Page 40 of High Density

They were the most harrowing couple of hours of my life. Logan looked at me funny a few times when I’d fumble or drop something when my nerves got the better of me. But JD and I agreed not to talk to anyone but law enforcement. Besides, telling him would only put him in potential danger too. It’s safer not to know.

“In this case, I think removing them was wise,” Sheriff Ewing tells his deputy. “It may have bought us some time so we can get surveillance in place.” Then he turns to me. “You said this herd came from Alberta?”

I nod. “Yes, as far as I know, the transport crossed the border early this morning. The first two trucks were already there when I got to the rodeo grounds a little after eight this morning, and the third one got here around midday.”

Ewing instructs Deputy Bastian to collect the packages in evidence bags, while he probes us for more details, jotting down the information we’re able to give him in a small notebook.

“I’m going to head out there, I’ll call it a routine check, which I probably would’ve done tomorrow anyway. I’ll also have a look at where you said they were burning the carcass of that cow, see if there’s anything left. But first I’m going to call the FBI office in Kalispell. My department is already spread thin because of the rodeo and all the extra traffic it brings to town, but aside from that, this case is bigger than we can handle.”

Then he turns to his deputy. “I want you to run the evidence straight to the office. Log it in, secure it, and then meet me at the park. We’ll have a look around the grounds.”

JD and I walk outside with them. The sheriff is about to get in his cruiser, when he turns around.

“I’m gonna need you both to stick around here. I have a feeling things might move fast once I get a call in to the feds, and I’m sure they’ll want to talk to you themselves.”

“We’ll be here,” JD answers for both of us as he drapes an arm around my shoulders.

“For now,” I amend.

“I’ll give you a heads-up if I know anything more, once I’ve had a chance to talk to them,” Ewing promises before getting behind the wheel.

We don’t even know if and when the FBI will get here. It’s already late in the day, they may not arrive until tomorrow, which would be a bit of an issue. I’ll be expected to show my face at the rodeo arena at some point or my absence might raise suspicions.

Shoot, I didn’t even think of the larger implications. I took this job for the nice paycheck attached, but at the very least this investigation will impact the auction scheduled for tomorrow. Although, I’m sure the cloud will hang over the rodeo as well; I’ll be lucky to get paid at all once all is said and done.

I’m not sure where exactly those cattle came from, other than somewhere in Alberta, but I know Mackey arranged thetransport. There’s no way he’s not involved somehow. How could he not be? If anything, his hurry to get rid of the dead cow from the first transport was a glaring red flag.

I wonder where he took off to this afternoon.

“I need a shower,” I announce when the sheriff’s cruiser disappears down the driveway. “I reek.”

I start walking toward the house.

“I don’t smell anything.”

I turn my head and shoot a grin at JD, who is right behind me. “That’s because you reek too.”

“Maybe I should take a shower as well then,” he suggests.

“Take a number.” I stop in the hallway to kick off the boots I wore outside. “In case you forgot, I currently only have the one working shower.”

JD ditches his boots as well and follows me inside. I head straight for the kitchen counter to grab my phone I left there to charge. I don’t want to miss Ewing’s call if he gets back to us with more information while I’m in the shower.

“We could always share.”

I almost jump when his voice sounds right behind me. I didn’t hear him move, he’s quiet without his boots.

The moment I turn around to face him, he braces a hand on the counter on either side of me, effectively caging me in. His brown eyes are only inches from mine, reading my face. Thoughts of his slick tawny skin sliding against my much paler tones as our wet bodies come together in my cramped shower put a burning blush on my cheeks.

He chuckles softly. “Good to know,” he says, even though I haven’t said a word. Then he drops a kiss on my lips. “But we’ll save it for a time when we don’t have to worry about interruptions.”

I’m not sure what annoys me more, that I’m so transparent, or he’s the male version of a cocktease. Putting both handsagainst his nicely sculpted chest, I shove him aside and stalk toward the hallway to the bedrooms, followed by his chuckles.

“You know…” I stop in the doorway and turn my head to taunt him. “I’m starting to think you’re all talk and no play. Maybe you can’t deliver?”

Even from all the way across the room, I can feel the heat from his narrowed eyes as he slowly slides a hand down to cup his junk. Although, I’m not sure junk is the appropriate term for the enticing bulge in his jeans he drew my eyes to. The sight of his arousal sends a delicious tingle through my body, which is only enhanced by his deep, velvet voice.

“I can deliver, Beautiful. The anticipation only makes it sweeter when I do.”

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