Page 26 of Twin Threats In Austin
“We can talk on the way over.” With that, she stood up and retrieved a suitcase from the closet. Camden forced his gaze away from the silky skin of her thighs—thighs that were almost entirely exposed. His brain was still trying to force thoughts of how amazing those purple panties of hers would feel in his hands as he removed them from her body.
Camden swallowed to ease the sudden dryness in his throat.
The best way to distract himself from thinking about how incredible having sex with Rochelle would be was to refocus on the case or check on his grandparents. Speaking of whom, he needed to check on one of his buddies. Ace Kendric had saved Camden’s life by jumping in front of a moving vehicle to knock Camden out of the way. The move had cost Ace his career by shattering his ankle.
His friend had gone through surgery like a champ and he had moved to Mesa Point permanently after falling in love with someone who inherited a building from her aunt. Kayleigh Price had been the perfect person to see Ace through his recovery.
Camden fired off a text to check on his buddy and the business he’d started with his new wife.Wife. Camden neverthought he’d be thinking that word when it came to Ace. People changed. Hell, everything changed. Change was the only constant. It still caught you by surprise with certain folks. Ace was one of them.
A response came quickly.
When are you coming home?
Camden studied the screen. He sent a message back.Still not sure. Soon.
Okay then. We’ll grab a beer.
Camden couldn’t remember the last time he’d gone out for a beer after work with a coworker. Too long. Ever?
I’m gonna hold you to it.
Ace responded:Good. ’Bout time.
Rather than dig into what that was supposed to mean, Camden caught up on the updates on his grandparents in the family’s group chat. Grandpa Lorenzo, affectionally known as Grandpa Lor, was as spry as ever. Mentally fine but physically weak. There’d been no change with Grandma Lacey.Damn. His grandfather was in physical therapy twice a day. Called them two-a-days, like in football. Seemed like his sense of humor was intact. Then again, he’d always been as stubborn as he was strong. He would think he needed to come across as able to handle anything. Like, the accident was just a blip. No one should worry about him or Grandma Lacey.
Camden wondered if he’d ever seen his grandfather let down his guard. Could the man keep up the facade if he lost his wife?
While Rochelle finished packing, Camden figured he could drum up some food and get to-go coffee cups going. After mentioning he’d be in the kitchen, Rochelle bit down on her bottom lip.
“Would you mind staying in here?” she asked. “My mind is spinning and having another person in the room has a calming effect.”
Camden agreed, not mentioning how being in the same room with her had the opposite effect on him. It stirred up more than his body.
Refocusing on his cell, he sent an update to his SO and then responded to the messages in the family group chat.
“I’ll be ready as soon as I change clothes,” Rochelle said after a few minutes passed. She held up an outfit and then ducked inside the en-suite bathroom. A few minutes later, she emerged wearing jeans, a blouse, and her shoulder holster. She slipped her feet into a pair of boots before rolling her suitcase into the living room as he followed. “I packed enough for a couple of days, just in case.”
“We can always come back for more if needed,” he reassured her. “Plus, I have a washer and dryer in my town house.”
“Good,” she said. “My favorite coffee place is a few blocks away. They have killer breakfast tacos.” She seemed to regret her word choice immediately after she said the wordkiller.
“Breakfast tacos sound good,” he said. “Do you want me to drive this time?”
“Since someone might be watching me, that’s probably a good idea,” she said. “Might be a good way to throw them off track if they come back and see my vehicle here.”
He’d take anything that could buy more time. “Then, it’s a plan.”
Camden took her suitcase after throwing on a shirt and toeing on his boots. He walked out to the truck first, started the engine,and then waved for her to join him. There was no sense testing their luck or giving the bastard a shot if he’d returned. Though, Camden doubted the shooter would come back this fast. He would have to realize her place would be watched. It took a helluva brazen person to go after someone in law enforcement. So Camden wouldn’t take anything for granted.
When their cells buzzed at almost the same time, he realized bad news was coming. Since he didn’t want to sit in front of her house, he pulled away. “What does yours say?”
Rochelle’s gaze swept the area before she turned her full attention to the screen. “There’s been another missing-person report. Shiloh Johnson was last heard from while at a Laundromat.” Rochelle issued a frustrated sigh. “Hold on. Let me check the map.” She released a string of curses. “The victim was last seen near Kage’s apartment.”
Coincidence?
“We’re definitely stopping by,” Camden said. “What’s the name of the Laundromat?”
“Spin Cycle,” she replied as she read more of the message.
