Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 109696 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109696 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
“Rip, I want you to go stake this place out. I want the times they switch, every single detail on what is happening at this place.”
“On it.”
“Ox, go with him. Find out how many sensors, and any other surprises we need to know about.”
“Yeah, Prez, we’re going back to our roots.” He pounds his chest with his fist. “Fuck yeah, my cock is getting hard.” Ox loves all this shit. He can compartmentalize everything—it’s black or white.
For me it’s never been that easy. I do what I do because it’s what is needed, but make no mistake, I still feel it. Every single grave I’ve dug stays with me, some I want to piss on more than others.
“Poet and Charlie are here.” Edge motions with his head at the monitor.
“Christ.” I rub the back of my neck, looking at Blade.
“Let’s get this fucking party over with,” Blade says through gritted teeth as Frosty packs up his stuff.
“You get Amanda at that deli tomorrow. I want Pavel in place and able to help. This may go down fast,” Blade mutters to me and Axel as he walks past.
“Cindy’s here, Ryder.” Edge looks at me and I almost laugh, because now is not the time.
I should speak with her, but fuck it. Nodding, I point to another monitor that’s a mile away. Two SUVs are parked outside. A cable truck pulls up and it looks like the driver’s going to our neighbors to the right.
“Tell Frosty to run plates on them, and that cable truck is new,” I say as I walk out to talk to a woman whom I have zero patience for.
AC/DC spills from the sound system. I nod at all the brothers who are drinking already, hanging out in the game area. It’s tense, even with all of us trying.
It smells like war. Everyone feels it, even if they don’t know the full extent of what we are really up against.
I make my way to the pool area, where Charlie and the others are sitting. Dolly is smiling at Charlie, who looks exhausted but happy. Eve and Antoinette are whispering together. I scan the area for Cindy.
“Hey, Ryder, you want a beer, man?” A prospect walks up to me. Spotting Cindy, I ignore him.
“Christ.” I walk around him and stare at Cindy, barely recognizing her.
In her string bikini and heels, she looks like a fucking stripper. She grips Doug’s arm for support. Maybe it’s to hold herself up. She’s so frail, it looks like the wind could blow her away. She has to have lost ten pounds. Her curves are pretty much gone. She was thin last time I saw her, but this is ridiculous.
It’s as if the music stops when I approach, though I still hear it. Everyone seems to have decided to watch this fucking freak show.
Ignoring them, I walk over to Charlie first, who gives me a big smile, and I reach down to kiss her cheek.
“Congratulations, you look beautiful.”
She rolls her eyes but keeps smiling. “I feel horrible, look like death, but my doctor says that’s good, so I’m rolling with it.” A breeze moves the umbrella, and she shields her eyes from the sun peeking through.
“You’re gonna be fine.” I straighten and look at Poet who stands protectively next to her. Again, I almost laugh at all of us. This might be the most uncomfortable party we’ve ever thrown, but I guess Charlie seems happy.
“Cindy, can I have a word with you?”
“Oh God,” Dolly groans, looking down at her toes.
Cindy looks over at me, and I’m done already. “Jesus Christ.” I grab her arm, causing her to gasp and Doug to say, “Perfect. Here we go.” Then I drag her to the barbecue area.
“Let go of me, you animal,” Cindy seethes, jerking her arm away, which causes her drink to spill on her. “Oh my God, Ryder.”
“Look, I don’t want a scene. Shit is going on—”
“Shit’s always going on,” she says right back.
Taking a breath, I opt to tell her the truth. Nothing I say is gonna make this day good anyway.
“I have someone.”
She stops trying to wipe the sticky drink off her leg and looks up at me. Her long nails look like a sharp weapon. “What?” Her voice cracks.
“I wanted you to know that there is someone.”
Narrowing her eyes, she looks over my shoulder like I’m not even there. “I don’t care that you’re fucking some whore. It’s not like you haven’t been doing that from the beginning. What I do care is why you would tell me today.”
The hot sun finally makes its appearance. I sigh and my head pounds. “She’s here, and I want her to feel welcome. You and I are not together—”
“Wait.” She holds up her hands again. I can’t help but be shocked at her appearance.
“You have someone you want us…” She turns and motions to all the girls, not even trying to pretend they’re not watching. “You think she’d be welcome?” She snorts.