Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 104329 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104329 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Raven chuckled. “Don’t be so surprised. I’m a fast learner, and seeing as you guys have been our enemy, I make it a habit to learn all the details.”
“Ah, yes, the details.”
“So, do you have any idea of what kind of woman you want?” Raven asked.
“No.”
Carlos glared.
“That bad a selection?”
“They are all terrified of me.”
Raven shrugged. “That is what you get when you’re the boss. People are afraid of you.”
“You’re not?” Carlos asked.
She snorted. “No, I’m not.”
When it came to Carlos, she had barely any feelings at all, or so she kept on telling herself.
****
Raven had lost too much weight. Carlos didn’t like it.
She wasn’t a slender woman when they first met. She had meat on her bones, sexy as fuck. She was still sexy, but he saw the difference in her. Why wasn’t Smokey taking care of her? He saw how withdrawn she looked. The jacket that had fit her like a second skin hung off her shoulders.
Dark circles lined around her eyes, and he noticed she didn’t wear much makeup either. Her luscious black hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and that didn’t look healthy either.
Raven was … sick.
Hurt?
He wasn’t entirely sure what she was, but he wanted to fix her.
Why wasn’t the club taking care of her?
The waitress brought over their orders, and he watched as Raven took the burger in both of her hands and bit into it. She wasn’t delicate. Her mouth was full, and she put the burger down, lifting her hand to cover her mouth as she chewed.
She loved her food, and he could see that and appreciated it.
Raven would certainly make for an entertaining companion when surrounded by his capos.
Sebastian had refused to come with him back to Fort Clover. That was okay for Carlos. He already had all the network in play. Sebastian was being followed, and all of his phone calls were being recorded.
Carlos smiled. Everything was set up back at his home.
Sebastian had thought that Fort Clover was a base for him to get close to Raven, and yes, that was partly accurate, but not entirely.
Carlos suspected a power play, and so, he needed a place no one would come to, where he could set up the necessary cameras and watch and listen to everything happening. Fort Clover was the best place for that.
Smokey was aware of his … concerns.
“Are you not eating?” Raven asked.
He picked up his burger and took a bite.
With his plans to keep watch on his capos, he wasn’t able to bring the chefs he liked, so he had no choice but to order takeout.
“Delicious, right?” Raven asked.
“It is, actually.”
“You’re such a snob.” Raven finished her burger within a few bites, and Carlos was impressed. She certainly loved her food.
With the burger done, she ate her fries and called for the waitress to bring her a chocolate shake.
“You were hungry,” Carlos said.
Raven looked at him without saying a word.
“You don’t trust me.”
“You’re the enemy,” she said. “Why would I trust you?”
“Have I not proven myself to you time and time again?”
“Carrying me out and taking me to the hospital doesn’t prove anything.”
“You shouldn’t have allowed yourself to be beat up,” Carlos said.
Raven shook her head. “And what? Allow Ava to get hurt again?”
Carlos stared at Raven.
He knew all about what went down between the club and Smokey’s wife. Carlos had ways of getting all the details he needed. Some of the women were … loose-lipped, especially when they were removed from the club.
Smokey was cleaning shop.
All the women who had been taken from the club were all involved in hurting Ava.
Carlos stared at the woman across from him. Did she believe her days were numbered at the club? Was that why she looked so sick?
Was she hanging on by a thread?
“You wouldn’t have been hurt,” Carlos said.
“Ava is not … she doesn’t deserve to have any kind of pain. I would gladly have given my life for her.”
“She’s a woman that has evoked such loyalty,” Carlos said.
“Yeah, but if I had a choice with you,” Raven said. “I’d have let him kill your ass.”
Carlos put a hand to his chest. “The pain.”
Raven chuckled.
“I see that smile.”
“Shut up.” Raven shook her head. “How the hell did you get the job as the Boss?”
“I’m charming, charismatic. Sexy as fuck,” Carlos said. “It’s all superficial in this day and age. You don’t need to worry about owning that actual title. I’m a celebrity.”
“And you’re full of shit.”
“That too. I hear killing people helps,” Carlos said.
“Ah, so I can come and take that job for you?” Raven asked.
“You’ve killed people?” he asked.
“Several. Especially those that deserve it.” Raven smiled.
He saw the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“You’re a mystery, Raven. If that is even your real name?”
This caught her attention.
He watched her reaction.
She was frozen still.
He had to wonder why.