Broken but Breathing (Jinx Tattoos 2)

“Is he a playboy?”

“No, he’s actually really discrete. Sometimes the girls get it in their head that fucking them is the same as dating them and hang all over their member of choice. He’s always avoided that trap. I’m not saying his celibate, but he doesn’t bring anyone around the way he did you. It’s why we were all sort of fascinated when he started bringing you around and made it clear you were off limits. I thought maybe it was some big brother thing at first. Then I saw how he looked at you when he thought no one was watching.”

“How was that?” she asked.

“Like you hung the moon, Sprite.”

“You must be mistaken,” she said.

“I think the question is, why would you want me to be?”

Es shook her head. “It’s been a long time since I was in a place to even think about something romantic. I don’t know that I’m ready.” Here I am so excited about last night I forgot all about Everett. Her stomach ached. Is that all it takes? Someone to show me a bit of attention and kiss me?

“You’re a million miles away right now,” Kali remarked.

Her new friend brought her back to the present. “Just thinking about how I should work on this and get it out of the way.” So I can come back to Earth. Once this is over we’ll both return to our lives and occasionally see one another as we lend support. The thought pacified her. The guilt ebbed and her ability to breathe returned. She walked into the house determined to get him settled so she could take a few steps back.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Snake

“Do you have eyes on him?” Snake asked, popping his knuckles as he waited in the hotel room. Hiram insisted Snake stay behind while the others took him to the Greyhound station. The exchange was being made, Hiram’s freedom for Jocelyn’s location. Data sat at the desk with his computer at the ready.

“Everything is going as planned. He’s purchased his ticket to Nashville, Tennessee. It leaves in another hour. He’ll give the information to Sick, and we’ll look it up and walk.” He could hear the anger in Sharp’s voice over speakerphone.

“Trust me, I hate that he’s getting away, too. But this is about my daughter.”

“I get you, Veep. Here they come now.”

Snake held his breath. “And Roland and Sharon Miles of Lexington, Kentucky.”

Snake repeated the information and Data’s fingers flew over the keys.

“I got them. All three of them.”

Three!

Data turned the computer around and the image on the screen damn near stopped his heart. Jocelyn. She was a miniature version of her mother with her slender limbs, and light-brown curls that tumbled to her shoulders. Her golden eyes reminded him of a lion—fierce and intelligent beyond her years. She got that fight in her from me along with her broad forehead and strong jawline. The button nose and small lips are all Jade. “Is that her?” Data asked.

“Yeah, brother, that’s my baby girl,” he answered, grinning so hard his mouth ached.

“The information is right, Veep?” Sharp said.

“Yeah, brother, let that motherfucker go for now. We’ll meet up with him again one day. Count on that.”

“All right, brother, we’re coming back now.”

Snake turned to Data. “I want to know everything you have on them.”

“On it,” Data said.

Euphoria set in. His baby girl was alive and well. He could tell by the high-quality family pictures the Miles were wealthy. Had they given her the best of everything? Could he continue her lifestyle? How would he get her back? I need to talk to Es.

“I’m going to step out for a minute,” Snake said.

Data nodded to show he’d heard, and he slipped outside with his phone.

“Hello.”