Page 20 of Surviving in Everton

I just stand there watching him do his thing on his computer… computers? I mean there has to be more than one right? Either way, now I understand how he knows so much about everything. I knew the guy was a genius, but I can’t even keep track of all the stuff flying across the screens. Suddenly, a picture pops up on every screen in the room. I look at West in question and he points to the screens.

“Him. That’s Brad. He’s a fucking loser. Gets by on Daddy’s money. Almost flunked out of school, but no one would go against Daddy Dearest. He would be my first suspect. He has a reputation with girls that turn him down. If Rowen snubbed him, I wouldn’t put it past him to do something like this,” he tells me, then reaches down and grabs something from under the desk. “Here’s all of his details. Phone and address, job schedule, names and info of friends and family, pretty much anything you would need to know about him and how to find him.” He hands me a stack of papers and I somehow manage to take them, even in my stupefied state.

“How? You just found all of this shit?” I ask, mouth hanging open.

“It’s what I do.” He shrugs. As if that’s all there is to it, no big deal. Dude is scary.

“Well, thanks, man. I really appreciate it. And I speak for all of us.”

“No problem. Just find out who did this. If you need more help, you know how to find me.” I’m surprised by his offer, but it’s one I won’t turn down.

I leave West, with the promise to call him if this doesn’t pan out and head down to my car. Once I get situated in the driver’s seat, I send out a group text to all the guys.

Me:West got us a lead. Meet at the house ASAP!

Kayden:Hell yeah! Closing the fucking shop!

Hudson:I’ll call Mikey.

Nate:Just woke up. I’ll be in the kitchen drinking my fucking coffee.

Declan:Fuck! How important is this powwow? I can’t get out of class.

Me:We know Dec. It’ll be ok, don’t worry about it. We’ll tell you everything when you get home.

Declan:I really wish you assholes could wait til I’m actually THERE to talk about important shit.

Hudson:Dec is right. Everyone stay at work. We’ll all meet up at the house when Dec gets off. Ayden, just leave your intel in the car and come to the bakery. Kayden, don’t close the damn shop. Nate, drink some damn coffee. You’re not you when you’re tired.

Awesome, leader Hudson to the rescue. I’m glad he did that though, I really don’t like leaving Declan out of these important conversations. I’m just anxious to share my news and get the guys after this asshole.

Me:I’m sorry Dec. I just want to share what West gave me. I wasn’t tryin’ to leave you out.

Declan:It’s fine, I feel the same way, but I can’t just drop everything and run home like y’all can. We’ll talk about it when I get home. Or we all get to Rowe’s that is.

I chuckle to myself at that. Bet she had no idea when she moved into Dec’s huge house that it would end up being the designated meeting spot. Putting my phone down, my thoughts wander to her and how she’s coping, as I head to the bakery.

* * *

I pullinto the parking lot behind the bakery ten minutes later. I can’t wait to see Rowen. I haven’t seen her since we left her with Declan last night, and knowing Declan like I do, I have questions. Hopefully, the bakery isn’t too busy so I can actually ask her some of them. Not that I expect her to actually answer any of them, but I wanna see her blush when I bring it up. Walking into the kitchen I’m amazed at my good luck. Rowen is at one of the counters mixing something. She hasn’t noticed me yet, so I sneak up behind her, wrap my arms around her waist and start kissing her neck.

“Ayden! What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at work?” she questions as she leans into me.

I tighten my arms around her and nip her earlobe. “How’d you know it was me?” I pout.

“Well, for one, Hudson wouldn’t do that while we’re working, even if he wasn’t busy. Declan is at work, Kayden called on his lunch break to tell me he wished he could be here with me instead of at the shop, and last I heard Nate was still sleeping. Plus, Nate would not have been quiet and sneaky if he found me alone in a room.” She chuckles, and I can’t disagree with her on any of those counts.

“Well, I definitely don’t have a problem with a hot makeout session in the kitchen while you’re at work,” I whisper into her ear then continue kissing down her neck.

She moans, rubbing her ass against my cock. With the feel of her against me, my restraint dissolves and I spin her around and pull her to my chest then slam my lips to hers. She lets me in as soon as I tease her lips with my tongue. Holding her with one arm wrapped around her, the palm of my hand pressing against the center of her back, my other hand holds her by the back of her neck. She groans into my mouth as I plunder hers, I can taste all of the sweets she’s eaten today as she wraps her hand behind my neck, holding me to her. I slide my hands down her back until I grip her ass and use it to pick her up. She’s quick to wrap her legs around my waist. Never once breaking our kiss.

I’m seriously debating fucking her right here on the counter when I’m pulled out of my Rowen fog by the clearing of a throat, followed by a very sarcastic, “Gee, hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

I swear to god, I’m going to kill this woman. I had Rowe right where I wanted her. Why did she have to walk innow? Of course, Rowen pulls back as soon as she hears the voice.

“Quinn?! What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at work or something?” she asks her the same thing she asked me, except her tone isn’t playful or teasing.

“I mean, I could go if you want. Was just wanting to spend some time with you. It seems like I’ve hardly seen you since youfinallygave in and confessed your love for these morons.” She pouts dramatically.

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