Read Online Criminal Instinct by Kelly Lynn Parra - Free Book Online

“Don’t bother. He’ll be fine.”
    When she tried to pass him, Jax laid a warm arm across her stomach. She slapped his hand aside. Not hard, but enough to get it away from her.
    “ Move ,” she said.
    “Take it easy, tough guy.” His mouth tugged up in amusement. “I want to tell you about that proposition I mentioned.”
    She crossed her arms. “So, let’s have it.”
    “I figure this is the perfect opportunity to see who’s the better player. Which one of us can pull this off and get the answer to the sixty-four-thousand-dollar question—who’s expecting the shipment of X and where?”
    Ana frowned, mentally searching for a trap.
    “Unless you’re too scared because you know who will win,” Jax challenged.
    The guy knew what buttons to push. “I’ll have this thing wrapped up before you even have your first lead.”
    Jax smiled bright and sweet. A real pisser since his smile made his rugged face even more appealing.
    “Good.” He held out his hand. She shook it.
    Then his eyelids drifted lower, and his voice went deep. “And when I win, chiquita , I get to take you out with the privilege of having you in my bed.”
     
    Sarge checked his wristwatch when Ana walked in behind Jax. He looked antsy. Actually, antsy was an understatement: he looked like he was trying to grind a path in the hardwood floor in front of his desk.
    Ana wasn’t exactly jumping for joy, either. Not with Jax’s proposition spinning in her mind.
    If she won, Jax promised to be out of her face for a week. Somehow this didn’t balance the stakes, since she was supposed to jump in his bed as his prize if he won. Especially since the latter broke rule 501: no fraternizing between SIDE members. But if she’d learned anything growing up in the system, it was that going with the flow was the best choice.
    She’d just have to win the bet. No sweat.
    When Sarge finally saw her, he bit out, “You’re late. Where’s Skates?”
    “That’s what I was about to tell you. The kid ate some bad fish or something.”
    His lips disappeared under his thick mustache.
    “He’d been on the toilet for the past half hour and wasn’t looking so hot. I offered him my pad to rest.”
    He took three strides and was toe-to-toe with her. “Are you telling me he left without speaking with me or Jay?”
    Her insides jolted at his closeness, but she held her ground, tilting her head to meet his eyes. “I’m telling you, he’s bad. Sick as a dog.” Then she played her trump card. “Would I risk getting written up for him, if it wasn’t the truth?” Usually, this would be a valid question. Sarge and everyone else knew she was all for saving herself first.
    “Jay, check the system. Make sure Skates is where Switch says he is. If he isn’t, there’ll be a price to pay for both of them. If it’s true, I want his butt here so I can see for myself.” Jay-man left the room. “Have a seat.”
    He turned his back and relief settled in her as she sat. Maybe the kid would be feeling better by the time he returned to the firehouse. She’d at least bought him some time to sober up.
    Everyone was silent. Digit and Romeo studied Sarge as if he were some kind of feared monster.
    That’s the way Sarge liked it. When he talked, he wanted everyone to listen. Too bad he didn’t always get what he wanted.
    “Skates tell you about any leads?”
    “As a matter a fact, he mentioned he’d received word of a dealer named Derek Meyer who deals for Salvador Tyler. Hangs at the Ink Dome. Bald, lots of tatts. Distinctive skull tattoo on his head.” She nodded her chin in Jax’s direction. “Jax’s sort of place.”
    Jax gave her a bored look. “Right. That place’s for gays.”
    She grinned. “I rest my case.”
    “Enough,” Sarge interrupted. “Anything else?”
    Her smile fell away. “Just that I managed a first glimpse of Jonas Saven today.”
    The room went still.
    “Bullshit,” Jax said. “What are the chances of you running into him today? One