Chapter 36
THIRTY-SIX
COLTEN
Islip from the bed once Lexi falls asleep, her body curling around my pillow as if she’s seeking me out in her sleep.
Pulling myself away from her is almost impossible, but there are leads I need to follow to ensure nothing like what happened today ever happens again.
This motherfucker is going down, because although he might be good, I’m better.
Somewhere along the way, he has to have made a mistake, and I’m going to find it.
I tug on a pair of sweatpants and move through the apartment to gather my laptop before returning to the bedroom. I drop onto the couch at the end of the bed, where I have a perfect view of my sleeping woman, settling the part of me that can’t stand the idea of her not being in the same room.
I open my laptop and read through a few emails that can wait to be dealt with later. Things in the business have been blissfully quiet the last couple of days, and I’m hoping it will stay that way until we track down the asshole after Lexi or until Cruz gets back.
Wouldn’t that be a dream?
He better not think he’s ever going on another holiday, because I am not cut out for the life of a Mafia boss.
Once I’m sure the business isn’t going to burn down, I work on tracking the IP attached to the guy’s Fan Faves account, but unsurprisingly, I come up empty.
It’s getting easier and easier to hide your IP address, so I wasn’t expecting to get much from the search.
Next I move on to the burner number he used to text Lexi today. He knows what he’s doing, which means he’s probably done this before.
The unsettling thought has me rubbing at the pressure in my chest.
Another woman may have been in the same position Lexi is right now, but she may not have had the same resources behind her.
Once I have more to go off, I’ll get in touch with our contact at the FBI and see if there’s any kind of pattern.
I could just hack into their systems, but I don’t feel like dealing with their agents showing up at the door if they catch on.
All I’m able to confirm about the burner is that it wasn’t purchased in Seattle, but it was activated here last week.
As far as I can tell, he’s only used the phone to contact Lexi, meaning if he has done this before, he keeps one phone per target.
I flick back to his Fan Faves profile and scan through the information he’s provided. It’s more than likely all false, but he may have sprinkled some truths in with the lies.
At least until a small gray ball of fluff comes from nowhere, flopping right in the middle of my keyboard.
I stare down at the cat, who looks up at me with sweet, innocent eyes. “Hello. Can I help you?”
She lets out a small meow, and my brows dip in confusion.
I read the instructions her foster family sent with her multiple times, and it’s too early for her to eat, but the way her bright green eyes stare up at me has me doubting myself.
Pancake nudges my hand, her soft fur brushing against my calloused skin.
Taking the hint, I pat her softly, which sets off the loudest purr I’ve ever heard.
Okay, so maybe that’s not saying much seeing as this is my first pet, and the only other cat I’ve ever been around is Mr. Whiskers, who, although he doesn’t loathe me like he does Cruz, doesn’t like me enough to purr.
“Are you supposed to make that noise?” I ask the feline.
She headbutts my palm so hard I pull back, worried she may have hurt herself, but she just stares up at me expectantly.
“Not so rough, you’ll make your mom worry.”
“Are you having a conversation with the cat?” A sleepy voice comes from the bed, and my eyes shoot up to meet Lexi’s amused ones.
“We’re getting to know each other,” I tell her. “Plus, she decided my laptop is a comfortable place to sit.”
Her eyes light up as they flick between me and Pancake. “You’re a rather adorable pair.” She slips out from between the sheets, and I manage a peek at her perfect body before she wraps her robe around herself.
Lexi crosses the room and drops down beside me. She reaches over to pat Pancake, but her eyes snag on the screen. “What are you up to?”
“Seeing what I can find on the guy that tried to take you,” I tell her honestly. After lying to her for longer than I care to admit, it’s refreshing to tell her the truth without hesitation.
“Oh.” She worries her bottom lip between her teeth, and Pancake immediately trades in the laptop keyboard for Lexi’s lap, as if she can tell her human needs her comfort.
I’ve heard of animals being in tune with their owner’s emotions, but I didn’t think Pancake would be at that point for a while.
Lexi runs her fingers through the cat’s fur. “Have you found anything?”
“Not yet.” I shake my head. “And until we do, I need you to stick close. I’m going to try to work from here as much as possible, and on the days I have to go into the office, I’d like if you could come with me. It would make me feel a lot better to have you with me.”
She considers my request for a moment before nodding. “Okay. But only until the threat is gone. I’m not going to give up my life just because we’re together now.”
“So you’re admitting we’re together, then?” I smirk.
She rolls her eyes. “Considering your cum is still dripping out of me, I think it’s pretty safe to say we’re together.”
My cock twitches at that idea, and I groan, dropping my head back against the couch. “How am I ever going to get anything done now I know what it’s like to be inside your perfect pussy?”
She giggles and leans her head on my shoulder. “I guess you’ll just have to make sure you get your fill on a regular basis.”
My laugh fills the room, and I wrap an arm around her shoulders, tugging her and Pancake against me.
Is this what having a home feels like?
For the first time in my life, I have a glimpse of a real family, and there’s nothing I won’t do to protect them.