Chapter 13 #2
She smirked darkly at Blake. “And the fuck they are going to put one of our femmes at risk with their games. Make book on that, cuz, because Kel, Piper, Sabine, and Brooke will collectively swing the hammer and pound them like pegs into the ground if they don’t cut the shit.
” As the team burst out laughing, Blake visibly relaxed.
“When are you due to make a personal appearance again in Purgatory, broki?” Riley asked when the laughter had died down.
“Early next week, if I stick to my usual schedule. Since Cyb3rmoon has been around for over a year and knows my habits, me behaving like everything is business as usual in Purgatory won’t set off any red flags for her.
At this point, I’d like to avoid tipping her off that APS is wiser to her snooping than she believes we are. ”
Bryn nodded in agreement. “Our priority is to focus on Brooke and the Reflex embezzlement scam, along with any other schemes they have going on in the Tampa Bay area. Drew, continue to keep an eye on our friend in Purgatory for now. Just let us know what her real interest is in Rob Kilgore when you find out, broki.” Drew nodded.
“Whatever Kilgore and Clay Langston have up their sleeve that’s caught Cyb3rmoon’s attention, it isn’t necessarily something of concern to APS and our charter, or to Brooke, as intriguing as it might be. ” Her gaze sharpened.
“Blake, we’re positive your woman won’t have to make any more on-site appearances in Cask & Canvas to meet with those dicks?”
“No. Now that she has sign-off on the concept, she and Gene Wheeler can accomplish anything else regarding the final label art online, she said. Brooke technically doesn’t have to go into the microbrewery again until those storyboards are complete.”
“What have the tails you’ve put on the Reflex partners found out so far?” asked Kenn.
Blake snorted. “Apparently, the four of them have made some sleazy Pinellas Park dive their unofficial headquarters—The Hideout, which I know you are familiar with—which stands to reason, if they need to hire muscle to steal product and equipment from the microbreweries. It also becomes more apparent every day that Kilgore is the brains behind this operation. We’re still digging. ”
After the team agreed to touch base again in their daily staff meeting the next morning, Blake blew out a deep breath as she rose to go.
“Now, I get to go home and tell my woman about the shit those fuckers were considering before Sandy Wheeler was given the all-clear on her breast cancer diagnosis. That has me furious. I know Brooke is strong and she’ll get through this, but goddamn.
“You better hope and pray none of those dirtbags ends up with a bullet buried in the brain at the end of this. I’ve waited a long, long time for Brooke Marino to be mine, and I will destroy anything that hurts her.
There’s a reason Utopia is my domain. Reflex had better hope they don’t find out the reason why firsthand. ”
?ω?ω?ω?
Curled up on the couch with Blake, finally calm, Brooke wiped the residual tears off her face.
“I still can’t wrap my head around it, Blake.
Who in their right mind would even think body trafficking is a thing in the first place?
I don’t…it’s not… Good God.” Growling, Brooke gritted, “You realize it’s a good thing I don’t have to see any of them anymore, right?
Because my girls and I would be harvesting some seriously shriveled balls if I did. ”
Handing her a Kleenex, Blake then kissed the tip of her nose after Brooke had cleaned up her face.
“Believe me, we know. Even though I knew you were going to be devastated when I told you, which sent me right over the edge, the management team—including Kelly and Piper—reminded me that you are one of the strongest women we know. Although I have to admit…at first, Kelly and Piper were ready to grab Sabine and go on the rampage with you.”
“I love my girls.” Brooke sighed. She snuggled closer to Blake. “However, it sounds as though there is no danger to Sandy, now that there’s no opportunity for those clowns to pull anything that fucked-up with her. Ick, just thinking about the contamination that rolls off them makes my skin crawl.”
Kissed Brooke again more thoroughly, Blake whispered, “I think I need to order something from the Pier House Grill, we can both take a shower while we’re waiting for our food, then we can eat and forget about this shitshow of a day for a while.
And then, my tigress, I can indulge in my dessert while I’m listening to you scream for me. ”
“Only if I get to have my wicked way with you, too,” Brooke whispered back, running her fingers under the waistband of Blake’s cargo pants. “Have Wade send some of that yummy chocolate mousse he makes. I have this burning urge all of a sudden to see how it tastes when I lick it off your body.”
With her own growl, Blake cupped Brooke’s breasts, a gleam in her eyes.
“It’s a deal, tigress. Beware, however, because there might not be much of you left by the time I’m done with you.
I am very serious about my dessert, you know, especially when it’s as delectable as you are.
Right now, though,” Brooke quaked at the wicked smile that curled Blake’s mouth, “I think I need to order dinner, before I’m eating something else. ”