Page 75 of Dark Endures

“Almost happened. Thanks for that.” I wrap my arm a little tighter around her.

Canyon grins. “Anytime. The council is going to love hearing about this at the next meeting.”

WHAT? “No one hears a word about this.”

“I thought we have no secrets from our brothers?” Canyon throws my words back at me. “Or is that only when we’re hunting for a rat?”

“How is it hiding this well?” It’s infuriating.

A sports car slips in front of us and brake-checks us. “The idiots are out today.”

I shift Mindy to ensure she doesn’t move whatever the idiots on the road might do. Her soft, sweet breath tickles my neck.

There’s torment, then there’s having a woman in your arms that you’re falling for that doesn’t feel the same.

“Rats are crafty. Or dumb.” Canyon shakes his head.

Dumb. “That’s it.”

Mindy moves and then nuzzles in closer. My voice must have been a little too loud, but I definitely am not complaining. It’s good to know she’s a cuddler.

“What?”

“The rat might not have known what he did?”

“Huh?”

“Have you ever unintentionally told someone something? It wouldn’t need to be much. Just a small clue. Plant is smart. And whoever is running this operation is even smarter.” How didn’t I think about this sooner?

“So how do we find a rat that isn’t one?”

That’s a good question. One for a day when I’m not holding Mindy in my arms.

***

The truck comes to a stop behind my office building. We rarely allow any vehicles to drive down the roads here because of all the kids we have wandering around.

“What are you going to do?” Canyon nods to the woman I never want to let go of.

There’s no way I want to wake her up. “Open the door for me.”

“On it.” He runs around the truck as I unbuckle Mindy and shift her into my arms.

“She’s still asleep.”

Right now, I doubt even a freight train could wake her up.

“You know, people are going to find out.”

Undoubtedly. “Try to give me a few weeks.”

He snorts.

It’s a pipe dream with the way gossip spreads around here.

How does this woman feel so perfect in my arms? I never want to let her go, and I certainly don’t want her near the half-naked pretty boy.

As tempting as it is to bring her to my apartment and settle her in my bed—Mindy in my home—that’s not an option.

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