of what had been prepared for removal.”
“Whatever they took is too damn much,” Dad grumbled.
Considering what we stored in that warehouse, that was an understatement.
“Situation is under control here.” Stryker tilted his head toward a group of Black Crowns waiting to our left. “Need to head over there now.”
The Black Crowns’ arrival was the only reason they had not cleaned the place out. We owed them a debt of gratitude, but that didn’t mean I was just going to sit idly by while they handled everything. Even if I hadn’t grown up knowing the company would be mine one day, I’d be invested in this because my name was all over the paperwork of the event that the thieves had used.
“I’m going.”
I was gearing up for an argument when Gavin murmured, “We will.”
“Good.” I flashed him a smile that quickly died at his next words.
“After I clear it.”
My eyes narrowed. “I need to tell you what belongs there.”
“You will.” He smirked. “Eventually.”
Equally irritated at his reply and how much his smile affected me, I huffed out a breath. “You’re doing that unreasonable thing again.”
“I never stopped, pretty girl.”
My mother made a small sound that might have been a swallowed laugh, but I refused to look at either of my parents while my cheeks were burning. They let me get away with my avoidance until we got in the car.
There were motorcycles in front, behind, and on either side of us. But with the windows rolled up, none of the Black Crowns could hear our conversation, and my mom took advantage of that.
Twisting in the passenger seat, she grinned at me. “Did I detect some sparks flying between you and Ghost?”
“Really, Mom?” I shook my head with a sigh. “We’re in the middle of a scary situation, and you want to talk about my dating life?”
“Aha, so you admit you’re interested in him,” she crowed.
I shook my head. “I did no such thing.”
“The lady doth protest too much,” Dad teased, tightening his grip on the wheel as he carefully made a right turn.
I slouched in my seat and rolled my eyes. “I honestly don’t know what to do with you guys.”
“Just love us.” Mom turned back around and patted my dad’s thigh. “Because we’re awesome.”
“Very much so,” he agreed.
“And so is our daughter.” Mom did a little dance in her seat. “Which Ghost definitely noticed.”
“He must’ve since he called you ‘pretty girl’ right in front of me.” Dad met my gaze in the rearview mirror. “Bold of him, but I’m not surprised, considering he’s a Black Crown.”
“Just as I was starting to think our baby girl would never meet someone who’d catch her eye…”