Page 14 of Shadow and Skulls

This makes him chuckle. “I was going to say are too crude.”

I tip my head back and forth. “Touché.”

He laughs louder.

“I’ve found something here,” I tell him.

His laughter cuts off abruptly. “A woman.”

“The woman.”

“I see. Well, when you convince her to give you the time of day, please bring her home. You know Danielle and I will be very excited to meet the female who gives you your balls back.”

I chuckle at his dig. “I’ll definitely bring her for a visit, but I won’t be coming back to stay. My place is here.”

“So, you’re serious about this woman.”

“As a heart attack.”

“What about your shop?”

“What about it?”

“Tank.”

“This girl needs to be here. I can’t take her away.”

This silences him. “So, the favors Liam’s been pulling for you …” His words drift off.

Liam is Anthony’s partner. He used to work for the FBI. Shit, I guess they were going to figure it out eventually. I’m not going to lie to the man. I have too much respect for him.

“I needed to know everything about her,” I answer honestly.

“Tank.” The rumble of my engine cuts him off and makes him sigh loudly into the receiver.

“I’ll let you guys know if I need anything else.”

“It’s not ethical.”

“Never said it was.” I pull the necklace that broke from around her neck as she ran from the school out of my pocket, holding it in front of my face. The sun glints off the silver dragonfly as it spins from the broken chain.

“She’s still in high school.”

“She’s almost twenty.”

“And you’re …”

“Old enough to know what she needs.”

“Fine. Just call me when the job is done.”

“Will do.”

He hangs up. He knows he can’t argue.

Chapter Five

Kelsie

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