Ace rolled over, annoyed by the obnoxious noise vibrating off the night stand beside the bed. Clean–up at the marina had taken most of the day and just like every other mission, it had taken him time to come down from the adrenaline high of taking out yet another sick individual. And although he didn’t know exactly what time it was, he was pretty sure he hadn’t been asleep all that long. Still half asleep, he grabbed the ringing cell phone and squinted at the illuminated screen.
Well, well, well.
A smirk split his lips as extreme curiosity chased the sleep from his body. Unless the caller ID lied, Miss Carley Kensworth was on the other end of the line and suddenly a good night’s sleep was the furthest thing from his mind. The short, sassy black–haired beauty had a knack for stimulating him with the bat of an eyelash. Yeah, he was definitely wide awake now. He propped himself up on two pillows, crossed his ankles, and then swiped the icon to answer the call.
“Reconsider that booty call?”
“Yes, but not now.”
Although shocked that she answered his tease with one of her own, he frowned. Something in her direct, honest admission made him suspicious.
“What’s wrong, Carley?”
“Nothing, really. I just need your assurance that I’m not jumping to conclusions.”
Now insanely curious about the nature of the call, he tread carefully. “Okay, shoot.”
“I hosted a party tonight and someone left me a gift.”
“Is that unusual?”
“Well, actually no.” She cleared her throat. “It’s not unusual for me to receive a gift, however this one is unique.”
“Go on.”
“It’s a human finger.”
He sat straight up in bed, swung his legs over the side, and then stood to yank open a nearby dresser drawer. “Put it on ice,” he growled as he grabbed a clean t–shirt. “I’m on my way.”