Page 72 of Burning Ember

Dozer slaps his hand on top of mine and pushes it back. “I’ll save it for you. You can continue to kick their asses when you get back.”

“I’m pretty tired—”

“What’s wrong, little stray, Kool-Aid makin’ you sleepy, or are the big boys harder to beat than you thought?”

I open my mouth to give a smartass retort, but Dozer beats me to it. “Go, babe. Then come back and teach these boys a lesson.”

I feel Mav’s heated gaze on my back as I walk through the main room. The party’s in high gear. It’s close to eleven on a Tuesday, so it’ll probably wind down in a few hours.

Before I can push on the bathroom door, it’s yanked open and a girl I’ve seen a few times, a hang-around, comes out. She sizes me up, wipes her nose, and saunters past me to get back to the party.

I groan loudly as I enter and see the state of the bathroom. Toilet paper is strung all around the wet floor. Used paper towels left there like someone halfheartedly tried to clean it up. Thankfully, it’s only clear liquid. I clean that first before I notice the mirrors. Not only are they splashed with water and hairspray, but also they have a million fingerprints all over them. Why anyone needs to touch the damn mirror as they fix their hair or make-up is beyond my knowledge.

Grumbling and cursing under my breath—something I’m doing more and more of late—I straighten the mess, knowing full well that if I don’t, I’ll just have to clean up tomorrow.

It’s a good while before I return to the poker table. When I do, I see Lily at the end of the bar talking to Rigor. All the guys are now at the table even Bodie and Goose. Mav is speaking to them.

I hear him say, “Henry Manfield. Came in through the tip line a few days ago. All Rodriquez would say is the guy witnessed a shooter in a dark sedan take down two motorists. Then the gunman got out, walked up to the two bodies, and shot the male three more times. It matches up with the police report and ballistics. I’ve got Whiz digging for everything he can get on this Henry guy. Addresses, family, friends. He’s skipped town and he’s not using his credit cards. Most likely, he got wind of who Cap is and decided to disappear. We need to track him down and get him to talk before anyone else does.”

“Agreed.” Dozer’s the first to speak up. The men join in.

Dozer notices me and gives me a sly smile. “You fall in?”

Mav turns around but I keep my eyes on Dozer so I don’t get worked back up. All the guys relax and I can tell by their body language the conversation is over. I’m not sure though if it’s because of my presence or because Mav was finished speaking to them.

“Someone got the floor in the bathroom all wet. I cleaned it up.”

Bodie exits my seat and gestures to me to take it. I hesitate. I really don’t want to sit between Dozer and Mav. However, that does seem to be where I’m always finding myself these days. Between the two of them. Oh God, I must be drunk. Because an image ofmebetween them runs through my mind and, dear heaven, that is not something my mind or body could handle.

“Tell me you washed your hands,” Bodie quips. He takes up a seat across from me and next to Taz.

I hold my hands up. “Nope, I thought you could lick them clean.”

Jade scrunches up her nose. Dozer and Griz find that hilarious. I take my seat and Mav’s leg yet again falls against mine. Only this time his hand is resting on it and his fingers brush against my thigh, effectively awaking every inch of my body.

“There’s plenty of you I’d like to lick clean, ginger, but not your hands,” is Bodie’s reply.

Mav growls.

Bodie’s eyes shift to Mav, and then he clarifies. “After the party, of course.”

“How’re Blaire and the kids? They doin’ okay? Didn’t you just come from there like ten damn minutes ago?” Taz throws out.

“Butt the fuck out of my business.”

“I would, if you’d stop actin’ like a horny teen that can’t think of nothin’ but dippin’ your wick in anything within five feet of you.”

“Like you fuckin’ don’t?”

“I—”

Mav points at them both. “Knock it the fuck off.” Taz and Bodie trade glares but don’t say another word.

“You back in or what, little stray?” Taz snaps a second later while he rolls his shoulders and pops his chin in my direction. I’m about to say no thanks, but Dozer nudges me. Twice.

“Okay, but I’m getting tired. I’m going to call it a night pretty soon.”

The game resumes and talk turns to the party.