Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 133975 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 670(@200wpm)___ 536(@250wpm)___ 447(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133975 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 670(@200wpm)___ 536(@250wpm)___ 447(@300wpm)
He slid his thumb over the back of her hand and tugged her a little closer to his solid frame. He didn’t tuck her under his shoulder because she was so small and it would add to the illusion that his woman was a weak link and would need to be protected at all times. Torpedo Ink members tended to believe that meant she couldn’t be privy to anything they did. He intended to include Lyric in as much of his life as he possibly could. He knew being open between them was the only way a woman like Lyric could give him the kind of trust she would need to be his partner.
“You good, Wildfire?” He asked for verbal confirmation with one hand on the door.
“Yes.” That was firm. “You were right. I wasn’t looking at this meeting properly. I’m kickass when it comes to clients.”
He shoved open the door but sent her a frown of disapproval. “What did I tell you about your foul mouth? You have that temper and you swear. Now I find out you do the same when you’re in a stressed state.”
Lyric walked through the door laughing. Czar was leaning against the curved bar and turned toward them at the sound. Beside him, Savage and Destroyer did the same. Keys knew Czar deliberately had Destroyer there because Lyric would recognize him and be that much more at ease. Steele was present and with him were Code and Absinthe. Keys looked around the large, cavernous room. If Steele, their vice president, was there, Maestro would be close. Like Czar, Steele had guards. Keys and Maestro were the usual.
Maestro was tucked back in the shadows, up against the wall, where he could easily command the room should he need to defend their VP. He didn’t move, not even to acknowledge Keys with a chin lift. He clearly was hoping Lyric wouldn’t notice him. Something was up and it involved his woman. Keys didn’t like being blindsided.
“Thought we were going to introduce Lyric to a few of the women,” he said, keeping his voice even. “Told Lyric all about Blythe.” He made certain that didn’t sound challenging, but he knew Czar would get his message.
“Blythe is hoping to meet Lyric a little later. We’re still working on Jimmy’s teeth. She took him to the dentist. Ordinarily, I go with them, but I considered welcoming your woman very important.” Czar smiled down at Lyric, his eyes turning almost a glittery silver.
There was no way for Lyric to appear taller, and she didn’t try. She flashed her million-dollar smile right back at Czar. “That was kind of you, giving up taking your child to the dentist.”
Savage and Absinthe gave a little snort of derision. “No one wants to take Jimmy to the dentist,” Absinthe informed her. “Czar sounds like he’s being sweet and kind, but don’t let him fool you. He deliberately scheduled this visit for the exact time that kid was going to be seen by the dentist.”
Czar didn’t look in the least uncomfortable or remorseful at being called out. “Blythe let me know I owe her big-time.”
Lyric laughed. “I look forward to meeting Jimmy. He sounds like a handful.”
“Be nice if you could give the kid a haircut,” Czar said. “He kicked the last hairstylist. I had to do some fast talking to keep her from suing us for damages.”
Lyric raised an eyebrow. “Damages?”
“Her ego, mainly,” Czar explained. “She’d bragged to Blythe countless times she could cut Jimmy’s hair with no problem. We told her how he was. He doesn’t like being touched.”
“He wants to wear his hair long like Czar’s,” Steele explained. “It’s just that there’s no taming that boy’s wild hair.”
“Is that why I’m here?” Lyric asked, sounding innocent. “You’re going to set me up to take on the child from hell? My equipment is brand-new. I just had everything burn up in a fire. I’m not certain I want little Jimmy to smash my equipment.”
“Little Jimmy?” Absinthe echoed. “He’s nearly as tall as you. Kid’s growing like a weed.” He sent her an engaging grin. “You cut many kids’ hair?”
Lyric dropped her teasing and nodded. “Yeah. I’ve been lucky; most kids like me.”
“You cut hair for any of the members of Headed for Hell?” Absinthe asked. He nodded toward what Keys knew were the most comfortable chairs in the room.
Keys walked Lyric over to them while he contemplated the question. Absinthe was a human lie detector. There was no reason for Lyric to lie about anything, but just having Absinthe question her made Keys uneasy.
“Pretty much all of them eventually. And their women. The women came in first and the men followed.” She was matter-of-fact, sinking into the chair, looking perfectly at ease, but she didn’t pull her hand away from his.
Keys brushed his thumb over her inner wrist, a soothing caress, telling her she was doing great. He was proud of her. He wasn’t certain where this was heading, but Lyric was just as aware as he was that the conversation had a point.