Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 77198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
“Sounds like you have it all figured out.”
“No, but I’m getting there.” I could see that he was still troubled by the idea, so I stepped over to him and placed my hand on his shoulder. “I wouldn’t do this unless I thought you could handle it.”
“I just wasn’t expecting it to end this way. You’ve always been like a father to me, and now....”
“You know where I live. My door is always open.”
“You mean that?”
“Absolutely. I’d be hurt if you didn’t drop by now and then.” I gave him a fatherly pat on the shoulder, then headed back over to my bike. “Take care of yourself, brother.”
“I’m gonna try.”
He gave me a quick nod, then watched as I eased out of his driveway and headed home. By the time I got to the house, Everleigh had dinner ready and was setting the table. I went over and gave her a kiss on the cheek as I asked, “How did it go today?”
“Really good.” Her eyes lit up as she explained, “I got those new clients I was telling you about.”
“I’m not surprised.”
“I know, but I am.” She turned to face me as she said, “No one has ever heard of me, and my portfolio is basically a joke.”
We both knew if she decided to go back to work, she’d face some struggles, but Everleigh insisted. She’d done the work and had gotten her degree, and it was only fair that she got the career she’d worked so hard for. Unfortunately, DeLuca had screwed her. He’d made it look like she’d been in an accident and died, so she had to start from scratch.
It would’ve been easier if she’d moved off where no one knew her.
Since that wasn’t an option, I provided her with a name that would cover her in case someone recognized her. She was now Leigh Freeman—Everleigh Freeman’s twin sister. Her license, passport, and even her degree had been altered with her new name. To me and everyone close to her, she would always be Everleigh, but I wanted her to be covered if she happened to cross paths with someone from her past.
The change in her name had kept her safe, but it came at a cost. I tried to reassure her as I told her, “Just give it time. You’ll be knocking their socks off before you know it... Hell, you already are.”
“I don’t know about that.”
“You got the client, didn’t ya?”
“Yeah, I did.”
“Then, enough said.”
She walked over and took the lasagna out of the oven. As she placed it on the table, she asked, “So, how did it go with Viper today?”
“It took a turn I wasn’t expecting.”
“Oh?” She stopped to look at me. “How so?”
We both sat down, and we ate dinner as I told her all about my conversation with Viper. When I told her that I was interested in taking him up on his offer, she was more open to the idea than I expected. In fact, she was very encouraging. The little time she’d spent with them had proven to be enlightening, and she thought it was something I should truly consider.
And after thinking it over for a day or so, I decided she was right.
I just had to wait on Viper to call with the brothers’ decision.
That didn’t come until days later.
I was outside cleaning out the shed when I got a call from Viper. “You got Billy.”
“Hey, man. How’s it going?”
“Good. It would be better if I wasn’t out here cleaning out this damn shed.”
“You just doing a clean-out?”
“Yes and no.” I sat down on an old timber as I explained, “Everleigh wants to get a couple of goats and maybe some ducks. Figured we’d need a place to house them.”
“Sounds like you’ve got quite a job on your hands.”
“Nothing I can’t handle.”
“Good deal.” He paused for a moment, and I got the eerie feeling he was about to hit me with bad news. Instead, he said, “We had our vote tonight, and the club has decided to patch you in as an honorary member.”
“Okay. What does that entail?”
“It’s exactly what you wanted. You’ll have the support of the club and carry the name, but you won’t be required to work for the club or do runs.”
“Sounds good.”
“I thought you’d say that.” Viper sounded pleased as he said, “We’ve planned a run on Saturday as a welcoming of sorts. We’ll head up to the Dragon’s Tail and grab a bite to eat before heading back. It’ll give you and the boys a chance to get better acquainted.”
“I’ll be there.”
“Be sure to bring Everleigh, too.”
“Will do.”
As soon as we ended the call, I went inside and told Everleigh the news. Like me, she was pleased with their decision to make me an honorary member instead of a full brother. It was a sweet deal. I’d basically been given the best of both worlds.