Page 29 of Wicked and Ruthless

JasperThePrivateDick: No comment. LOL! But I’m relentless when I’m in pursuit. Once I sink my teeth into something juicy, I won’t let go until I’m fully satisfied. You’ll find I can be insatiably thorough.

RedHotSavvySleuth: My, my, Jasper. Is that silver tongue of yours making promises it can’t keep? I hope you can back up that bravado with actual skill.

Haisley might be fuzzy on just how skilled his tongue was, but he’d be more than happy to remind her.

JasperThePrivateDick: Hang around and find out.

RedHotSavvySleuth: You are smooth and every bit as tenacious as you claimed. I’ll give you that.

JasperThePrivateDick: Yep. The question is, can you keep up?

RedHotSavvySleuth: And you’re cocky, too. Obviously, you don’t know me. But trust me, I can keep pace without breaking a sweat. I love solving a good mystery. And I believe in justice.

That was such a Haisley answer. Good to know that, even if she was barely speaking to him, she hadn’t changed.

RedHotSavvySleuth: So tell me your angle. What about this particular case interests you?

JasperThePrivateDick: I’m a protector by nature. This kind of crap shouldn’t be happening. Women who want a new pair of shoes or whatever shouldn’t have to fear for their lives.

RedHotSavvySleuth: It sucks that more men don’t feel this way. But you didn’t answer my question. Why this case?

Nash grinned. Haisley was testing him, probing for ulterior motives. She was smart as hell, but he didn’t intend to give up until he won her over and she agreed to partner with him on solving these disappearances. Slowly, he’d coax her, then, at the right moment, he would reveal himself…

JasperThePrivateDick: Let’s just say I believe in justice, too.

RedHotSavvySleuth: You a cop? Or a PI, as your handle suggests?

JasperThePrivateDick: Neither. I hate red tape, and I hate criminals. I also have a healthy appreciation for a woman who isn’t afraid to dive in headfirst and get dirty for the right reasons. Since we have justice in common, I think we’ll make one hell of a team, Red. My skills complementing your local expertise? We'll have this case spread wide open in no time. What do you say?

As he hit Send, anticipation rippled through Nash. He was playing a dangerous game. But the thrill of the chase, the delicious tension already simmering between them, was intoxicating.

RedHotSavvySleuth: This case has piqued my curiosity, I’ll admit. Why haven’t I heard a peep about these disappearances? On the other hand, I never said I was looking for a partner.

JasperThePrivateDick: You never said you weren’t, either. C’mon…

RedHotSavvySleuth: I should probably have my head examined, but tell me how you propose we tackle this case together?

Nash fist-pumped the air. Haisley was slowly but surely taking his bait. He licked his lips and carefully contemplated his next move.

JasperThePrivateDick: How about we start with a little reconnaissance? I can dig through public records and see what I can uncover about these disappearances while you carefully see if anyone locally can shed some light. Then we’ll circle back together and come up with a working theory or two. It will be exciting.

And if we happen to find ourselves in need of a private debriefing along the way—with our clothes off—I can think of worse fates.

As he waited for Haisley’s response, Nash savored this delicious moment. The game was on, and he had no intention of backing down until Haisley was his again. He’d advance on multiple fronts until she waved her white flag and surrendered to him.

RedHotSavvySleuth: I’m probably crazy, but it’s a New Year. Why the hell not? Let’s do it!

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries wafted through the cozy Sunday brunch spot as Haisley settled into the plush booth.

Across from her, Charli looked as gorgeous as always—a tumble of rich, dark curls spilling over her shoulders, skin so perfect it would make an esthetician cry, and a body that owed its shapeliness to good genes and a faithful gym habit. Before Haisley had moved to Cali, Charli had been full of party, snark, and grab-life-by-the-throat fun. She barely recognized this version of her friend, subdued and almost painfully quiet.

It had been so long since they’d spent quality time together. Guilt filled Haisley for letting too many months slip past them. Naturally, she’d attended Charli’s Vegas wedding last year…but Haisley hadn’t seen much of her—or the rest of her girl posse—since. Thank god that, regardless of the miles or years that once separated them, their long-standing friendship made getting together feel as if almost no time had passed.

“Thanks for inviting me this morning. I was itching to get out of the house.” Charli smiled, but her hazel eyes dimmed with a troubling sadness. “I know the circumstances that brought you home aren’t ideal, but I’m glad you’re back for good.”

“Thanks. Losing Aunt Cynthia shocked me. She’d been sick for a while, from what I understand. Not that she ever told me.”

“You two were never close.”

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