Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 75642 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75642 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“But we’re a big enough group that we’ll keep you busy. Promise,” Khloe says.
“And we all tip well,” Devyn provides.
“Please say yes,” Em begs, her hands clasped in front of her.
Say yes? These women are offering me something I could never afford. As good as it all sounds, there’s no way I can do any of this.
I frown at them, the threat of tears burning the backs of my eyes.
“I don’t have the ability to do any—”
“The club will front the money,” Em says quickly. “If that’s what you’re worried about.”
“I can’t—”
“We’ll charge a booth rental fee or something. Babe?” Em says, looking over at Kincaid. “What’s a good monthly fee?”
Kincaid shrugs. “Twenty bucks?”
“Absolutely not,” I rush to say.
“Fifteen?” he counters, smiling when I narrow my eyes at him.
“This is ridiculous,” I mutter.
“It’s easier to just let it happen,” Devyn whispers.
I shake my head. Where in the world is Vincent? I need him right now.
Chapter 25
Stormy
“I don’t think it’s crazy,” Newton says with a quick shrug.
He’s one of the newest guys. He’s not as outgoing and in your face as Oracle, but also nowhere close to as unapproachable as Hemlock is.
“I didn’t say it was crazy,” Ugly responds. “I said the people in town are going to think we’re crazy.”
“They already think we have a bomb shelter and years and years of supplies hidden away on the property,” Oracle interjects.
Ugly, Bishop, and I stare back at him.
“We do,” Bishop finally adds.
Raucous laughter fills the air as I watch Hemlock back one of the SUVs up with skilled precision to the trailer. As antisocial as he seems most days, he’s actually very involved with all that we do.
“I have no doubt there will be a damn miniseries about Cerberus eventually,” Oracle says, but there’s a smile on his face.
I shake my head. “Kincaid would never allow it. I think being self-sufficient is a great thing.”
“Me too,” Oracle says. “But a salon on the property? That may be going just a little too far.”
“Em loves the idea which means Kincaid loves the idea,” Bishop says. “And that only seems weird to those of you who don’t have a woman you’d walk through fire for.”
“Is this the only trailer you need?” Hemlock asks after climbing out of the SUV and walking toward our little group. “Or will you be taking two to Albuquerque?”
“Just the one,” I tell him. “Thanks, man.”
Today’s plan is to head to town to get all the things Mila will need to transform one of the bedrooms into a clubhouse salon. Since she’s going to need a wash sink and one of those chairs with the big dome-looking hairdryer, the trailer is needed to get it all back in one trip.
Hemlock nods once before walking off. We all watch him go, silence growing between us. I’m sure we all have a lot to say about the man, most of it questions because there’s a lot about him shrouded in darkness, but everyone is also reluctant to speak up first.
“He kind of scares me,” Oracle whispers, but his statement isn’t met with laughter.
“Me too,” I confess.
I have the utmost confidence in Kincaid. If he thinks Hemlock is the right fit for Cerberus, then I have faith in that. Our boss wouldn’t let someone dangerous around his grandchildren, and the man would never put anyone else’s kid in danger.
“I’ll go round everyone up,” I tell them before heading back inside.
Last night was no different from the nights before. Well, that’s not true. We all slept in the same room again, Mila and myself sharing a bed, only there was no cuddling. There were no opportunities to roll my hips against her warm body. There were no chances to press my lips to her skin.
Hell, we haven’t even spoken about what happened between us the night before last. It’s like by some mutual, nonverbal agreement, we aren’t discussing those things. It leaves me in a weird place because I’m not normally the type of man that wants to talk about feelings, but the silence is driving me insane at the same time.
Not once in my entire adult life have I wanted to use the words what are we? I’ve never looked at a woman and stood there confused as to how to proceed. Never have I wanted to blurt feelings, or even felt emotionally involved at all. For the longest time, I thought I was broken, that part of me, the one that craved another person in any way non-sexual, wasn’t something I’ve experienced… until her.
Instead of going to the room, I head right where I know she’s going to be. Em suggested the kids stay in the nursery while we make our trip to Albuquerque. Although Mila agreed, I knew it was going to stress her out. She tossed and turned so much last night, I have no doubt she was freaking out about today.