Page 77 of Untamed Sinner

Nobody argues. When Blackthorn Ranch was rebuilt, a room specifically designed for conversations nobody wants overheard was added out underneath the stables. I approve.

“I can take those.” Emma reaches for one of Mandy's donut boxes.

Mandy jerks it away. Catching Emma’s startled look, she winces, but she still hugs the box to her chest. "Sorry. Trauma response."

Emma stares at her for a beat, and then she laughs.

Sighing, Mandy opens the box. "Fine. Pick one."

"I'm good."

She shakes her head. "You already committed. Pick a fucking donut."

Emma takes a glazed.

“Are there any old fashioned?” Luke asks, reaching into the box.

Mandy slaps his hand.

He jerks back, holding his hand. "What the hell?"

"She's pregnant."

"So?"

"She gets preferential treatment," she says as she closes the box.

“Unborn and already outranking me.” Luke shakes his head.

I put my hand on Mandy's back and steer her toward the office before Luke tries to convince her to give away the entire box. Not that I’m worried about Mandy. It’s Luke I’m worried about. We’ll need his skills for this mission.

Emma stays in the kitchen. Luke and Harper follow us.

"Chocolate glazed," Mandy says when we’re in the yard. She lifts the old fashioned out and holds it over her shoulder.

Luke takes it.

"That seals it," he says around a bite. "Now I'd help you hide a body."

"You'd help someone hide a body for free," Harper says.

"Also true."

Luke leads us through the stable, to the hidden door that leads to their comms room. Jake shuts the door behind us.

The humor dies.

Everyone takes a seat at the large table in the center of the room. I remain standing.

Jake notices. Of course he does. "What do we have?"

I put a tablet on the table and bring up Clara Whitlock's photograph. Mason plugs it into their system, so the screen is projected on the wall.

Harper leans forward.

Mason goes still.

Luke eats slowly, but his attention is on the screen.