I meet his gaze directly. "That Pine Haven has an interesting MC. That your President is intense but fair. That his old lady has been through hell and come out fighting." I pause. "And that you're not quite what I expected."
"Oh?" His cocky grin returns. "And what did you expect?"
"James described you as a 'reckless fuckup with the attention span of a goldfish on meth.'"
He throws his head back and laughs, a genuine sound that transforms his face. "That's... surprisingly accurate, actually."
"But there's more to you." I hadn't meant to say it out loud.
His laughter fades, and he stares at me with those dark, mischievous eyes. "There's more to everyone, Maddie."
The way he says my name sends an unexpected shiver down my spine. Dangerous. I need to remember that Dice Thompson is off-limits for multiple reasons, not least of which is his connection to James.
I stand abruptly. "I should get some sleep. It's been a long day."
He looks disappointed but nods. "Sure. Need anything else?"
"I'm good." I grab my bag. "Thanks for letting me crash here."
"Anytime." He doesn't move from the couch. "Hey, Maddie?"
I pause at the hallway. "Yeah?"
"What did Reaper really talk to you about?"
So he caught that deflection earlier. Sharper than James gives him credit for.
"He wanted to know if I was trouble," I say honestly.
"And what did you tell him?"
I can't help but smile. "I told him the truth. That I'm the worst kind."
His answering grin is pure trouble itself. "Good night, Maddie."
"Night, Dice."
In the spare room, I lock the door behind me. Not because I don't trust Dice, but because I don't trust myself. There'ssomething magnetic about him that draws me in despite my better judgment. And getting involved with James's little brother would be a catastrophically bad idea.
I change into sleep shorts and a tank top, then sit cross-legged on the bed and pull out my phone. Three missed calls from a blocked number. Shit.
I should ignore it. I'm here for James, nothing else.
But then again, a girl's gotta eat.
I dial the number from memory, keeping my voice low.
"It's me," I say when they pick up. "I'm in position."
"Good." The voice on the other end is all business. "The package arrives in two days. You'll receive coordinates then."
"And my fee?"
"Same as discussed. Half now, half upon delivery."
I hang up and check my bank account. The first payment has already arrived—a cool twenty-five thousand. Not bad for what should be a simple job.
I hadn't planned to work while in Pine Haven, but when the offer came through last week, the timing seemed too perfect to pass up. A quick in-and-out job, no one gets hurt, and I walk away with enough cash to set James up comfortably after his release.
