Page 26 of Fear the Reaper
I rubbed my eyes and focused on him. “I’m no good for her. I carry this weight on my shoulders—I can pull the trigger like breathing. She needs a man who hasn’t committed all the sins I have.”
“Reaper, I think you’re talking out your ass.”
I grunted. “I don’t think anyone knows what Star wants but maybe Star.”
“No?” Kujo quirked a brow. “Why don’t I take a crack at it? Nova needs a man who will be loyal her. A man who will love her and be proud of her when she does something amazing like, carry his child. She’s just wants love—and maybe a little of the kinky stuff.”
I laughed softly. The memory of how she reacted when I pulled her hair came back to me and I groaned. Kujo was right. Nova was a sexy little freak and I could enjoy that. I didn’t want to walk away from her. But, deep down, I knew I didn’t deserve to stay.
Kujo must have sensed my pain for he changed the topic. I drank some water and sighed in appreciation. We talked about what was happening with Nova and the person trying to kill her. We tossed around ideas—in the end, all of them led back to Roger. It just didn’t make any sense for it to be anyone else. I even tossed in Estelle—in the end, somehow, it circled back to Roger.
By the time Swede called us on video chat, my brain was starting to throb.
“Hey fellas—where’s Star?” Swede asked.
“Upstairs,” I replied. “Do we need her for this?”
“Afraid so.”
I excused myself and lumbered up the steps. Instead of barging in, I knock and waited. Nova opened the door, wrapped in a sheet and I smiled. Her hair was bed tousled. How I wished I was the one to make it that messy.
I smiled. “I think Swede’s got something.”
She pressed her finger to my lips then used her chest to ease me back out of the doorway. I glared at her.
“Estelle finally fell asleep.” She whispered, unwrapping herself from the sheet. “Come on.”
I followed her perfectly rounded ass down the corridor and stairs before it disappeared into a chair. I shifted at the computer so we could all be seen and the meeting started.
“Star, do you know a Brian Stromwell?” Swede asked.
Star seemed contemplative for a silent moment before shaking her head. “I don’t think so. It’s a familiar enough name. Why?”
“Well, one of the guys Kujo and Reaper clocked at Estelle’s come back to a group of men who works for him. They sell their services to the highest bidder—usually to do wet work.”
“Um…” She looked at me. “Wet work?”
“Murder for hire,” I replied.
After the words left my lips I wished I’d eased into that. I saw it the moment her heart slipped from her chest. Though I wanted to ease in close to her even to hold her hand, I remained where I was standing.
“So, we have to find Brian and hopefully he’ll lead us to whoever hired him.” I met Swede’s gaze on the computer. “I really don’t want to drop anymore bodies. I’m assuming the cops are asking questions?”
“Yeah.” Swede nodded. “But we’ve handled it. What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking you find Brian and we tail him,” I said.
Swede smirked.
“You found him already, didn’t you?” Star asked.
“Sending all the info to Reaper’s phone right now.” Swede did an over-embellished smash of the enter key. “At the speed of light my pretties. Be safe—call if you need help. Kujo, the boss needs you rested.”
“Aye-ay captain!” Kujo offered a mock salute.
“Smart ass.” Swede laughed and was gone.
I chuckled at the two of them but kept my eyes on Star. She seemed tired.
