Page 42 of Lex

“The Mechanic. It makes sense. Both Dougherty and The Broker are supposedly looking for their lost shipment. But we think Dougherty’s thugs hijacked it. I’m not sure if Dougherty ordered it or they went rogue. But Holt mentioned the thugs had prison tats, just like Dougherty’s guys.”

“You don’t think Holt stole it?”

“Anything’s possible, but I highly doubt it. He came across as a whiny idiot, a clueless middleman who took a job and got in over his head. Seems to fit with his history.”

“Sounds like a real charmer.”

“I told him to fuck off and to leave Summer alone.”

Brand chuckled. “I’m sure you did, Battle. That’s sweet. Getting all territorial over your woman.”

“Why is everyone suddenly calling me sweet? I am not sweet.”

“The right woman has the power to make even the sourest man sweet,” Brand told him. “Okay, I just texted the guys, and now I have to kiss Julia goodbye.”

“Aww, you’re so sweet, Brandon Ward,” Lex tossed back in a syrupy voice.

“It takes one to know one,” Brand responded easily, then he chuckled. “See you soon, loverboy.”

They disconnected, and Lex leaned a hip against the dresser. Hmmm. Maybe Brand was right. Maybe his coconut and flower-scented Summer Breeze was helping him turn his lemons into lemonade.

Hiding her smile, Summer swiped the ice bucket and was grabbing the room keycard sitting beside her phone when it lit up, silently indicating a new text. Her happy playfulness deflated when she saw Scott’s name on the screen. Seriously? With a frown, she grabbed her phone, too, and walked out into the hallway.

As the door shut behind her, she opened the message: I have intel about The Broker and what’s inside the container. I need to talk to you. Alone. Where are you?

The last person she wanted to see was Scott, but if he’d found out something important, then they needed to know. She tapped out a quick response: Wherever I go, Lex goes.

Three dots appeared. Disappeared. She fought the annoyance bubbling up. Once this situation was resolved, she never wanted to see or speak to Scott freaking Holt again. And as soon as they returned to Montana, she was legally switching back to her maiden name. Suddenly, she couldn’t do it fast enough, and she didn’t care how many forms she had to fill out to make it happen. Hopefully, she could expedite the process, and she was willing to pay however much extra it might cost.

Scott: Fine, whatever. I’m on The Strip right now. What hotel are you at?

He might be a pain in her ass, but Scott was harmless, so she wasn’t scared to go down alone. But she also didn’t want to sneak down without telling Lex and possibly worrying him, so she texted back: I’m at the Avernus. Lex and I will meet you in the lobby.

Scott: Be there in 5.

Shaking her head, frustrated with her ex and disappointed he’d managed to ruin the sexy encounter she’d been envisioning with Lex, she stepped back into the room to see Lex pocketing his phone. “Scott just texted.” He arched a brow. “He said he has intel and wants to meet us down in the lobby.”

A dark shadow flitted over his face, and he frowned. “What kind of intel?”

“He said it’s about The Broker and whatever’s in the container.”

“Where did he get this information?” Lex asked, crossing his arms.

She shrugged. “I don’t know. You don’t believe him?” Lex didn’t respond. “Why would he lie?”

“It just seems…convenient.”

“What do you mean?” She tilted her head, studying his suspicious expression.

“He knew exactly jack shit when we spoke an hour ago. And now he suddenly has intel?” Lex shook his head and reached for his gun. “I call bullshit.”

“Well, let’s go find out.”

But Lex hesitated. “I’m not sure if it’s safer for you to stay up here and wait or—”

“I’m coming with you,” she insisted. “This is my ex, my problem, and I refuse to throw it all on you. It’ll be fine. Scott is harmless.” He still didn’t look entirely convinced, so she softly added, “I’ll be with you. That’s where I’m safest.”

“Damn straight.” He took her hand and they walked out. With his fingers twined through hers, she felt invincible. Like they could take on anything The Mechanic or The Broker threw their way. The fact Lex listened to her was nice. But even more so, he took what she said seriously, unlike Scott who had always downplayed her abilities.