Mason’s name lights up the screen. I slide to answer and press it to the side of my head.
“Does that sayMalone?!” he practically screams into my ear. He must be watching through my hidden cam still.
“Yes,” I grit out, a bit too irked by the ringing in my ear now. “It’s gotta be-”
“Your best friend?” Mason cuts me off. I can hear the grin on his smug face. That bastard knows how much I loathe York Malone and his pompous fucking attitude. That attitude is why I’ve never been surprised that the loser never married, started a family, or, hell, ever dated a woman for longer than two months.Even the money wasn’t worth putting up with him. He’s pushing fifty years old and is still painfully single.
Mason says something else, sounding like he’s talking to someone nearby before returning to the phone. “Forensics wants that handkerchief ASAP as well as that vial. Derek says Mikey is giddy about it.”
“On my way,” I bark, already turning the key in the ignition and reveling in the sound of the engine turning because it means I can get out of this fucking place.
I pull out into traffic and disappear into the night.
Chapter 27
Alex
By the time I get done in the lab, I’m on cloud nine and I’ve got one thing in mind and I’m already calling her before I make it out of the precinct.
She answers on the second ring. “Hi.” She doesn’t sound tired for once. I’m glad for it.
“Is it okay if I come over?” I ask, hoping that I don’t sound as hopeful that the answer will be “yes” as I actually hope it’ll be.
“Of course.”
Thank God. I stifle my enthusiasm with a casual, “have you eaten? I can bring food.”
Her giggle filters through the speaker. “I already did, but thanks for the offer. Maybe next time.”
That’s my girl. “Alright, I’m on my way.”
The line clicks as I throw my leg over my bike. I stuff my phone in my pocket and then push my helmet over my head, speeding off into the night a moment later.
Traffic is minimal the whole way to Liv’s neighborhood. It seems like even the deadbeats aren’t out tonight. I pull up in front of her building, park my bike, and pull off my helmet. Racing up the front steps of her building, the door lock clicks just as I reach it making me wonder if she was watching me pull up… and if she’s as eager to see me as I am to see her.
I take the stairs two at a time all the way up to the fourth floor, barely getting the first knock on her door before she’s pulling it open.
Then I get stuck. She’s greeting me with a pair of sleep shorts and a tank top that swoops low over her breasts, showing so much cleavage that I already have a semi.
Oh Liv.
“Long day?” she asks, cocking her head slightly to the side in a gentle, almost teasing way.
“You could say that,” I respond, voice sounding hollower than I mean it to.
I step inside and push the door closed behind me just in time to see a glimmer in her eyes at the sound of my voice.
Ah, so she’s wearing that on purpose, good to know.
“How’s your day been?” I ask, peering over her shoulder and seeing Pip curled up asleep in that spot by the window that he seems to like.
“I had the day off, actually. I’ve just been sitting around here reading.”
“Reading huh?” I ask, taking a step closer to her and catching sight of the book on the couch. A beefy guy with a ridiculous amount of muscles holds onto a woman wearing a red dress on the cover.Reading.Got it.
“Yeah, it’s an interesting book.” Her eyes flit up to mine as her hand presses to my chest, her lithe fingers casually fiddling with the top button.
Go ahead, Liv. Take what you want.
