Read Ink (The Haven Series) for Free Online

came. But his tolerance for bullshitters was definitely on the low side. And Will was pretty sure anyone sitting in front of Colton and hmming like some kind of goddamn shrink would only have to point that flash pen at him once to get it rammed in their eye. He had a feeling that might cool Michael’s buddy approach to providing the club’s legal representation.
    “Ah, here he is. Come in, come in,” Michael nodded, spotting Sam through the glass and leaning back in his seat to open the office door. He ushered him in like he owned the place, failing to notice the sergeant blatantly ignoring him in favour of casting a glance over his head at Will - deferring to his president over the outsider.
    “Sorry I took so long, boss,” Sam said, like they hadn’t already planned his timely appearance, having decided it was best Will handle most of the talking first. “Was up to my elbows in engine oil.”
    “Makes a change from pussy, huh, man?” Michael nudged him, with the air of a life-long friend and not a short-term pain in his ass. “Pull up a pew, Sammy – take the weight off.”
    With a is-this-dude-for-real look at his president, Sam sat. “So?”
    “Don’t look so worried,” Michael smiled, ignoring the fact the sergeant could hardly have looked less worried if he tried in favour of the clichéd approach. It was like he thought he was in his own little production of CSI Haven. “You need someone to keep you outta the big house – and I’m your man.”
    ***
    “So ...” Lana began, swallowing a mouthful of her beef chow mein and glancing to where her friend of some five years had curled up on the opposite end of the couch to tuck into her own share of the food. “You gonna make me ask?”
    “I’m fine, honestly,” the little blonde smiled. “Just ... you know. Trying to figure shit out.”
    “Like what you’re playing at, wasting your time with a guy old enough to be your father?”
    “Don’t hold back there, Lana – say what you really think,” Callie said wryly, recovering after almost choking on her Szechuan chicken and eying the television reporter. She never did believe in sugar-coating anything. “Jeez, I hope you go easier in your interviews.”
    “I’m sorry, sweetie, but I still just don’t get it. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with him, per say. He’s just not the kind of guy I ever pictured you with.” Lana paused for another bite, obviously thinking as she chewed. “I know he fancies himself as some kind of stud now he’s bagged himself a hottie, but seriously – divorced soccer moms, that’s where he should be setting his sights. And you ... Damn, Callie, you’re barely twenty-eight. You should be out there enjoying yourself. Not hiding away with some suit who can barely get it up!”
    “I wish I’d never told you that,” Callie groaned, hiding her face in her hands. “I shouldn’t have – it wasn’t fair.”
    “Screw that,” Lana scoffed. “And don’t get your panties in a knot, I’d never say anything. Even I’m not that much of a bitch. But it’s true, you can do better. Although, okay, maybe I get it a bit. Maybe I get it more than you.”
    “And what’s that supposed to mean?”
    Setting down her plate on the coffee table, the redhead tucked a lock of her stylishly rumpled bob behind her ear and took a deep breath. “He’s your safety net, isn’t he? Always gonna be there, but never gonna demand a commitment. He’s never gonna ... spring a proposal on you or want kids. He’s fifty and banging a sexy blonde he was damn lucky to get his hands on in the first place, so he knows when he’s got a good thing going. There’s no danger, no risk of getting hurt.”
    “Is that so bad?”
    “I guess not. But if there’s no risk, there’s no excitement. And you’ll still end up hurting. Boring you to death may be less painful than just breaking your heart, but at least that would be quick. Come on, Callie, be honest – this is me you’re