Ryker (Hope City #6) - Kris Michaels Page 0,19

it is global. It is bigger than the CIA and the FBI put together.”

She rolled onto her back. “How come I didn't know this?”

“Probably because things like money don't matter to you.”

She bobbed her head from side to side. “As long as I pay my bills and I have food on the table, I'm good. Beyond a point, money really isn't that important. But he wasn't talking about Jason, he was talking about Justin.”

“I have no idea about that cousin. I take it you're not close?”

“No, not really. They grew up in Mississippi and there was a big argument between my grandmother and their father. From what my mom told me, the entire situation was ugly with a capital ‘Ug’. Then my Uncle Chance was murdered. My Aunt Amanda raised eight kids by herself, although Dad and Mom made sure they called her once a month or so to make sure they were doing okay. We went down to Mississippi twice and they came up here once.”

“Some families aren't close. It happens.” His wasn't close. Not in the slightest.

“I don't think it was intentional, the distance. My mom and dad like Aunt Amanda. But sometimes life interferes.” She sighed and groaned. “Then I found someone poked a hole in my tire.”

“Say what?” He repositioned so he could see her better.

“It was dark, but I think either the inside rim of the tire gave up the ghost or someone put a hole in the tire with something sharp.”

“I'll look at it tomorrow when I drop you off. If someone slashed it, you'll need to do a police report.”

“It was probably some random thing. Seriously, it isn't a big deal. I needed new tires anyway.”

“That is true, you do. Especially before winter sets in. Your old tires are almost bald, but if it was slashed, you'll do a report. Understand?”

She saluted him and huffed, “Yes sir, Captain Terrell, sir.”

“You can be a smart ass, but I'm serious.”

“I know and thank you, but I can handle this.” She traced his brows with her fingertip.

He looked at her. “You really did have a day, didn't you?”

“Yeah, it was one thing after another. And did I mention I bussed tables, too?” She yawned, pulling her hand back to cover her mouth. “I need to go put dinner in the fridge unless you want to eat now.”

“I'll take care of it. You go to sleep. I'll be right back.”

She held him when he tried to get up. “No, you've got to be exhausted. You were the one who got called out last night.”

“True, but I caught a power nap after I came home. I'm good. Besides, it won't take long.” He dropped a kiss on her lips before he slid from bed and grabbed his jeans, shoving one leg in and then the other.

It took only moments to put the food away and cork the wine. He cleaned the kitchen and turned off the lights, double-checking the locks on the doors and windows. Staring through the front window, he crossed his arms over his chest and bowed his head, thanking his maker for putting Brie in his life.

A strange thought torpedoed his consciousness. If Fenton hadn’t relieved him of duty, he wouldn't have had the time to go to the gym and he would have never met her. The twisted trail of his life to this point hadn't prepared him for something as good and wholesome as Brianna King. A sudden dose of reality, his reality, broke across him like a wave pounding the beach. Good and wholesome were things that didn't last long in his life. Maybe, just this once, he'd be able to hold on to someone he loved.

Chapter 5

Ryker drove into the alley and parked behind her SUV. They both got out of Ryker's police sedan and walked to the right rear wheel of her truck.

“See.” She leaned down and pointed to the slice in the tire. “But look here.” She pointed to a bulge in the sidewall of her tire. “It could have erupted.”

“No. Someone slashed your tire. The line is too clean. If it had exploded, it would have torn the rubber and made jagged edges. This isn’t jagged.” He ran his finger along the sharp edge.

“But why would someone want to do that?” She stood and put her hands on her hips.

“I couldn’t tell you. I’m going to call Alston Repair and Towing. He’ll come get this old girl. Four new tires?”

She swung around and grabbed his arm. “And a