Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77904 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77904 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“Heading to the house. I’m wiped.”
“I hear ya. It’s definitely been a long one.” Torch scratched his beard. “What do you think about this Bauco bullshit?”
“I don’t know. Just curious to see what Grant’s gonna do to him.”
“Got no idea, but he’s gonna have to be creative. The Four Seasons is a busy place. Lots of eyes.”
“I was thinking the same thing.” I hadn’t forgotten about how he’d handled the Stingers. Blowing up that entire block was bad, and after seeing what he’d just done to the Reapers, I couldn’t help but wonder just how far this guy would go. “He’s looking to make an impression, and I got a feeling he’s willing to do anything necessary to make that happen.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right.” Q shook his head. “Honestly, I don’t give a fuck what he does. I’m just ready for him to do it and put an end to this bullshit.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” I opened my truck door as I told them, “I’m gonna hit it. Give me a shout if you hear anything.”
“Will do.”
I left the clubhouse thinking the ride home might help to clear my head and ease the unsettled feeling that lingered in the air. Sadly, it didn’t.
The night was too quiet and did little to distract me from the weight bearing down on my shoulders. There was so much going on with the club and the brothers, and it left me feeling like I had no control over what was coming. That wasn’t a good feeling.
I turned a corner, and as I started around the square, I spotted Maggie’s salon. The lights were on, and her GMC was parked out front. She usually didn’t work this late, so I decided to stop by and make sure everything was okay. I parked and made my way up to the door. I knocked, and Maggie whipped around with a start.
When she saw that it was me, she let out a visible breath of relief and walked over to unlock the door. As soon as she opened it, she smiled and said, “Hey, what are you doing here?”
“Saw your light was on and wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
“I am now.”
“What do you mean? Did something happen?”
“Chad stopped by here.” She closed the door behind me as she explained, “He was upset about the weekend.”
“What about it?”
“Who knows? He was just mouthing.” She wouldn’t even look at me as she went over and collected her purse and keys. “He’ll get over it.”
“What was he mouthing about?”
Maggie stopped and looked up at me as she said, “It doesn’t matter. It was...”
“Maggie.”
“Okay, but honestly, it’s not that big of a deal.”
She leaned against the front counter as she recounted the disturbing encounter with her ex. Not only did he show up at her place of work unannounced, but he came after hours when she was alone, and that enraged me. Sensing my building fury, she tried to diffuse the situation.
“He knows things are getting serious between the two of us, and he’s struggling with it.”
“That doesn’t give him the right to come in here and give you a hard time.”
“I know, but...”
“Don’t make excuses for him, Maggie.” Today was not the day. I was tired and on edge, and just the thought of that asshole giving Maggie a hard time had me ready to blow. “He doesn’t deserve them.”
“I know. You’re right. He shouldn’t have come here, but there’s nothing I can do about it now.”
“Maybe not, but I can.”
“What?” Her eyes widened with panic. “No. I don’t... you don’t... Just leave it, Ronin. I don’t want you getting in the middle of all this.”
“I already am.” I motioned my head towards the door as I told her, “Now, lock up and get home to the kids.”
“But what are you going to do?”
“This is where that trust comes into play.”
“I trust you, Ronin. It’s Chad that I don’t trust.”
“I can handle him. You don’t have to worry about that.”
“And I can’t talk you out of it?”
“Afraid not.”
She shook her head and grabbed her things. I waited for her to lock the door before walking her out to her car. “You heading on home?”
“Yeah, I’ve gotta make dinner and help Samantha with a project for school.”
“Then you best get going.”
I gave her a quick kiss goodbye as she opened her door and got inside. “You’ll call me later?”
“You know I will.”
She nodded, then started the engine and pulled out of her parking spot. As soon as she pulled off, I got in my truck and sent Bones a message asking for Chad’s address. A few minutes later, he texted me back, and I plugged in the location on my GPS. My hands gripped the steering wheel, and my knuckles were white with anger as I sped toward Chad's house.
I couldn’t stop thinking about him being in that salon with Maggie, yelling at her about spending the weekend with me. It was bullshit. The guy had no claim to her, and it pissed me off that the arrogant prick thought he did. I was determined to set the score right—one way or another.