Page 189 of Wild Card

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“Iamgoing to spend the night with Chase and Wyatt.”

Chase gave me a heads up an hour ago Willow was on a tangent. It didn’t take a detective to know why.

It’s been four days since we completed our SWAT applications. The process typically takes time, but we’d heard that our names made the cut for the next stage.

I intentionally kept the news from Willow.

Apparently, she overheard Rowan and Ford this afternoon.

Chase said she called him in a snit, bitching about me keeping secrets.

She’s barely spoken since I got home, pretending to study.

Bull-fucking-shit.

The woman is as transparent as spring water.

“You’re not running to your brother.”

My dick goes rock solid as she shoots lethal daggers my way. “I am.”

“Drop the bag, Princess. We have plans.”

“My plans are heading to my brother’s house for a much needed night with my nephew.”

Shit, I want to be deep inside her with that sass. I force myself to push off the doorframe and go to her, toss the bag, and hoist her over my shoulder.

She lets out an audible whoosh and beats on my back.

“Let me down!”

“Not a chance.”

Rowan is out on the porch with the dogs. She laughs and waves as we pass through the house.

“Talon Simms! Do not manhandle me.” She squirms and wriggles, kicking her feet high in the air.

I take us through the garage and deposit her on the seat of my bike. Her face is flushed, but her eyes go wide when she sees the new helmet beside her.

“Put it on, babe. We’re going for a ride.”

Her gaze lights with excitement, and for a split-second, her irritation vanishes then returns with a little less ire. “Now you want to take me for a ride? I’ve been waiting forever and now I don’t even want to go.”

“Liar.”

“Wait! You may need this.” Rowan hurries to us, handing me a bag with the familiar logo I asked her to pick up this afternoon. “Have fun!” She rushes back into the house before Willow can question her.

I take the lightweight jacket out of the bag, slip it on Willow, and zip it up.

She runs her hands over her chest and abdomen, her face in awe. “How did you know?”

“Baby, you’ve been looking at this jacket every day online.”

“I was watching for a sale.”

“It’s yours.”

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