Free X Marks the Spot (Executioners MC Book 1) by Kimmie Easley Page B

dead.”
    My back snapped straight. “I’m not gonna lie. Besides, everyone knows exactly how I felt about Numar. It would make me look guilty if I tried to cover it up.”
    “No one is asking you to lie. Damn, you’re so hard headed. Just quit offering the information.”
    Jolene and I prepared for a heated conversation when Clint jumped in.
    “Hey, do you guys remember the night we went jumping off the Jericho Bridge?”
    My mouth curled into a sly grin as I glanced toward Jo, who rolled her eyes and looked away.
    Clint wagged his eyebrows. “Do you still have the piercing?”
    “Are you kidding? Not Jo, the uptight, professional, suit wearing Jo,” I jeered.
    Jolene lifted her tank top just above her belly button, revealing a small, crystal barbell. I tried not to stare at her tight abs and slim waistline. Her skin appeared creamy and soft, begging to be kissed.
    “Man, that shit was epic. Who gets a piercing and then goes jumping off the tallest bridge in three counties, right into a grungy ass lake?” Clint took a long pull off the beer, swallowing through his fit of laughter.
    “Yeah, well, don’t call me chicken shit then. I lived to prove you boys wrong back then It’s like it was a different world.”
    “I guess it kind of was, huh?” I stared at the wall ahead. “We’re all different people now.”
    “Speak for yourself.” Clint kicked my boots off the table. “I’d go jumping off that same bridge tonight. What about that night we got pulled over down by the lake and Jo tried to hide all the open beers under her mini skirt?”
    “Oh my God! How can you remember all of that?” Jo’s wide eyes gazed at Clint. “It’s a wonder we’re all still alive today to talk about this bullshit.”
    “Isn’t that the fucking truth?” I choked on laughter as I took a drink of the cold beer.
    “Come on now, it wasn’t all that bad.” Clint tossed his head back and gave a long sigh. “Shit man, I’d trade damn near anything to go back in time.”
    I tried to get a visual on Jolene without turning my head to see her reaction to Clint’s loaded confession. My chest tightened when I saw her give a slight nod. She agreed.
    The three of us spent the next couple of hours sharing stories and talking about good times.
    Clint hopped up and stretched. “I’m gonna use the head.”
    I waited until he was gone before getting up and disappearing into the kitchen. I returned with two bottles of beer, twisting off both caps and handing one to Jo. I pulled my lips into a hard line. Being close enough to smell her shampoo made my body twitch.
    Clint hustled back into the room, oblivious to the tension in the air. “Looks like you guys are gonna have to have fun catching up without me.” He clicked the button on his cell phone and shoved it back into his jeans. “I gotta go report in.”
    “What’s up?” My head was spinning, wondering why I wasn’t called in.
    “No idea. I’ll let you know and you two try not to get in any trouble. He leaned over and kissed Jo on the cheek.
    “Later brother,” I said as the front door slammed shut.
    “That was weird.”
    I nodded. “Yeah, got a bad feeling ‘bout it too.”
    Jolene took a long swig off the bottle and smiled. “Don’t go getting all paranoid. Want to talk about the case?”
    “Nah, can’t collect my thoughts. My head’s a fucking mess. Can we dive in tomorrow?”
    She shrugged. “Sure. I’ll let you get some sleep and go over files in the bedroom. You’ve got to be tired after that long night in jail.”
    My shoulders sagged. “I don’t think I can sleep right now. I’m buzzing. How ‘bout some music?” I reached for my phone and clicked the playlist button. George Jones was belting out “He Stopped Loving Her Today”.
    I didn’t like the uneasy feeling creeping around in my usually rock solid gut. I took down the rest of my beer in one swallow and darted off to the kitchen for another.
    “Grab me one too, please,” she chimed from