Page 26 of Decoding Morse

“I do.” Amelia slid around me to address him, her expression amused. “Who doesn’t? It’s a family tradition. The kids and I really get down on some Dicks every year while we’re checking out local Christmas lights.”

I choked.

She’d always had a fantastic sense of humor, but I’d never seen this side of her.

“Holiday Dicks. I like it.” Rabbit waggled his eyebrows like he was having the time of his life. “You want some Dicks right now, don’t you?”

A smile tugged at her lips, but she didn’t break. “No, thanks. I’m not a Dicks for breakfast type.”

“You could always heat it up later.”

“Microwaved Dicks?” She made a face. “Gross.”

“Christ,” I swore again, and this time it was for an entirely different reason. My jeans were growing awfully uncomfortable every time she muttered that word, and they shouldn’t be. In fact, I should probably have my head examined because I couldn’t stop watching her lips. Or her tits. And holy shit, that ass. Her curves could easily justify sins and felonies.

“Yeah, microwaved Dicks would be soggy. But I bet oven-heated Dicks would be all right. Nice and toasty, even. Love myself some warm, crispy Dicks.”

“Air fryer,” she shot back.

They’d never stop if I didn’t step in, so I broke it up. “All right, that’s enough.” I met the bastard’s maniacal grin and glared him down. “Scram. Don’t you have Dicks to eat?”

He suddenly sobered. “But I need to talk to you. For real.”

I started to tell him to go jump in a lake, but the desperation in his eyes made me pause. Something was up. Rabbit could be explosive, which meant I should probably find out what had his underwear in a wad before he did something stupid.

“Fine. Wait for me at my desk.”

“Ten-four. Pleasure to meet you, my lady and fellow lover of Dicks.” He bowed at the waist to Amelia, who raised her eyebrows at the outdated gesture before dipping into an awkward curtsey.

The smile playing at the edges of her lips nearly knocked the wind out of me. She was so goddamn beautiful it hurt to look at her.

“Thanks. You too, Rabbit.”

He turned and walked down the hall, skipping. Horribly. His feet seemed to struggle with the steps, and I half expected himto trip himself. It was bizarre to see that man happy, but that’s what Elenore—and lots of therapy—had achieved. Fucker better not self-destruct and throw it all down the drain.

Spinning to face Amelia, I said, “I’m sorry to do this to you, but I need to find out what that’s about. Can you wait here a minute?”

“Uh….” Her gaze flickered to take in the room. Or, more accurately, the rowdy occupants. It was Sunday, midmorning, and the mess hall was bursting at the seams with bikers and their families. It was a lot to take in. “Sure.”

“Would you rather wait in the conference room?”

“No. I should… mingle.” Her gaze shot around. “Meet some of my new neighbors.”

“And get something to eat.”

She gave me a non-committal nod that made me want to fix a plate for her, but I couldn’t do that. No more overstepping boundaries.

“I’ll be right back.”

* * *

When I opened the surveillance room door, Rabbit was precisely where I expected to find him: rummaging through my desk. The fool had to know I’d never be stupid enough to keep anything condemning where people could discover it, but he couldn’t help himself.

Muttering, “Dumbass,” I marched in, closing the door behind me.

He had to hear me enter, but he played up his commitment to the task, riffling through a notepad in my top drawer. It took me clearing my throat before the bastard finally turned around.

“Having fun?” I asked.

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