Page 59 of Lips On My Heart

“It’s not so simple. We don’t know for sure who it is right now. Whoever the fucker is, I want him caught. The bastard sniffed her perfume and swiped her panties and who knows what else—I want him alive and to be able to make the choice when the time comes as what to do with him. But the cops are aware of her limp-dick ex and they’re not going to be happy with us getting involved with any of the suspects,” I say with regret because I would love to go and fetch Jacob myself.

“What I want is recon. I want eyes and ears all over the fucking city. Chase is going to focus on our past assailants who show the most potential to come after us. Ziggy and Butch will be helping him once they come back. Punk is going to lead Eagle and Stage on surveillance at the build site. Josephine doesn’t believe the assailant would be one of her original crew members, but there’s been a second crew hired. Focus your attention to the new crew but interview them all.

“Gauge will lead Triple and Flay’s surveillance on Josephine’s past clients. Gauge, when you go to question Lorenzo, I want to be present. Reaper and Brass, you will do surveillance on Jacob Klein and report to me. You will go civilian and not wear your cuts—I don’t want this fucker to know we’re watching him. She will not be allowed to be alone at any time. I will do protection detail. If I’m not available, one of you will fill my spot.”

Punk raises his hand, an amused smirk spreads across his face. “Is Jo all on board with this whole operation, or is she going to give us all hell every step of the way?”

Asshole.He already knows that Jo’s going to be a handful. He’s just enjoying my discomfort. All I can do is glower at him.

Punk snorts. “Got it. All is good with team J-aceo.”

I roll my eyes as there rest of my brothers laugh at my expense.

“You have your assignments. Report anything suspicious no matter how minor the detail. Oh, and be good to Hades or he’ll make your balls his chew toy. Meeting adjourned.”

“HOOYAH!” they shout before dispersing.

My phone buzzes with a text from Luke.

*Talked with the ex-boyfriend. Claims he was at the hotel all night, but he seemed nervous.*

The fucker should be nervous. I’m certain he’s our number one suspect. I respond.

*He’s hiding something.*

*Agreed. Keeping an eye on him.*

I pocket my phone and head to the bedroom. Josephine said she had no problem sharing the room with the guys, as long as I was with her. Off to bed, my roomies and I go to catch a couple hours rest.

As I come down the hall, I watch as Chase lets himself in with a yawn, but Gauge and Punk stand outside the door. I can hear Hades growling from the inside.

I chuckle. “My pixie was right. You guys are babies.”

Gauge glares at me. “The dog is fucking guarding the door and showing his teeth. Sorry if I don’t want to step over him and have my nuts exposed.” Punk nods in agreement.

“Gauge, baby, are you going to come and keep me warm or not?” Opal calls from his bunk.

Like a siren’s song, Opal is impossible for Gauge to resist. With a deep breath, Gauge enters the room. Punk hesitates a second more before following, hopscotching over Hades to get to his bed. Everyone settles in and I go to crawl in next to my sleeping beauty.

I stop and stare down at her sleeping form. She has taken out her braids and her hair is all over the place in gorgeous waves, one arm up by her face and another across her stomach. Her perfect rose lips are parted, and her face looks peaceful.

I look at her body and see she has removed her bra. Her nipples are poking through her tank top. If we were alone, I would lean over and bite them. She removed her jeans and is only covered by her thin panties.

Ah, shit! My woman could pass for a centerfold the way she looks right now.

Possessive as I always am with her, I make sure my brothers aren’t checking her out. Their eyes focus everywhere else as they climb into their beds. They’ve learned quickly I’m territorial.

My attention returns to her. She’s so fucking beautiful, it hurts. I rub my chest to ease the pain.

In my moment of bliss, Hades takes the opportunity to hop into my bed. Subconsciously, Josephine rolls to snuggle against her beast.

“No, no, no,” I whisper to him. “She’s my cuddle partner.”

Hades only looks up at me with a raised eyebrow, saying ‘you snooze, you lose.’

With a surrendering sigh, I concede. The dog has been through hell tonight. He deserves to sleep with the person he feels safe with. I grab an extra pillow and blanket from the closet and lay down on the floor next to my pixie. I could take the couch out in the living room, but I want to be as close to Josephine as possible.

Plus, if any of the bunnies haven’t found a bed to share with one of my men tonight, the living room is theirs. I’m not about to go out there and lay on the couch, only to have Candy roll in and try to climb on me. Sleeping on a carpeted floor definitely beats some of the places I have slept in my life. With that in mind, I settle in.

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