Page 37 of Lex

“Did your friend find something out?”

At the sound of Summer’s sleep-sexy voice, he turned around as she sat up, clutching the sheet in front of her. “Yeah. The guy who was shot worked for a man named Mack “The Mechanic” Dougherty.”

“We need to go check out that address we found at Scott’s.”

He nodded. “Let’s grab some coffee and head over there.”

Summer turned thoughtful. “If Mack sent Scorpion then he must know more about this container and what’s inside.”

“I’m counting on it.”

Keeping the sheet around her, she hopped out of bed, suddenly looking wide awake and ready to tackle the day. Before she could disappear into the bathroom, he snagged the sheet and began reeling her in.

“Lex!” She tried to pull away. “I have to brush my teeth and wash my face and—”

His mouth caught hers, silencing her protests. After a long kiss, he lifted his head and smiled. “Good morning.”

“Morning,” she murmured, sounding adorably shy.

For some reason, he wanted her to know that no matter what was going on in the world, he would always take the time to greet her with a good morning kiss. So many bad things could happen in the blink of an eye, and Lex had learned how important it was to slow down and appreciate the moment, because nothing was promised. But even more importantly, he wanted to appreciate her. Between the rounds of amazing sex, they’d shared incredible moments getting to know each other better while grazing on room service and talking about everything and nothing. Summer brought something into his life that had been missing before.

“See,” she said softly. “You’re sweet.”

He arched a brow, his smile turning mischievous as he smacked her ass, and she let out a husky yelp. “Get dressed, sweetheart. Because we’re going to meet The Mechanic.”

It wasn’t long before they were in the rental SUV, drinking their coffee and heading out of Las Vegas. Just like he expected, Summer asked about Flossie, and Lex repeated what Brandon had told him. She seemed relieved and happy, and Lex couldn’t stop glancing over at her as he drove. She looked more lovely than ever before. Maybe it was the glow from all the sex. He loved it, deciding to make it his mission to keep her looking flushed and glowy all the time.

It didn’t take long to reach Mack’s Body Shop. It was the only place for miles, surrounded by the unforgiving, very stark Mojave Desert. As they climbed out of the car, Lex took a look at the rundown garage. But it was the rest of the property which served as a junkyard that snagged his attention. It was massive, a maze of twisted steel and scrap. Piles of abandoned junk like old cars, random hunks of metal and beams that looked like they’d once held together vintage Vegas hotels soared skyward.

A great cover for a shithead selling weapons on the side.

“Stay close,” he warned, voice low and wary, as they walked toward the small building marked by a crooked sign that read Mack’s Auto Body Shop & Junkyard. They stepped inside where a man was wiping his greasy hands on a rag. Part of an engine sat on a table, surrounded by various tools.

“Can I help you?” he asked.

There wasn’t much to the joint. A couple of empty bays which hoisted cars, signaling no customers. Lex eyed the man who had an unlit cigar clamped between his teeth, zeroing in on his dirty coveralls and his name sewn on his work shirt. “Mack?”

“That’s me.”

“We’d like to ask you some questions about a former employee.”

“Oh?” His dark eyes narrowed.

“A man by the name of Lenny Lubicki.” Lex waited for a reaction, but none came. Dougherty kept his grizzled face carefully blank.

“Never heard of him.”

“He had a scorpion tattoo on his hand,” Summer supplied, stepping forward.

“Never heard of him,” Dougherty repeated, turning his attention back to the engine.

Fucking liar. Lex could tell the man wasn’t being truthful. His dismissive tone and the way his eye twitched gave him away.

“Look, I’m really busy here.”

Lex crossed his arms, looking around the empty place. “Yeah, looks like you’re insanely busy. Maybe you should hire some extra help. Now that Lubicki is dead and all.”

Dougherty’s head snapped up, eyes narrowing into slits. At the same moment, the side door opened and the thug with the ace of spades inked on his cheek strolled in. “Hey, Mack—” He abruptly halted, eyes widening before Lex saw him reach behind his back, presumably for a weapon. Lex immediately stepped in front of Summer, blocking her from any potential danger.