Page 46 of Last First Kiss
“They’re out on bail. My brother is the owner of ICS, where I work, and he confirmed it a few minutes ago. There must be a group of people in on this. That’s my thought, at least.”
The officer made some notes on a pad and nodded. “Thank you for your assistance. We’ve got it from here, Ms. Clad.”
“Here’s my card, please keep us posted.” She extended her hand and they shook hands like colleagues.
“Will do.”
Jax and Joey were out front speaking with other officers when she walked out. “You don’t answer your goddamn phone,” Joey barked when he saw her.
“I was kind of busy with a bomb!”
“And you were what . . . just hanging out? Waiting for it to detonate?”
“No, I was making sure everyone cleared out.”
“I swear to God, you’re going to give me a heart attack. Let’s go.”
She followed the others out. “So brief us,” Jax said.
“Nothing new to report. Black bag. Could be nothing. Could be something. I want to research that symbol a little more, though. Where’d Ben take Monroe?”
“They’re at ICS.”
The drive back to headquarters was quiet, Jax driving and Joey and Annie on their phones texting.
When they arrived, Rocco was pacing back and forth. “Woman, you are seriously going to give me a fucking heart attack.”
“Join the club,” Joey mumbled.
Confused, Julia chimed in. “So wait? Are you his bodyguard? I thought you two were dating. This makes more sense.”
Annie glared at the woman but decided it wasn’t worth an argument.
“I’d prefer we kept it low key, Jules. Can you do that?” Rocco asked, sweetly, although it looked as if he was biting his tongue.
“Of course. Your secret’s safe with me.”
Joey turned to Ben. “You can take Julia and Lawrence home. Stay close, no going out today until we know what was in the bag.” Julia huffed and whined as Lawrence escorted her out of ICS with Ben following closely behind, still alert.
“Since we don’t know whether the threat is directed at you personally or at the movie itself, I’d feel more comfortable if you stayed here at the compound.” Joey suggested to Rocco.
“No,” Rocco said flatly.
“Rock, Joey’s right on this one. It’s not safe.”
“I’m not going to be driven out of my own house.”
“Monroe—”
Annie stepped between the two tense men. “Let’s go have dinner nearby since we didn’t get to eat. Wait and see what the police say and then we’ll make a decision.”
Joey crossed his arms and shook his head slowly. “I don’t like it.”
“What’s new?” Annie replied, then turned to Rocco. “There’s an Italian restaurant right around the corner. We can walk.”
“Sounds good.” He took her hand, ignoring the way Joey was looking at them, and walked out.
He grasped her hand firmly and as soon as they were out the door he stopped, forcing her to turn. “Ow!” She pulled her hand away from his grip and crossed his arms over his chest.
