Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 128380 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 642(@200wpm)___ 514(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128380 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 642(@200wpm)___ 514(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
“You did it on purpose,” said Havana, her eyes dancing.
“I was just testing Randy’s balance.” The band had wacked his head, knocked his equilibrium, and caused him to trip on the treadmill. He’d gone ass over tit. “I wouldn’t have if he hadn’t upset Aspen.” The guy was Camden’s ex and had blamed Aspen for the whole “ex” part. Randy no longer came to the center these days, which was awesome.
Bailey returned the menu to its spot beside the tip jar and then placed the chalk beneath the counter. They didn’t only sell smoothies; they sold other stuff such as hydration drinks, active wear, energy bars, and even weight-lifting belts.
The center’s fitness area was often busy. There was an array of equipment, such as cardio machines, exercise benches, and towers of weights and dumbbells. PTs spotted and fired instructions at clients. Wall-mounted TVs played low near the cardio machines.
A highly intolerant creature, her mamba didn’t like working shifts here. The scents of sweat, metal, rubber mats, and antibacterial cleaner overpowered the air. More, it could be seriously noisy. There was constant heavy breathing, grunting, beeping, feet thumping, and metallic clanging.
Havana propped her hip against the side of the counter. “So … have you seen anything of Deke over the past few days?”
Bailey’s belly did a ridiculous little flutter. Ugh. She shook her head. “Nope.”
“Not at all? You guys live on the same floor.”
“I live on the same floor as several people. Days go by when I don’t see them either.” Truthfully, she’d considered checking on him a time or two. But she’d vetoed the idea, knowing he wouldn’t want her company.
“I saw him yesterday. He’s not doing so good. The touch-hunger’s bad again.”
Bailey tensed, and her snake lifted her head in interest.
“I don’t understand why he’s not doing anything about it.” Havana paused. “But I think you do.”
Bailey forced herself not to tense. “Why?”
“Because you don’t seem confused by it anymore.” The devil shifter straightened. “Tell me what’s wrong so I can help him.”
“If he wants to tell you, he will.”
“I’m his Alpha female. It’s my job to look out for him.”
“Then go do it. But don’t ask me to betray his confidence—I’m not gonna.”
Her lips quirking, Havana gave a slow shake of her head. “And he thinks you have no morals.” She exhaled heavily. “Have you had any more visits from Livy?”
Bailey felt her mouth briefly flatten. “She came to see me yesterday. She brought food again.”
Havana hummed, clearly amused. “You’re being courted by proxy. You realize that, right?”
“But why would she do that?” Bailey raised her shoulders. “It can’t have escaped her notice that he likes control, so she has to see that me and him don’t suit.”
Havana casually braced a hand on her hip. “Deke’s a highly dominant male who likes control, yes. But he also not only thrives on being challenged, he needs it—he’ll otherwise feel bored and restless. So it stands to reason that he’ll need a partner who challenges him or he’ll lose interest in them fast. Livy will know that, just as she’ll know that you are anything but easy to handle.”
“But still, who’d want me as a partner for their son? I wouldn’t.” Not if she wanted her kid to be happy anyway.
“She likes you. Which shows good judgement on her part. You might be a nut, but you’re an awesome nut.”
Bailey felt her lips curve. “Aw, thanks. You’re awesome, too.” She held out her arms. “Can we hug?”
Havana’s good humor fled in an instant. “No.”
Bailey choked back a laugh. Her Alpha was not at all touchy-feely. “But it—”
“No.”
Sighing, Bailey dropped her arms. “You’re supposed to love me.”
“I do love you. I’m just not gonna hug you.”
Noticing one of the center’s staff members, Jonesy, heading their way, Bailey raised her brow. “Yo, what’s up?”
The barely eighteen-year-old jaguar replied, “Corbin wants to speak to you in his office.”
Bailey exchanged a look with Havana and then slid her gaze back to Jonesy. “Do you know what it’s about?”
“No, but …” He licked his lips. “There are some people in his office with him. Ginny’s one of them.”
Her mamba’s head jerked, and Bailey inwardly groaned. The little witch had probably come here to push Corbin into firing Bailey, since the phone calls had failed to work.
Havana swore. “You can hold the fort here, right, Jonesy?”
He blinked twice. “Uh, yeah, sure.”
“Great.” She turned to Bailey. “I’m coming with you.”
Unbothered either way, Bailey said nothing as she and her Alpha skirted the counter.
As they walked off, Havana looked at her askance. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
“That I should have carved a dick onto Ginny’s forehead?”
The devil’s brows dipped. “No. I’m thinking there’s a good chance that the people with her are Jackson’s relatives.”
“You think she’d bring them here?”
“If they wanted to question you, this would be the easiest way for them to get to you. I can totally see her pushing them to come at you. In their shoes, if I had someone repeatedly insisting that you’re the person who hurt my relative, I’d want to speak to you myself and ask you a few questions.”