Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 81845 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81845 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
“Never thought I’d see the day you’d crash and burn over a woman.” He laughs, pulling out onto the main road. “I don’t know anyone who thought you’d settle.”
“I didn’t plan for her.” I run my hands down my face.
“You deserve to have that. To have her,” he says quietly, stopping at a red light and looks at me. “I’m glad for you, man.”
I jerk up my chin, and he shakes his head then pulls off when the light changes to green.
*
“I thought we were meeting alone,” Aedan says, taking a seat on the couch in my office with his eyes moving from Kai to Justin. “You know I don’t like surprises,” he informs him, raising a brow.
“I have a feeling you’re gonna like this one,” Justin says, sitting on the edge of the coffee table across from him. Having never met Aedan, I didn’t expect to see a thirty-something man dressed like a biker walk into my club. Most made men in Vegas dress just like what they are, men of money and power. Aedan, in jeans, a white shirt, and black motorcycle boots, doesn’t look like he fits in with any of them.
“That’s doubtful,” he mutters then waves his hand around. “Let’s get this over with. I have shit to do.”
“First, what’s your relationship with Paulie?” Kai asks from the middle of the room, where he planted himself with his arms crossed over his chest as soon as we all settled in.
“Not sure why that’s any of your fucking business, Hawaii,” Aedan replies, looking at Kai, his body alert.
Kai looks at Justin for a moment before moving his eyes back to Aedan. “Ok, let’s do this. I know Paulie’s been making moves to take you out,” he says, and Aedan’s glare moves to Justin.
“You tell him that shit?” he asks, sitting forward, pinning Justin in place with his gaze.
“You know I didn’t have to tell anyone shit,” Justin replies quietly with an edge to his tone. “Everyone knows Paulie’s got a hard-on for you. It’s no secret.”
“Fuck Paulie,” Aedan says, pulling his eyes from Justin to scan the room. “I took this meeting out of respect, but now I’m getting pissed. Tell me what this is about. I don’t have time to play twenty-questions or feel like I’m being interrogated.”
“All we need to know is where your relationships stands with Paulie.” I stand and his attention moves to me. “I don’t have time for bullshit. Justin here believes you want Paulie gone. Is that true or not?” I ask, and his eyes narrow on me.
“Paulie’s a piece of shit, just like his son was. No one’s sad the world he’s built is slipping through his fingers, and more than a few are waiting for him to fall,” he says and then stands. “Like I said, I came here out of respect, but like you, I don’t have time for bullshit” he says, walking toward the door but then stops when Kai speaks.
“I’m assuming you know the story of my wife and the property she owns in Vegas.” My eyes go to him, but his are on Aedan, and I know he’s referring to the property Myla’s parents left to her before their deaths, properties worth millions, maybe even billions. Paulie’s son, before his death, planned to kidnap and marry Myla in order to gain control of that property, and Kai was almost killed because of it.
“I’ve heard about it,” Aedan confirms, turning to face him, crossing his arms over his chest.
“It’s yours,” Kai says quietly, and the room starts to buzz with an undercurrent of energy.
“What?” Aedan asks with his brows pulled together.
“That property and the land it’s on is yours…with one condition.”
“What the fuck, Kai?” Kenton asks, looking at him.
“I don’t need it, and Myla doesn’t need it. That land killed her family, and it’s about time she got something good from it. She wants to live free, and I want that for her, my son, and our unborn child.”
“Jesus,” I mutter, staring at Kai.
“What’s your condition?” Aedan questions.
“You help us remove Paulie.” He pauses then rumbles, “Permanently. No one can know the men in this room were involved in his removal, and if there is ever any backlash, that shit’s on you.”
“Why the fuck don’t you just take him out and keep your property?” Aedan asks the question I want to ask for myself.
“I told you—that property is a guarantee you’ll hold up your end of the bargain. I know you have honor. I just don’t know how deep it runs, and if someone is questioning your worth, thinking of taking you out, let’s just say that land will give you the power you need to hold onto your position,” Kai says, and Aedan moves back into the room and takes a seat on the couch once more, looking confused and a little shocked.