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He snaps his head to me, his face full of the same fury I’m feeling. “I know that, Scott. That’s why I’m here. I could have easily passed you by on this, but it wasn’t a smart decision. You know your shit, you have a level head, and fuck if you’re not clever. So, lose the attitude and get on board because we have a lot of work to do.”

Captain slices his eyes to mine, daring me to say something else. I cross my arms and look at Kelly to continue.

“Our man is now in a club outside of town. It’s an exclusive and private group. He’s been training and hasn’t gotten to the main floor yet, and they’ve kept him out of sight. He was recruited by one of his regulars at the hotel. High dollar man that scooped him up when the raid went down.”

“This old man is getting lost. Can you help me out?” Captain sits at the head of the table and looks at Kelly expectantly.

“We’ll know more in the next few days because they’re putting him on the schedule starting tomorrow night. It’s an invite only establishment. He’s signed a privacy clause—no talking outside the club, no discussing what he hears—and get this—no sleeping with the clientele.”

“That doesn’t sound too out of the ordinary, seeing as it’s good business sense.”

“Yes, but he’s got a gut feeling there’s more to it. It may be a long shot; however, this could be a great place for five out-of-towners to discuss moving drugs.”

“So is a golf course. This is a huge conclusion. Lots of balls in the air on this one.”

“Maybe, but there’s a lot of chatter about more car thefts over the next seven days. Word is they’re trying to occupy the local police to take any eyes off them.”

“Now, that makes sense.” I begin to understand the whole round-a-bout way of thinking.

He starts talking again, but my eyes zoom in on the still playing video. There’s a brunette and a platinum blonde sitting at the bar, laughing and drinking, obviously not aware of what’s going on around them. The blonde asks for the bill while the brunette gets up to leave. I’m struck immediately by familiarity of her body as she folds off the stool and strolls away. I remember seeing her briefly, but I was too focused on the job.

Not to mention, I haven’t looked at another woman since seeing Emi for the first time.

But the way this woman walks, her steps becoming a strut as she passes by is so natural. My blood runs cold, catching the brief glimpse of her ass.

It couldn’t be. Nothing about this woman resembles Emi… except that ass.

And that strut…

I shake my head and steer back to the blonde who’s paying the bill and following her friend. She’s completely unfamiliar, nothing striking me as odd.

I scrub my eyes with the pads of my hands and turn back to Kelly and the Captain who are now discussing strategy. As Kelly reveals details, it becomes clear. This case is going to be my life for the next week.

I walk into my house and smile when I spot Emi curled on my couch sleeping soundly. She said she’d try to wait up, but I knew when I spoke to her earlier, she wouldn’t make it. Quietly, I toe off my shoes and lay my keys, wallet, and gun on the side table before going to her.

“Hey, sleepyhead.” I curl in behind her, kissing her cheek lightly.

“Walker?”

“Who else would it be?”

She turns into me with a sleepy smile and runs her hand along my cheek. “I didn’t know if I was dreaming.”

“Nope, I’m here.”

“Did your day get any better?”

“Yes, about ten seconds ago.”

Her face starts to glow and she leans in to kiss me. “Can you tell me about it?”

“Car theft expanded over the state and is causing concern. We’re looking into a few reasons, including drug smuggling.” I glaze over the details.

“Well, shit, that sucks.”

“We’ve got it under control.”

“I have no doubt you’ll get them. It sounds like you’ll be wrapped up all weekend.”