Page 39 of Unshakable

“That’s because I’ve got the hots for you, angel.” I turn my head and give her a sly smile. My fingers find her chin and I pull her in for a soft kiss. “Hm,” my breath fans against her mouth. “With your teasing, I’m already thinking about tonight. You and me and all the filthy things I wanna do to you.” She gives me a roll of her eyes. “I’ll play you like the pretty little violin you are, until you beg me to fuck you.”

I bring our mouths together and devour that sweet, soft heat of hers, muffling her gasp. She lets me take the lead and I plunder her mouth, wild and fast.

The kitchen door opens and we both jump, releasing each other like a pair of teenagers, a guilty look on our faces. Maria eyes us curiously as she starts to clean up the table. When she leaves again, we both let out a relieved laugh. But before we can get back to it, Jayden takes out his earplugs and waves from across the table. “Did you find anything yet?”

I hear Angélique giggle next to me, but his question’s enough to bring me back into the moment. “Not really. As I said, all these cases are clean. But thereissomething about the Wilkinson case that we’re missing. It’s the only case I can think of and I could have treated him better but uhm…” I shrug, “he pissed me off I guess.”

I search for the folder in the pile and hand it over to Jayden. “That’s the one.”

He glances through the documents. “Carter Hutchinson represented him, right? Yeah, I did quite a bit of research on this one, but couldn’t find anything to use against him.”

I nod.

“And it was the client who decided to drop the case during the appointment?” Jayden looks up over his glasses.

“Yeah. Well, I may have mentioned that I could get his sister kicked out of Brunswick with one phone call to the director.”

Jayden’s lips twitch slightly. “Right. And that made him drop the case?”

“Yeah.”

“Because he has a sister?”

“Yeah.”

Connor’s tinny voice fills the room. “Found the IP address guys. You’re not gonna believe this.”

But I do. The realization startles me. “Fuck. She studies software technology.”

CHAPTERSIXTEEN

SUNDAY NIGHT - ANGÉLIQUE

From the moment we leave for Wilkinson's house, the three men around me talk extensively about the case and its possibilities. I listen, not wanting to intervene, while I stare out the window. After having discovered some parts of Manhattan on the bicycle, I find it fascinating to now see a real residential neighborhood. The one-story houses are designed so differently from the houses in France.

Everyone’s visibly nervous and after the footage I’ve seen, I am too. For another reason, though. Logan’s father came across so friendly, with his wine and all, and to watch the same man killing two guys is just…horrifying. Any normal thinking person would have run.Ishould have run. But my feet are stuck to the ground I share with Logan. I’m in too deep. I can’t explain how being surrounded by these people gives me the feeling of safety and home, which really is all I’ve ever wanted. And Logan…I shake my head and Big looks up. When our eyes meet, he asks me silently if I’m okay and I nod. Am I, though? I’ve got no clue. Absolutely no idea.

Logan, who’s sitting in the front next to Mason, points at a house that has a Kia parked in front of the garage. Dim light behind the curtains suggests that whoever lives here, is home. Poor soul.

“I still don’t get the whole picture,” Mason mutters. “He’s got a lot of explaining to do.”

“Big, you stay here and take the wheel.” Logan turns to face his bodyguard. “Remember, we’re not sure if he’s in on his sister’s plan,” I hear him say. “For all we know, Charlie tricked us once. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame onme.”

“I wouldn’t exclude another party’s involvement either,” I dare to add. When Logan turns his head over his shoulder, I quickly add, “I mean, I don’t know…”

“What are you thinking?”

I breathe in and blurt, “Well, from all the information you shared over the last thirty minutes, this is what I get: you know that the IP address from the emails comes from this location. Most likely from Charlie’s sister, Mia, right? Or both even, if Charlie’s also involved. But, why would they leave you a paper note if they have the technical know-how to blackmail you via email? It’s risky and makes them look suspicious, or vulnerable, right away.”

Logan hums while he seems to contemplate my theory. A short knock on the window brings us all out of our thoughts. Harry and his son Samuel are outside, both wearing their black sturdy pants and cotton tees, covered by equally black rain jackets.

Big opens the door and we all get out.

“Ready to roll?” Logan asks and glances around. The guys all nod and Samuel opens his mouth, but Logan cuts him off. “Not today, can’t do. Sorry Sammy. We’re not sure Charlie hasn’t fooled us.”

Big pats each of the guys on their shoulders before taking the seat behind the wheel. While I give him a thin smile, Mason leads the way, followed by Harry. Then Logan’s eyes find me and he barks, “You’re staying here.”

Indignation flushes over me. “Oh no, I’m coming.”

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