Page 105 of Lake
“Not sure. He is good at staying under the radar, as we all know, but I’ll ask around.”
“Good,” Iron said with a firm nod. “Anyone else got any suggestions?”
No one said anything.
“Alright then. I’ll get Sketch to track down this girl. Maybe she’d be willing to help us and not try to go after whoever this is by herself.”
With that out of the way, he started in on the moves for the next couple of weeks. There was a hand-off with the Irish at the end of the week but I wasn’t needed on that one. Then next week, we were making a run to Moon Hill to drop off some crates. It looked like Ky and I were both going to be on that one. As well as Brand, Charming, B-ry, and Knight. Iron even wanted to send three prospects along with us and I could tell that he didn’t want to take any chances right now.
“Lake, get some rest. I want you at the docks tonight. I’m going to add one more person to the night patrols. If what you suspect is right, I don’t want to leave any openings for girls to get shipped out of the city. Mason, you help out at the garage today.”
The meeting ended and I walked out of there feeling like maybe we’d gotten somewhere, but not really.
Then I went back to my room and crashed hard.
When I woke up a few hours later, I had the need to hear Bridget’s voice. And this time, I didn’t hesitate to call her.
“Hey,” she answered in a sweet but sexy voice that I knew she did on purpose.
“Hi,” I said with a laugh. “Mr. Watkins made me open your gift this morning.”
Oh, yeah, I was totally making it known that it wasn’t my idea to open them early.
Her laugh was beautiful as it filtered into my ear.
“Donottry to get him in trouble.”
“Well, it was all him. I swear.” I laughed again. I loved that I always did with her. She lightened my soul and warmed my heart. “I love it.”
“Really?” she asked like she couldn’t believe that I did. “I mean, I know it’s silly and stupid and probably nothing you’d ever want. But I was walking by this shop and I saw them and this image of the two of you popped into my head. Well, I just couldn’t resist.”
“Bridge,” I said softly trying to stop her verbal runaway train. “Iloveit.” I felt the need to repeat it so she really heard me.
It wasn’t a lie. It was the cutest and most thoughtful gift. It was definitely all her, that was for sure. I wouldn’t have expected something like that, but at the same time, I did only after I opened it. I honestly couldn’t wait to wear it with the old man while we watched game show reruns.
“Did Ed like it?”
“Of course,” I replied.
“I want to see. Model it for me, hot stuff.”
I barked out a laugh and couldn’t believe that I was actually going to do it. Only for her. I couldn’t see myself letting go with anyone else the way I could with Bridget.
“Can you see me?” I asked after I switched over to video and did my best to prop the phone up on the pillows.
“Yeah,” she said with way too much excitement in her tone. “Come on, let me see.”
Shaking my head, I stripped off my cut and placed it on the bed. A second later I had the old man sweater on and was surprised at how soft and comfortable it felt.
“Now show me those model moves. Give me, shy boy.”
I laughed but did my best coy look in her direction.
What the fuck was up with this?
Why?
I had no answers for any of it but the fact that I didn’t hesitate told me a lot. I could make a fool out of myself in front of her and have no regrets about it. And that clued me in to something even deeper.
