Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 48700 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 244(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48700 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 244(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
I don't know who she is, but I like her. I don't think she lets him get away with much.
"Jesus Christ, Memphis," the man in the suit says. "You didn't tell me you skipped practice."
"Oh, so he left that part out, huh?" Riley smirks.
"Fuck off, Dalton. I had shit to do." Memphis narrows his eyes on the man. "And I didn't hear you bitching when I was helping you handle your shit this afternoon, now did I?"
"What shit?" Riley asks.
Dalton, the businessman, scrubs a hand down his face. "Don't fucking ask," he growls.
"Oh, definitely ask." Memphis's eyes light up. "I had to bail his sorry ass out of jail today."
The entire group turns to gape at Dalton.
"I'm not fucking talking about her," he growls, plunking his beer down on the table.
"Her?" Riley whispers.
Dalton growls again but won't say anything further. Riley huffs at him and gives up, turning to the Viking. "Why are you here, Priest? Please don't tell me you were in jail for stalking your girl. I can only handle so much bad news at once."
"I don't fucking stalk her," Priest growls. "I just keep an eye on her since she won't let me close."
Memphis's friends lead interesting lives. I have no idea what they're talking about, but I inch closer anyway, eating up every word. Is it like this for every rich and famous person?
"She still isn't talking to you?"
Priest shakes his head, his expression dejected. "Do you blame her? As far as she's concerned, I ran off and left her behind."
"You need to tell her what really happened," Riley says, patting him on the shoulder.
"I tried," he growls. "She told me to kick rocks."
"And you listened?" Riley rolls her eyes. "If you give up that easily, you don't deserve her."
"No, I didn't fucking listen. I'm just giving her time to cool down."
"Good boy." She pats Priest on the head, beaming at him.
"Hey." I grab Jessup's arm as he tries to slide around me. "Who is she?" I nod at Riley.
He glances at Memphis, the woman, and Cash, and then grins. "Riley Jamison."
"I already know her name. Who is she?"
"His manager."
"Oh."
"She plucked his sorry ass off the street and turned him into a star." Jessup's rough laugh rolls over me. "Been giving him hell ever since." He eyes me sideways, as if he's considering something. "Kind of like you. Only he isn't losing his mind over her."
"I…"
He slides by before I can come up with a suitable response to that. Does the whole damn bar know that Memphis wants to sleep with me?
I don't see how, considering that he's been off doing other things most of the time since I started working here. I thought he was dealing with his music career. Apparently not, judging by the Riot Act his manager is reading him.
I lean against the side of the bar, watching her give him nine kinds of hell while he mixes her a drink and tries to plead his case. She isn't buying it.
"You told me running this place wouldn't interfere with the music," she says, crossing her arms to glare at him. "Don't make me tell you that I told you so. You know it's my favorite thing to say."
"Running this place wasn't the issue today, Riley," Memphis says, his tone light despite the assertiveness that lies beneath. "I had to handle something personal." His gaze flickers in my direction and then away. "I'll be there next time. I promise."
Something personal? I narrow my eyes on him, avidly curious what he had to do and what it had to do with me. And then his bruised and scraped knuckles flash through my mind. My heart sinks.
He went after Phantom today. I don't even have to ask to know that's what happened. He was so angry last night. Of course he went after him.
Yet again, I can't help but wonder who the real Memphis is. He's not the monster I've heard stories about, the one who supposedly got my brother killed. No, this man is far too protective and caring for that. But can I trust him? Can I put my heart on the line for someone who might just break it into pieces?
"I'm holding you to that," Riley says, her tone firm. "If you skip out again, I'll have you playing for Logan for the next year straight. Do not test me. I mean it."
"Jesus fucking Christ, Riley. You're a savage, you know that?"
As they continue their conversation, a new group of bikers spills into the bar, heading for my section. I grab my pad, push my conflicted thoughts to the back of my mind, and head their way to get their drink order.
Halfway back to the bar, my neck prickles. I glance behind me to find Venom's denim eyes locked on me, his stare cold.