Total pages in book: 144
Estimated words: 135382 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 677(@200wpm)___ 542(@250wpm)___ 451(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135382 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 677(@200wpm)___ 542(@250wpm)___ 451(@300wpm)
Brody wasn’t following her at all. She talked fast, spitting out facts with her down-home Texas accent. “He’s one of what?”
“Them. The Lost Boys,” she clarified. “Uncle Ian calls them vagrants, but he calls a lot of people that. It’s a catchall term for him, really. He will see a perfectly dressed guy and call him a vagrant because he’s wearing one of those pork pie hats. I don’t see how that’s an indication of one’s homelessness.”
Brody had to chuckle because Ian was a bastard. He put a hand on Tucker’s shoulder. “He is one of the Lost Boys. You’ll have to forgive him if he doesn’t know he’s acting like a bloody douchebag.”
Tucker frowned again. “I was only trying to test the waters with a beautiful woman. I haven’t had a chance to meet women outside of The Garden and the office. Kay told me it’s different in the outside world and that I needed practice or no one would ever swipe right. I’m not sure what that means but if I want a woman, I have to ensure that she swipes right.”
Sadie suddenly seemed less grim. She looked up at Tucker and gave him a playful grin. “You’re quite symmetrical, Mr. Tucker. And women like more than fitness in their men. They like politeness and kindness and a man who’ll make sure to put them first in the world. If that happens to come with a nice set of abs, then that’s all the better.”
Tucker immediately pulled up his shirt. “I know what abs are. I have abs.”
Sadie put a hand over her eyes and laughed. “I’m glad I didn’t mention anything lower. All right. Since you’re not going to help me with my boss, why don’t you tell me how I can direct you? Just a pointer, again, if you’re here to see Ian, you might wear a flak jacket.”
“I was actually looking for Li O’Donnell.” If Big Tag had his knickers in a twist, he would avoid the man. Besides, Li was the one he needed to talk to. Li was the one who knew where Steph and her boy toy were holed up. Li could make a meeting happen and then he could put this all to rest. He would get the name of the bloke who was threatening her and he would then educate Steph’s new boyfriend on how a man handled himself. If his young charge wanted in on that bit of violence, well, sometimes two sets of hands were better than one.
“Hey, Sadie, has my brother shown up?” Adam Miles walked around the corner.
Sadie frowned at him and pointed a finger his way. “I was warned about you, Mr. Miles. There will be no pranking going on today. I intend to run as tight a ship as my Aunt Grace, and that includes attempting to keep the two of you from doing horrible, juvenile things to each other. You will not touch those lemon squares or I will do something terrible that you will regret for the rest of your life.”
Miles smiled her way, a condescending grin on his face. “Oh, I sincerely doubt you could do violence to anyone.”
“No violence. I’ll call your wife. I have her on speed dial,” Sadie threatened, holding up her heavily bejeweled cell phone like it was a weapon of the first order.
Miles frowned fiercely. “That is rude and unbecoming. It was a tiny little laxative. He wouldn’t have even noticed. No taste. No odor. We all know how that man likes his bathroom time. I was simply trying to give him more of it.”
Well, it was good to know the juvenile pranks weren’t limited to the London office.
“That’s a good idea,” Tucker piped up. “I need to write that down. I’m always looking for ways to liven up a party, if you know what I mean.”
Sadie’s green eyes rolled and it was easy to see she dismissed the man no matter how nice his abdominal muscles were. If only all young ladies were as practical as Sadie. “Oh, thank god. Macon Miles, you are a life saver.” She glanced back as she moved from behind her desk to greet the man who walked into the office carrying a box. “Mr. O’Donnell is in his office. Give me a sec and I’ll let him know you’re here.”
Adam Miles seemed to realize Brody was there. He smiled and held out a hand. “Carter. Hey, man, what’s got you…” His face fell before Brody could even grasp his hand. “Oh, shit. This is better drama than I had planned. I’ll take you back to Li’s office myself.”
“I’ll hang out here,” Tucker offered.
He wasn’t sure that was the best idea. Tucker would annoy the hell out of Sadie, but he might learn a lesson. The women of McKay-Taggart could handle themselves, and it looked like Grace’s niece was no different. If Tucker found himself with his balls being handed back to him, he would learn a lesson in dealing with the fairer sex. “Don’t go too far. We’ll be leaving soon.”