Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 72126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
“You should’ve just left it. There was no reason for you to tell her.”
“She deserves to know the truth.” Memphis shook his head. “This mess with the cartel is coming whether we like it or not.”
“Maybe,” I muttered, leaning back in my chair. “But telling her doesn’t change anything. It’s not like she can do anything about it.”
“He’s right. There was no sense in worrying her. But that’s neither here nor there.” Prez sounded irritated as he told him, “It’s not just her father’s mess anymore. It’s all of ours.”
“Yeah, you’re right. So, what are we gonna do about it?”
“Shep reached out to Carmine’s handler.”
“And?”
“Carmine is aware of the situation, and he’s looking into it.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
“He didn’t just fuck over one powerhouse. He fucked over several, and one or more of them have connections to the cartel. He’s just gotta figure out which one has come knocking.”
“How long is that gonna take?” Memphis pushed.
“As long as it takes.” Prez tried to remain calm as he told him, “I know this isn’t easy for you, but you’re gonna have to be patient. We gotta play this smart, or it will blow up in our faces. Now, go home and see about your girl.”
To my surprise, Memphis didn’t argue. He simply nodded, dropped his cup of coffee in the sink, and walked out of the kitchen. Prez shook his head and sighed. “That boy and his mother are gonna be the death of me.”
“He’ll settle down when we get some more answers.”
“Yeah, I doubt that. That boy’s a loose cannon. Always has been. Always will be.”
“But he listens to you, so there’s that.”
“Thank God for that.” He shook his head and scoffed. “So, about our guests...”
“What about ‘em?”
“There was a situation earlier this morning, and I think it’s time to make a change.”
“What kind of situation?”
“The kid walked in on Rusty and one of the club girls.” Prez cocked his brow. “He was down on the girls’ wing, and they were doing what they do. And he got an eye full.”
“Ah, man.”
“If I had to guess, I’d say it wasn’t the first time.”
“Whitney didn’t mention anything about it.”
“Doubt she knows.” Prez shrugged. “Not the kind of thing a boy would bring up to his mother, especially when he had no business lurking around the bar.”
“Damn.”
“It’s been a long time coming. The clubhouse isn’t exactly the best environment for a kid. At least, not day in and day out. It’s time to find them a place that’s a bit more permanent.”
“But they’re safe here.”
“Yeah, but they can’t keep going on like this. It’s been months. We need to start working on a plan to get her a job and get the kid back in school. Hell, this whole thing’s gotta be wearing on ‘em. I know it’s wearing on me.” His eyes narrowed. “She hasn’t said anything to you about it?”
“She wouldn’t. She’s too grateful for everything to complain.” I could tell that he wasn’t going to change his mind about this, so I asked, “So, what are you thinking?”
“I figured we’d find a place close so we could watch over them. Shep could put in a security system, and...”
Before I really thought it through, I suggested, “They could stay at my place.”
“Your place?”
“I’ve got plenty of room,” I replied casually. “Goose and I could work something out and still keep an eye on them. Maybe get a prospect or two to help out here and there. That way, they could get their lives back without putting them in jeopardy.”
“Seems like you have it all thought out.”
“I wouldn’t say that.”
“You got an interest in this girl?”
I thought back to the night she was outside. She was looking up at the stars, and I couldn’t deny that I felt an unexpected pull toward her. It felt strange to admit it. There was a time when I just felt sorry for her. It was impossible not to with the bruises and the anguish in her eyes. But as I stood there next to her, I realized there was much more to her than the pain or bruises. She was strong and beautiful, with a heart filled with hope.
And then, there was the night she had the bad dream. She reached for me, clung to me, and for a moment, I was her security net. I still hadn’t forgotten how incredible she felt in my arms, so I told Prez, “Yeah, there might be something there.”
“You need to be sure.” Prez gave me a knowing look as he added, “You can’t go through the things they’ve been through without having some pretty deep scars, and not the ones you can see. They’re hidden well below the surface, and they show themselves when you least expect it.”
“I have scars of my own.”
“Then, you know what it would mean to take these two on.”