“On it’s way.” Swede advised me. “What’s changed?”
I took some time to explain it all to him. “So, I need everything you have, okay?”
“Roger. When you figure out what you’re up to, I’ll a few hands your way.” Swede cleared his throat. “You might need the help.”
“Thanks.” I hung up and faced Ellie and Malik. “The list is coming through now. I’m going to need some help making it shorter.”
“Okay.” Ellie dragged her palms up and down her thighs. “Let’s do it.”
True to his word, Swede sent a massive list. Otis seemed to be in the flip business. He’d buy homes, fix them up with help from his boys then turned around and sold them for a profit. I focused on properties he’d hold on to. But the list was still too long. I growled.
“We’re going to need more help.” Malik said.
I was already making the first call to get Xman and his crew to check out the locations in Butte. Later, I roped Montana in to hit places in Eagle Rocks with help from Bear and Molly.
No luck. I crossed them all off and focused on the two remaining.
“Then there were two.” Ellie muttered.
“Only one seemed plausible though.” Malik pointed to the addresses. “This one is an open lot. I know because the hospital wants to buy it, but the city is throwing all sort of roadblocks. They want to sell it to a development company.”
“If that’s true,” Ellie said, crossing off the lot. “There’s one.”
I called Grim.
“I have Maia with me.” Grim told us. “What’s going on?”
“I’m going to need backup.” I told them already checking my gun. “Grim, I need you to meet us at the address I’m about to send you. Maia, can you head on over to my parent’s place?”
“On my way,” Maia said. “Watch your back, got it?”
I promised I would and after Maia left, I forwarded the address then turned to Malik. “Pick Jesse up on your way over. I’m going to send Taz your way too.”
Malik hugged me tightly. “Be careful, please?”
I nodded.
“No, Cobra…say it.”
“I promise, I’ll be careful.” I told him.
Malik hugged me again and was on the phone with Jesse as he rushed out the door. I led Ellie out the door and climbed into the front seat of the Truck and started the engine. She reached across and rested her palm to my thigh.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been—well, you know?” Ellie told me. “Up for intimacy. I’ve been so tired, and you’re hurt…”
“Ellie?”
“Hmmm?”
“It’s okay. When this is all over, we’ll revaluate and go from there.” I lifted her hand to my lips and kissed her wrist. “I understand there is nothing sexy about what we’re doing right now. You don’t have to apologise.”
“I thought you would want—you know?”
“And I do. But I understand that has to take a backseat to everything else right now.”
“I’m sorry—this is all my fault.”
“Breathe…” I whispered, leaning in to kiss her neck. “Easy.”
