Abrupt Changes: A Second Chance Romance (O-Town Book 3) by Karen Renee (comprehension books .TXT) 📕

only money Garrity paid was to your man. The money for the hit and abduction hasn’t been traced. How Carlos was tied up in this shit still hasn’t been determined, and frankly, I know he’s the key.”

Tommy and Clint stared at each other.

“Do you think this is the O.K. Corral? It is not! One of y’all needs to say something,” Tanya declared.

Clint gave her his side-eye, then focused on Tommy. “Be nice to talk to Jason. Find out if he was recruiting, as well as working for more capital to oust you.”

Mom tapped the glass table with her fingernail. “Why would his right hand know about the money for the abduction?”

Clint looked at Mom. “He and Jason show up here and know someone wants Raegan dead. Knows she was taken but it was botched because ‘payment’ wasn’t received.” He glanced at Tommy for a moment. “I don’t know about you, Penny, but I don’t tell people when I don’t get paid for something. So, how would Tommy boy know payment wasn’t received?”

“People do talk, Clint,” Mom said, but her voice held a blend of disappointment and sadness.

Clint nodded at Mom, then looked at Tommy. “Except Jason fucked up when he shot Carlos. He told Rae her hit had become a bounty. It hadn’t. Why the hell he told her that, I don’t know but there’s enough fishy shit surrounding him that we need to talk to him.”

Tommy sighed. “Fine. You can question him in—”

“Now,” Clint interrupted. “He’s at your warehouse, and Paul Otero is ready to talk to him right now.”

Tommy squinted at Clint. “Now who’s keepin’ tabs?”

Clint turned his head a fraction. “Don’t matter. I want to know if the cash can be traced back to Angela Nailer. If that money didn’t come from Garrity, she’s the only other possibility. And hear this, she needs to go down for this shit. You need Paul’s number?”

Tommy shook his head, turned around, and left.

“Mm. I’ll never cross you, Clint,” Tanya muttered under her breath.

I tried to hold it back but snorted with a chuckle.

Clint

AS MUCH AS TANYA ANNOYED me, I couldn’t deny hearing Raegan snort was worth it. The light in Penny’s eyes from Raegan’s humor didn’t hurt either.

Debenedetti left, and I pulled my cell off my holster to call Paul.

“Clint,” he answered.

“Debenedetti just left. Should be in contact soon.”

“Good. Sullivan will let you know when there’s an update.”

He hung up and I put my phone back on my hip.

Penny looked between Raegan and Tanya. “How is that a conversation? He said nothing, right? I had my hearing aids out earlier, but I know they’re working.” She glared at me, “What was the point of that?”

I shook my head. “Penny, believe me, information was exchanged. Better to keep it short, so Paul can stay focused.”

Tanya pushed her chair back. “Well, since Clint’s here, you gals don’t need me anymore, and I’ve got to relieve my mother-in-law since Marcus is teething and it’s nearly dinner-time.”

My head cocked at her words. “How did you get your mother-in-law to come by so quick anyway?”

Her chin tiled down, and her eyes narrowed. “I had invited her over last night because I thought Penny would be hanging around, but when someone sent Raegan home with a bodyguard –who turned out to be lousy, just to say– that plan was botched. But Mary loves spending time with the boys, so when I heard the gunshot and sirens, I made my way over here.”

Rae narrowed her eyes at Tanya. “You were trying to set up a Mom-date weren’t you? Or, rather, a Grandma-date?”

Tanya closed her eyes and exhaled sharply. “Not exactly. Mary needs friends, and I thought Penny might like her. I don’t know. But, it’s a moot point now. I’ll see you in the morning Penny. Jared knows today’s Thursday and he didn’t get to go to the park, so we’re doing it tomorrow.”

RAEGAN PACKED UP THE Chinese take-out containers while Penny loaded silverware into the dishwasher. “Thanks for not making any comments about me being the warden, Mom.”

Penny straightened and grinned. “No, that would’ve been rude. After all, you said it, a celebratory dinner certainly was in order after shooting someone. Bonus, now I know they deliver.”

“Oh, hell,” Rae muttered.

I chuckled and immediately stiffened. “Ladies, do not make me laugh.”

“Take a pain pill and it won’t bother you, tough-guy,” Penny chided.

“Gotta be able to drive, Penny.”

She wagged a finger at me. “Oh, hell no. The two of you are both staying here tonight. I don’t give a flying fig if it bothers you. Finding my girl on the ground with that weasel ex of hers and a gunshot going off. Nope. You’re both here. Period.”

I held my hands up. “You got it, boss-lady.”

Her eyes widened. “Now, don’t get smart with me.”

I grinned. “Yes, ma’am.”

She turned to her walker and went to the living room.

Rae sat down. “If the bed here—”

“You heard your mother. And it isn’t much for her to ask for. Besides, I gotta sleep propped up so my wound is above my heart, so it won’t matter where I sleep. It isn’t going to be very comfortable because it’ll be so awkward.”

Her head wobbled for a moment. “You could sleep in the recliner. Not that I want you to, but if it helps...”

I smiled. “I’ll keep it in mind, and if I’m too restless, I’ll do that.”

Her eyes roved my face for a while, so I filled the silence. “You mind if I get a phone number from your phone?”

She squinted at me for the briefest moment before her face fell with realization. “You want Angela’s number?”

I nodded. “Yeah, but I’m gonna call her from a phone with a four-oh-seven area code.”

Leaning forward, she pulled her phone from her back pocket and put it on the table.

“Thank you, honey.”

She stood up. “Well, I definitely need a shower. You all right?”

I grabbed her phone, stood, and pushed my chair in. “I’m fine, honey. Go. Wash the day away. I hesitate to