Page 68 of Instinct & New Identity

I gaveArcherthe details of the brief conversation we’d had with the cop this morning so he could add that to the mix.Icalled and left a message forOfficerParkerto see if he could give me any extra insight into some leads or information.

“You think it could be related to the old creepy neighbor?”Iasked.Somethingabout that man just never sat well with me.

“I putAxelon that this morning, but he found nothing.Theman seems content with his porn collection and flirting with the woman who runs the front desk—a woman he has no chance with.Yougot any enemies you think would come at you?”

“Not thatIcan think of, butI’llcall my old man,”Itold him. “Iworked a couple high-profile cases with him before he officially retired, soI’llsee what he thinks.”

“Alright.Ifhe thinks of something, let me know.”

We ended the call, and as much asIwanted to get in that shower withCat,Ialso didn’t want her to add this to her list of things to be worried about, so it was better for me to call my dad now while she wasn’t in the room.

I filled him in on everythingArcherhad told me and gave him the rundown of what the cop had said this morning when he’d called.Wediscussed back and forth some potential angles, but most of the high-profile cases we had worked together were all in prison.Notthat people didn’t assist prisoners from the outside, but you needed money and resources for that, which made it more difficult.Hetold me he’d look into it some more with people he still knew in the bounty-hunting business but otherwise told me to just watch my back and trust my gut.

My gut trustedJack.Istill wasn’t ready to remove the potential threat fromCat’sparents’ murders, but having served overseas withJackfor years,Itrusted his gut when it came to this.

Unfortunately, asIwrapped up my call with my dad,Catcame out to the living room with wet hair and new clothes on.Damn.Missedopportunity.

“Everything okay?” she asked. “Sorry…Iwaited as long asIcould, but the water started to turn cold, andIlooked like a prune.”

This cabin was great, but it had a tiny water heater.I’dfallen victim to that a few times growing up when my mother and sister would take forever in the shower.

“All good, babe,”Isaid asIwalked toward her. “I’llgive it a few minutes to warm up, and thenI’lltake a quick shower, and we’ll head into town.”

“Everything okay withArcher?”

I hated keeping things from her, butIdidn’t want to worry her, soIstuck with the basics. “Yeah,Jackhad a bit of a situation yesterday.Nobig deal, butArcherwas just calling me to fill me in.”

“Okay.”Sheleaned up and kissed me softly.IwishedIhad more time to do other things, butIfigured we’d head down into town and walk around for a bit before dinner then come back here with plenty of time to rectify whatIhad planned to do to her in the shower.Wewere going to head back later tomorrow, soIwanted to take advantage of the private time we had left.

* * *

“Oh my goodness…this town is so cute!”Catexclaimed joyfully as we walked down the large sidewalks in town. “Everythinglooks like a quaintEuropeanvillage all decorated for the holidays.Ilove it!”

We had gone into several shops and stores, including theAlpineCandyShoppe, to get some items for her sister and a caramel apple forCat, whichIlearned was her guilty pleasure.Shepicked a caramel one with chocolate stripes, and allIcould think of was licking that shit off her body.

I enjoyed watching her face light up, andIknewIwanted to put that look on her face more often.Shehadn’t traveled or explored places for much of the last seven years out of safety concerns, andIwanted to be the one to give her those experiences.

After walking around for awhile, we made our way toWolfgang’sBierhalle, where we ate dinner.Itwas a traditional meal of sausages, potatoes, cheeses, and more sausages, but it was good.Theinside was decorated for the holidays, andCatkept pointing out all the things she loved.Iloved the way her face came alive.

As much asIenjoyed sitting with her,Ihad other plans back at theA-frame andIdidn’t want to rush, soIasked for the check, and we made our way back.

The first thingIdid was lock the place up tight and toldCatto secureHarry.Iwasn’t taking any chances that the passion-assassin would ruin my night.Iwalked into the bedroom to seeCatleaned over the crate whereHarrywould spend the next few hours.

“Don’t move.”Mywords were gravelly, slow, and hinted at mischief.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, turning her head, but her body remained still.

“Nothing’s wrong.Justenjoying the view of my woman’s fine ass in front of me.”

Her exasperated sigh filled the room as she scooped upHarry.Shestood back up and walked past me withHarryin tow. “Keepit in your pants for a few more minutes.I’mgoing to release him into the living room so he’s not cooped up all night but also not in the bedroom.”

She walked by me, swaying her hips the whole way, whichIknew to be on purpose since she turned her head back and winked as she left the room.

Yes.Thiswoman was definitely going to be the death of me.

She didn’t take long to return.Shewalked into the bedroom, closed the door behind her, and just stood there and stared at me.

“Come here,”Itold her, curling my finger at her.

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