Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 94921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
“I think it would be easy to do that.”
“Put Raven on the phone,” Smokey said.
“You can attempt to lie to me, but it never works. I think I should just warn you of that, and if you want Ava to be protected, give me the heads up about any potential threats. I can help. Ask my brother.”
She tossed her cell phone across the counter and watched Raven as she caught it, without fumbling with it.
“It’s me,” Raven said.
She didn’t hear what was being said, but while Raven was distracted, she used that opportunity to get back to the main shop. Raven didn’t try to run after her. She considered that a win.
The moment she got to the main counter, three people entered while Raven continued to talk to Smokey in the back. She had gotten quiet, so she couldn’t hear what was being said, which did piss her off, but she kept a smile on her face as she helped the customers.
When the last one left, Raven came back through to the main part of the shop and handed her back the cell phone. Harlow took a quick glance to make sure it was all working and she hadn’t deleted or changed anything. In fact, there was a change. Raven had put her number into the cell phone.
“We don’t know if there is a threat to the bakery. There is a threat to the club and the last time, the bakery was targeted because of Smokey. You know how he feels about Ava. She got hurt.”
“And so did you,” Harlow said.
“Yeah, and so did you. We weren’t prepared, but now we are, and nothing is going to happen.”
“Do I get to know who the threat is?” Harlow asked.
Raven stared at her.
“You don’t know, do you?”
“Your ability to do that is kind of fucking freaky.”
“Power of deduction,” Harlow said. “Just the ability to read a situation and know what it means. I want to help.”
“All you can do is keep an eye on Ava, mind the shop, and don’t get yourself into trouble.”
“I’m never in any kind of trouble.”
“Yeah, and don’t think I didn’t see Hunter’s number in your cell phone,” Raven said.
Shit. Fuck. Shit.
“I have all kinds of club members’ cell phone numbers. I have you, Ava, my brother, Smokey…”
“And you have no reason to have Hunter’s. Don’t think I forgot the shit that went down,” Raven said.
“Nothing is going on.” Not technically a lie. Nothing at this point was going on.
Raven stepped toward the counter and placed her hands on the surface. Harlow stared into her eyes and waited. She should have expected something like this to happen.
Club always had each other’s back. It was rare for it to be any other way. Harlow waited.
“Hunter will not change. He is a good VP, a good club member, but he is one of the worst when it comes to women, Harlow. I’m not trying to hurt you, but I am putting you in the picture. You’ll be nothing but pussy to him. Hunter doesn’t get drawn in by romance or women.”
“And you don’t think any woman can change him?” Harlow asked.
“No.”
“You changed Carlos.”
“I didn’t change Carlos. He already wanted me, there’s a difference.”
Harlow winced. “Thanks.”
“Shit, it’s not like that. Hunter wants you. I saw it over Christmas with the way he looks at you, and even in a room full of women and men, he seemed drawn to you, but you and I both know you’re a virgin. You’re untouched.”
“You don’t know that,” Harlow said, but her argument was weak.
“Don’t lie.”
“Look, nothing between Hunter and I is happening. Yeah, I had a little crush on him, but that’s all it was. Nothing is going to happen now or ever.” She had her fingers by her side, but she crossed them, so Raven didn’t know she was lying. She hated lying. Lies always led down a path of pain, for nearly all parties involved. She’d vowed to never lie.
“I don’t want you to be hurt,” Raven said. “Trust me, I know Hunter, and it won’t end well. Not for the two of you.”
Harlow wasn’t going to argue with her. Deep in her heart, she knew anything she had with Hunter would be a disaster. There was nothing long term, nothing but sex. Hunter hadn’t dressed up what they were going to do. He’d not even told her what they were going to do. For all she knew, he was going to humiliate her and turn her against him completely. Was it wrong of her to partly hope that was the case?
“I know there’s nothing I can do or say to stop you, but I hope you see sense, Harlow. For your own sake.”
****
Friday Night
Hunter had called Harlow and let her know he was running late. He expected her to call it off. Instead, she agreed to meet him near the church, at the corner of the road.