Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 72126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
“That’s good. Maybe Viper was right. Out of sight. Out of mind.”
“Somehow, I doubt that.” I grimaced. “Turns out, the guy’s old man is a big shot judge who’s got half the damn town in his pocket.”
“No shit?”
“Yeah, he’s a heavy hitter, and he’s had his son’s back since day one.” I shook my head as I continued, “This asshole has been causing trouble since high school. Fights, drinking, assault—whatever you can think of, he’s done it. But every time, his old man’s there to sweep it under the rug. Cops? Paid off. Records? Cleaned. Like none of it ever happened.”
“Alright, he’s got a rich dad who gets him out of shit. That doesn’t explain his fixation on the girl.”
“Probably less about her and more about being told no. That’s something this guy isn’t used to. Hell, he’s been getting away with whatever the hell he wants for years, and when Whitney tried to cut him off, it probably set him off.”
“So, we’re not dealing with some pissed-off ex. We’re dealing with a guy who thinks he owns her.”
“Exactly and mark my word. This guy isn’t done with her. He’s gonna keep coming after her, keep pushing, until either he breaks her or kills her.”
“Then we make damn sure he doesn’t get near her.”
“He doesn’t stand a chance.”
He gave me one of his looks as he asked, “So, you and Goose are good to keep watching over them?”
“Got no reason not to.”
“Well, let me know if that changes.” He gave me a pat on the shoulder. “You boys keep on keeping on, and if you need me, you know where to find me.”
He talked with Rusty for a few minutes, then returned to his post at the back. While there weren’t any more fights or handsy assholes, we stayed busy right up to closing. But as soon as the lights came on, the crowd cleared, and we were able to get everything shut down for the night. I’d all but forgotten about Candace and her offer until she came over and slipped her arm around mine. “So, your place or mine?”
“How ‘bout we just hit the clubhouse for a bit? I’ll get a prospect to run you home later.”
“Sounds good to me.”
We locked up, and Candace followed close behind as Rusty and I made our way out to the truck. I was surprised he didn’t give me any shit when she climbed in the back and closed the door. Instead, he got in next to me, leaned his head back, and closed his eyes. Concerned, I asked, “You good?”
“Yeah, just tired.”
He kept his eyes closed all the way back to the clubhouse, and I was beginning to think he’d fallen asleep until he mumbled, “I need a vacation... at the very least, I need to get laid.”
“You should’ve said something sooner,” Candace purred from the backseat. “There are plenty of girls at the club who would’ve helped you out with that.”
“Yeah, I know, but that’s not what I’m looking for.” There was hint of sadness in his voice when he said, “I want something more.”
I understood.
I’d been wanting something more for a long time, but that was on me.
I’d had it once and fucked it all up, and I’d been around long enough to know that chances like that don’t come around twice. Unlike me, Rusty was a good one through and through. He deserved to find what he was looking for, so I told him, “Your time will come around. Just gotta keep your head on straight until it does.”
“I’m trying, but it ain’t easy.”
“No, it’s not, but it’ll be worth it in the end.”
He didn’t respond.
He just kept his head back and let my words soak in.
When we got to the clubhouse, I parked in the back, and as soon as we got out of the truck, Candace darted over to me. As we started inside, she slipped her arm behind my waist and clung to me like she wanted everyone to know that she was mine for the night. Not that it mattered. It was late, and most of the guys had already called it a night.
We were about to start down the hall when Rusty turned to me and said, “Before you two run off, come have a beer with me.”
“I could go for a drink.” I glanced down at Candace as I asked, “You good with that?”
“Absolutely.”
With that, we started towards the bar. We were just about to reach the door when something behind us caught my attention. I glanced over my shoulder and spotted Whitney and Toby at the end of the hall. Whitney was kneeling, scrambling nervously to pick up some snacks they’d dropped. When she spotted me, her eyes locked on mine—wide and filled with something that hit me like a punch to the gut.