Page 88 of Exposed

King claims my hand. “That’s not true. In fact, I was informed today that we’re expected to be at Tim’s house this weekend.”

I turn to him. “If Tim is so worried about someone following you, why is he inviting us to his house?”

“No one is going to follow us. I’ll make sure of that, and Tim knows it. If I don’t go, I’ll never live it down, and I’m not leaving you alone. I’m sure Brax and Micah will probably be there with their families. They always are.”

I gape. “I’m meeting entire families?”

“For someone who had no trouble handling yourself with Dex Carter on the phone today, why are you so worried?”

“I’m not worried. I’m emotionally taxed. That’s different. We’re on our way to your house. Your house, King, where your sister and niece are.”

He pulls my hand to his lips where he kisses my knuckles. “I figured why not. I had dinner with your brother last night. It’s sibling week.”

I yank my hand away from him and give him a playful slap on the shoulder. “Stop. That’s not the same, and you know it.”

“An eye for an eye.” He throws me a smirk. “Laken is a good cook. Trippy made us take turns in the kitchen and was bossy in the process. The difference between her and me is Lake chooses to hone her skills, and I don’t give a shit. I can make my way around a kitchen, but I’m not gourmet.”

“You can certainly make your way around the grocery store. I don’t know who’s going to eat all the food you bought.”

“Since I can’t leave you alone at your apartment yet, I need real food.”

“Eggs are real food,” I said.

“Correction. I need more food.”

I drank another cup of coffee as Tim yelled at King. At least that’s what Micah said was going on. I made myself at home at King’s desk and used the time to grill Brax and Micah about what would happen next.

Much to my disappointment, neither of them seemed to be in a hurry, and the common answer was…

We wait.

Wait on phone calls.

Wait to see who comes and goes from The Pink.

Wait on deposits or withdrawals from the very bank accounts with my name on them.

Wait.

Wait.

And wait some more.

Disappointment must have seeped from my pores, because Brax explained to me that his career-making case lasted two years.

Two years!

I do not have that kind of time.

When I told them so, Brax smiled like he felt sorry for me.

Micah rolled his eyes.

When King returned, my patience was teetering on the edge of no return. I was practicing my rant that I might be overwhelmed, but I don’t need to be treated with kid gloves. That’s when he presented me with an envelope. A fat one.

Money.

Payment for the information I provided the government about the Carter Cartel.

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