Page 23 of Shadow Strike
She simply stared at him.Her hair was dripping, the raspberry smell was everywhere.She opened her mouth to speak, closed it.Blinked.
Not a morning person, then.He logged it, released her shoulders, and stepped to the side.
She hurried past and vanished into her room.After a beat, he heard the distinct sound of her pressing her back against the door and sighing.
He smiled to himself and appreciated the fact that Regan Hill off-guard was a completely different, and entirely compelling, creature from Regan Hill in command of her bar.
When he finished his shower, Lucy was already in the kitchen.
Although she’d been up like him and Regan until nearly two a.m., Lucy had the energy of a woman who’d slept for a solid eight hours.She had eggs going, toast in the toaster, and a pot of coffee brewed.
“Sit,” she said, without turning around.“Eggs will be ready in five.”
“You don’t have to feed me, Mrs.Hill.”
“I know I don’t have to.”She turned long enough to give him a look that told him not to argue.“I want to.There’s a difference.Now, sit.”
He sat.
Desi materialized and put his head on CB’s knee.CB put a hand on his head and drank some coffee.
Regan appeared, dressed in cut-offs and a tank top—this one pink.Her hair was still damp but now in a messy bun on top of her head.“Morning,” she muttered to the room in general.
Definitely not a morning person.
“Coffee’s fresh,” Lucy said.
Regan poured a cup and sat across from CB without looking at him.If he didn’t know better, she was blushing.Because he’d seen her in a towel?He held in his chuckle.Good thing she didn’t know the lurid thoughts racing through his mind.
Lucy set plates in front of both of them before she sat down with her own, folded her hands, and said, “So.What are we doing about Friday?”
Regan looked up.“Can we please eat in peace?”
“Friday is two days away.I want to know what the plan is.”She looked at CB with expectation.“You have one, I assume.”
“I do,” CB said.
Regan set her fork down and rubbed her temple.
“Friday’s pickup is a leverage point,” he said.“You’re not going to pay the extortion, obviously, but there are several things we need to do to stop the threats.”
“I hiredyouto stop the threats,” Regan said.
“And if you follow my instructions, that will happen.”
Her lips thinned, but she motioned for him to continue.
He did.“Today, you talk to Claire Dawson, an FBI colleague of mine in Missoula.She’ll open a case file, log the letters you’ve received, and get our statements concerning what happened two nights ago.This bypasses the local dirty cops and judges.”
Regan reared back.“FBI?Are you crazy?They won’t be interested in this.”
“It may not be a federal-level case yet, but the Outlaws have been on their radar for years.And the thing is, it’s not only about the gang—it’s about the cops and judges who’ve been turning a blind eye to their illegal activities.We let Claire worry about that part of it.”
Lucy seemed riveted.“Really?You think the FBI will help us?”
“I do.”He looked at Regan again.“After you speak to Claire, I’m going to have you talk to an attorney SPS hires when needed.Kristina Davies.She’ll work with Claire to create a Cease and Desist letter to be delivered to Denny Crue or Ryder, I don’t know which.Claire and Kristina will decide.We should have the C&D by Friday.When Crue or whoever shows up, they’ll be served with it.It’s time to let the Outlaws know you aren’t rolling over to their demands.”
“We can’t afford a lawyer,” Regan said.
