Total pages in book: 176
Estimated words: 167257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 836(@200wpm)___ 669(@250wpm)___ 558(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 167257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 836(@200wpm)___ 669(@250wpm)___ 558(@300wpm)
Men, I realized, were easily pacified.
All it took was one half-assed apology, an offer of beer, and all was forgiven. Or, in Rowdy’s case, a Ziplock bag full of Grandaddy.
Women were way more cutthroat. When the beef was up, it was stuck, and it didn’t matter how petty. Until death do us part, bitches and cunts!
I pursed my lips as I watched the bloodthirsty vamp who had held a gun to Rowdy’s head, whose name I’d learned was Britain, approach Rowdy now as he lounged on the couch surrounded by his subjects—six or seven hoes wearing next to absolutely nothing and all hoping to be chosen.
I noticed the men all kept a safe distance from Rowdy and gravitated to the other Kings instead. Well, except for Golden, who was also surrounded by women hoping to fix him. I rolled my eyes.
The worst part was watching Rowdy flirt back. At the moment, he had his hand on the thigh of some woman draped all over him. I knew it was for my benefit. I knew he wanted me to see it and hate him with every fiber of my being. Well, it worked. Even from this distance, I could tell she was a ten, suspiciously resembling the Instagram model Savvy G.
I felt so stupid. After what I’d allowed Rowdy to do to me downstairs in the storage closet, I’d expected, I don’t know, respect? Friendship? Genuine interest that lasted more than five minutes before he decided to ignore me again? The whiplash was real.
Every muscle in my body was strung tight as I watched Rowdy notice Britain. His expression was unreadable, but I knew that keen mind was silently sharpening as he tracked Britain’s approach.
Ruen’s friend, who it had taken me no time at all to learn was in charge of this ragtag group, uttered something I couldn’t hear over the music. I sucked in a breath and inched closer in case I needed to intervene. Although, I didn’t know why I’d bother. After the way I’d turned my back on my father before he died and then my mother after he was gone, I didn’t know what I deserved anymore, but I knew one thing was for certain.
No one deserved a selfish ass like Rowdy Wray.
I was halfway across the room, barreling down anyone in my path when Rowdy took me by surprise for the umpteenth time tonight.
He nodded to whatever Britain had said to him and then silently held out his hand to shake.
It seemed like a small gesture, but if one were fluent in the language of Rowdy Wray, one would know it was the highest level of respect he would ever bestow on another person.
“Aye. Move your thirsty ass over,” he snapped at the woman he’d been feeling up a moment ago. “You see this man needs a seat.” In typical asshole fashion, Rowdy allowed his voice to carry over the music for others to hear.
The poor girl scooted over on the couch, allowing Britain to take her seat, and then the soft-spoken vamp reached into his backpack and handed over a gallon-sized Ziplock bag full of Indica.
My stomach dipped at the sight.
That much weed casually proffered as a truce could only mean one thing.
Britain wasn’t just a smoker. He was a distributor too.
Rowdy’s smile was small, but his green eyes were practically glowing as he took in Britain’s peace offering. “‘Preciate it,” he said, cool as a cucumber as he accepted Britain’s gift.
The party had been in full swing for a couple of hours now. Ruen had agreed to stay and deejay, but her crew had made it clear she wouldn’t be staying without them, so the Kings invited them to the party. Ruen had been clearly annoyed but didn’t argue. I guess she knew it would be pointless. Ruen might be a gun-toting badass, but she’d surrounded herself with other gun-toting badasses who didn’t care that she could handle herself. Protecting one another came with the territory.
Reassured that the furniture wouldn’t be violently rearranged anytime soon, I worked the room before heading over to Ruen to see if she needed anything.
“I’m good!” she yelled over the music before lifting a drink from the small table next to a plate of food. The only thing the party had been missing was servers, but someone must have brought her the refreshments since she hadn’t once left her booth for a break.
My money was on one of the doting boys in her crew hovering nearby. Britain, Christian, Ky, and Malik never seemed to be far away, their heads on a swivel, constantly clocking who came and went before eventually finding their focus lingering on Ruen once more.
Their dynamic was…interesting.
I left Ruen to do her thing and moved over to the buffet Fred had catered just as she switched the song to “Bounce Back” by Big Sean.