Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 94997 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94997 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
“You’re such a dick,” Dutton replies. “I need you to come to Pearl. I’ve already called Eli and Ford. I’ve got a problem.”
Dutton doesn’t give us orders because we don’t work for him, but the four of us are close, and we always look out for one another. “How come Eli isn’t the one calling me?”
“Let’s just say he was in a compromising position when I called.”
I chuckle and hang up on him, taking the next exit. I tap my fingers against the steering wheel to the beat of the music, a sense of anticipation filling me at the hope I might be able to finish the night with some killing. Some might say killing people is a job for the already depressed. I would like to argue that. I’m a very happy person. Well, I was up until my brother was poisoned. Now, there are ghosts that drag me down, but even then, I try my hardest to run away from them.
I don’t see the point in getting depressed about things for the simple reason that I grew up not knowing if Ford and I would make it to the next day. It all changed when we met Anya and River. We were given a second chance. And I don’t take things personally unless they are.
Out of the two of us, Ford is the one who looks like he could be depressed, even though he lives with the same reverence for the life we’ve built that I do. The only time I ever really see him happy, though, is when he’s with Billie or tattooing. And it hurts a bit to know I can’t give him that same feeling.
I enjoy my adoptive parents’ company, too, but it’s different. My mother would judge half the shit I get up to, which is exactly why she’s worried I’ll be the one bringing grandbabies to her doorstep. Their relationship is dysfunctional at best, mostly because Anya is outright crazy. River is the only positive male role model we’ve had, and he’s the one who taught us that women are to be worshipped.
Before they welcomed us into their home, no one ever really loved us. And while I can say Ford and I loved each other, it’s not quite the same as being loved by parents.
My mother has unorthodox ways of expressing love, like teaching us how to micro dose on poison. Some would call it child abuse, but in the world we live in, it’s a matter of survival. And she was right. She was the first to teach me what a powerful woman is, and in my line of work, I’ve realized how women can be just as deadly, if not more so, than men.
Eli’s wife is the best sharpshooter I’ve ever seen. And Hope loves to kill people for her art, which is a little morbid, but whatever. And then there’s Ivy. I haven’t completely figured her out yet, but I’m becoming more curious by the day. My beautiful little hacker who likes to keep what she does hidden. I don’t understand why she wants to keep it a secret. She’s good and, in my opinion, probably better than her father. But I might be biased.
Everything is changing around us, and I can’t help but feel like I’m being left behind. So when Dutton calls me to Pearl, I jump on the opportunity because right now, I feel like my work is all I have to give me purpose. I don’t think I’m depressed, but I’m certainly not having as much fun lately. And I don’t know if it’s a dangerous thing to expect Ivy to help with that.
Ford’s car is already parked outside. When I walk through the back door of Pearl, I see the action is in full swing. I peek past the curtains to see one of the dancers beautifully angling herself on the pole. I fucking love women; they’re the best. They have a grace that men just don’t have.
“Hey, big boy,” Mike, one of the bartenders, says as he steps up behind me. “I hope you plan on paying.” His tone is flirty as I turn to face him.
“Here on business tonight, unfortunately,” I reply.
“Pity,” he says, looking me up and down before hooking a thumb over his shoulder. “They’re in the office. Still sure you’re straight?”
I shrug as I walk past him with a smile. “I’m not sure on much, but that I’m sure about. I’ll let you know if it changes.”
“Flattering,” he coos as he continues on his way to the bar.
Eli, Dutton, and Ford are already in the office. I close the door behind me. Dutton is sitting behind his desk, sipping a glass of whiskey. Eli is standing beside him, doing the same, and Ford leans against the bookshelf, scrolling through his phone.