Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 43402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 217(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 217(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
So she won’t leave me forever.
Fuck! It’s a mess, and it’s my load to carry. I look down and find Livy talking with Hangman, her face soft and animated. “…and Dakota’s so beautiful,” she says, smiling. “She did finally put the name on the certificate, right?”
Hangman laughs. “That’s right. They argued, but Sunny won.”
I blink. “Hold up—you know Sunny?”
Livy nods like it’s obvious. “Well, yeah.”
Hangman grins. “Livy and her dad have been to my sister’s house for Thanksgiving dinner.”
“Seriously?” I ask.
“Yeah,” Livy says, smiling. “We do it every year. I’m not going this year though. Dad’s been having a harder time with long days. Wears him down. I offered to host, but with a new baby, that’s a lot to ask.”
Bear lifts his beer. “Ayita and I will come.”
Hangman nods. “I’m in. I can come by your house after I leave Sunny’s.”
A couple other members wander over, and Bear fills them in. Within a minute, they’re all agreeing—my brothers are embracing her. Livy stares at them, wide-eyed, her expression caught somewhere between surprise and awe.
I lean down, close to her ear. “You okay?”
She nods, blinking fast. “Yeah. I just didn’t expect…” She glances at Ayita. “Hey, can we talk?”
Ayita hesitates, her gaze flicking toward Bear, but then she smiles. “Sure.”
I brush a kiss against Livy’s temple before she walks off with Ayita. When I turn back, Bear’s watching them too. “Trouble in paradise?” I ask.
He exhales. “It’ll be okay.”
I raise a brow. “That didn’t sound convincing.”
He ignores that. “I got word that the Judge Executive’s been snooping around, trying to find out who’s behind the corporation building the casino.”
“They won’t find anything,” I say, keeping my tone steady. “Everything filters through two conglomerates and a shell consortium. None of it leads back here. We’re clean.”
Bear nods slowly, thoughtful. “Good. The town will have no idea until we’re ready to open. Once the board of directors are in place—all our elders in the community, along with me and you—we’ll be solid.”
“You ready to be a corporate head?” I ask with a grin.
He smirks. “Actually, I’ve been thinking. You should keep running it for the club. CEO suits you better than it does me. You’re good at this shit. It’s not my thing.”
I frown. “Are you sure? That’s never been the plan, Bear.”
“Hell yeah,” he says. “Club still gets its cut. Still holds controlling shares. You just keep it clean, keep the money flowing, and make sure nobody gets a whiff of what’s under the surface.”
I nod, but there’s something tightening in my chest. “I was hoping we could talk about letting Livy in. She deserves to know.”
Bear scratches his beard, eyes narrowing. “I want to tell you yes, brother, but this thing’s bigger than just us. Not until we’re open and our operation and liquor licenses are locked down. Once all the purchases are finalized—then maybe. Until then, you keep her out of it.”
I grit my teeth, frustrated but understanding. “Fine. What’s the latest on Ghost Town?” I ask about an old amusement park that the club is keen on purchasing.
“Offer’s in. Now we wait. The realtor said there was another offer, so we’ll see, I guess.”
Before either of us can say another word, a flash of movement catches my eye.
Layna. Fuck.
She’s all long legs, short skirt, and trouble, her bleach-blonde hair teased to hell and her top showing more skin than fabric. She squeals my name, and before I can brace, she jumps—literally jumps—into my arms.
“Layna, what the fuck?” I grunt, grabbing her instinctively so I don’t topple backward.
She laughs, nails dragging down my shoulders. “They told me you were back in Cherokee, but I hadn’t seen you. You look different. Love the haircut, baby.”
I step away fast, jaw tight, eyes scanning the crowd for Olivia. I don’t see her yet. I lean in close to Layna’s ear, voice low and sharp. “I’m not back. And you will not talk about me like I’m club. You get me?”
Her grin falters. “So, the rumors are true.”
“What rumors?”
“That you’re trying to go normal. Dating some uptight bitch outside the club.” She tilts her head, mean smile curling her lips. “You really think she can give you what you need? I know exactly how you like to party.”
“Layna,” I warn, “let it go.”
She laughs softly. “Just saying—no one knows how to please you like I do.” Her eyes flick past me and she smirks. I turn and see Livy walking toward us, expression unreadable. Layna’s voice turns syrupy sweet. “Is that her?” She slides a hand across my lower stomach. “Why don’t you ditch her, come party with me and Tickles? We’ll make you feel real good.”
“Am I interrupting?” Livy asks, voice calm but cold.
“No,” I say at the same time Layna snaps, “Yeah, bitch, you are.”
I move to shut it down, but Bear’s faster. He grabs Layna by the throat, his voice a deep growl. “Listen, cunt. You see that cut Livy’s wearing? Did you read the patch?”