Shot in the Dark (Blackbridge Security #2) - Marie James Page 0,20

integrity. Right now, he’s just trash, but so help me if I find one slipup, one unpaid parking ticket, one crumb of a crime, I’m going to personally make sure his head rolls.

“Men are trash,” I tell Simon as I scratch behind his ear, pausing on my way to the kitchen for a snack.

He purrs. As always, my little faithful companion rolls over on his back, instigating tummy rubs.

“Are male kitties just as bad?”

He gives me a tiny meow, instruction to keep rubbing his belly as his eyes grow soft and squinty.

“I know they are.” My voice is soft and comforting. “But we don’t talk about the way you acted before I took you to the doctor, do we?”

His purring falters, but my fingers must feel good because he doesn’t pounce off the couch and hide under the coffee table like he did for weeks after I had him neutered. He hated me, but it was the responsible thing to do. Also, I was exhausted from him scratching on the window and bellowing like a lady cat was nearby and I was stopping him from a little midnight visit.

Standing in the kitchen, I drink a bottle of cold water until I drain it dry and nibble on a granola bar until l feel calm enough not to send Rebecca a link to Amanda’s social media and vice versa.

When I sit back down at my computer, I log the data that I’ve mined and start up a couple more programs. Now that I’ve found the connections to these two women, I can easily branch out and see where those limbs take me.

I log off, continuing to ignore the messages sent by Wasp because honestly, I don’t know if I can control my attitude tonight, and it’s not Wasp’s fault that William Theold is scum.

I fall into bed with Wasp’s husky voice in my ear as the man on the elevator watches me, biting his lip and asking me out for coffee.

Chapter 9

Wren

“She’s agitated,” I grumble.

Even from the shitty camera angle in the gym, I can tell Whitney is frustrated more than usual. I’ve discovered she hates working out, even though she does it daily. This is her second workout today; the first time she’s doubled up since her box was handed over to me.

Something is bothering her, and as much as I want to comfort her, I can’t hint at knowing she’s in a foul mood.

“She’s hot!” Puffy squawks, and all I can do is nod in agreement.

“Anna’s gonna smash!”

I snap my head in his direction.

“Let Deacon hear you mention her name,” I warn.

Then I turn my head back around and notice movement on the parking garage cameras.

“Oh… OH!”

Another camera angle reveals that Flynn is heading down in the elevator, so I fire off a text to him after darkening the screen for the parking garage.

Me: Tell Deacon that I’m going to put the video footage of him and Anna on the BBS website if they take things any further and label it “Special Attention from the Owner.”

I watch Flynn on the elevator as he reads the message, and I have to chuckle when he throws his head back on a laugh.

Me: And tell them congrats on their engagement.

Flynn snaps his head in the direction of the camera, but the door opens before I can send another text.

Deacon Black is a man of action—when he decides to actually take action. Two days ago he was pouting outside Anna’s apartment, last night he went to the gala I mentioned and swept her off her feet, and today they’re engaged. Not only engaged, but the wedding is in three short weeks according to her mother’s social media post half an hour ago.

With all of that taken care of, I turn my attention back to Whitney in the gym, smiling when I see her practically growl at a guy who tries to approach her. I don’t know much about interacting with women in person, but only a fool would think he had a shot with a woman who looks like she’s about to commit murder.

“Idiot,” I whisper, the smile never leaving my face.

She doesn’t stop at forty-five minutes like she normally does. She’s an hour and fifteen minutes in when my damn door swings open.

“Put your dick away!”

I blacken the screen, but hell, what’s the point in hiding anymore?

Anna chuckles, and I turn to give her a smile.

“What’s going on?” Deacon asks, and I’m hoping he’s distracted enough by his new fiancé that he