Page 18 of More Bite than Bark

“That was my plan.Not that I told him that.He’s to finish his shift, then let him sleep for a while.I’ll inform him that he’s on shit duty later today.”

Cypher nodded, glancing at the TV then refocusing on his screens.

“I’m still looking into the Anderson family financials, banks are typically a bit more difficult, that doesn’t mean I can’t get in, just that it takes longer.I should have it in a few hours though, then we’ll see where Anderson is planning to get the money to pay off the bookie.”

“Good.Got anything else for me?”

“Not yet.I’ll let you know when I do.”

“See that you do.I’m going to go home, see if Elle is up yet and see what she knows.I’ll let you know if I find anything out.”

“Ten-four.”

Hex carried the insulated coffee cup he’d brought with him out to the common room and filled it with coffee from the pot he’d started when he’d come back in from handing Bobby Lee his ass.After popping off the lid, he went back out and took the golf cart back to his place.

He pulled up and parked the golf cart in front of the house, noticing that Nathan wasn’t on the porch where he’d left the prospect.

What the fuck?What was it with prospects slacking off what he’d told them to do today?

He made his way up the steps and the porch, taking care not to walk too heavily in case Elle was still asleep.When he tried the door, he found it unlocked.What the fuck?

Inside, scent of fresh coffee hit him first, then he caught a hint of bacon frying.Was Elle up?

If that was her cooking, he was glad she’d taken him at his word and made herself at home, but where the fuck was Nathan?

Following his nose, he headed for the kitchen where he found Nathan sitting on one of the barstools Hex kept at the dining room side of the island, a coffee cup in front of him as he watched Elle cook.

Hex propped one shoulder against the wall as he considered the scene for a moment, trying to decide what to do first, kiss his woman or put the prospect in his place.Elle won and he pushed away from the wall and stepped around the island.He moved in next to Elle until she realized he was there.When she did, she looked up and smiled at him.

“Good morning.Been up long?”she asked as if this was something they did every morning.

“A couple of hours.”He leaned down and kissed her thoroughly.“Find everything you need?”He nodded to the bacon in the skillet.

“Yes.I’m making enough for you too, if you want some.”

“I’d love it.”He didn’t move away from Elle, at least not far, he took a couple of steps away so he wouldn’t be in her way, propped his hip against the countertop as he turned his attention to Nathan.“I thought I told you to sit on the porch and keep an eye out.”

“You did.That’s where I was when she invited me in.”Nathan tilted his head toward Elle.“You said to not to wake her and I didn’t, but I didn’t want to creep her out or scare her when she invited me in by refusing but hanging around like some weirdo.”

“It’s not like a weirdo, it’s like a guard.Like I told you to.”Hex shook his head, not willing to argue over this.Not in front of Elle and not with a prospect.“We’ll talk about this later.For now, go relieve Bobby Lee on the gate.”

“Yes, sir.”Nathan slid off the bar stool, then paused, and looked at Elle.“It was nice meeting you, ma’am.Thank you for the coffee.”

“No problem.It was nice meeting you too,” she said with a genuine smile.

Hex waited until he heard the front door close behind the prospect then turned back to Elle.

“Did you sleep well?”

“I did.Thank you for putting me in bed, but I could have slept on the couch.”

Hex shook his head.“I’ve slept on that couch.You don’t want to spend all night there.Besides, I wanted you next to me.”

“So you did sleep, at least a little last night?”

“I got a good six hours.With you beside me they felt like eight.”He watched as she went to the fridge, pulled out a carton of eggs, and carried it back to the stove.

“You want scrambled or fried?”