Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 67795 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 339(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67795 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 339(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
“I would love that, Daddy. Have a good day at the office.”
I peck his cheek, grab my purse and work bag, and leave before my mom reminds me that she hates it when I wear my hair down.
I slide into the driver’s seat of my red Camry and drive down the long driveway to freedom.
By the time I walk into the church to meet with Pastor Braden, I feel much better, how I should feel on my first day of work.
“Letty! Welcome to Destiny of Life Church as an official employee.”
I laugh at his boisterous greeting. “Thank you for having me, Pastor. And thank you for offering me the job.”
“No thanks necessary.” He grins and motions for me to follow him to the left of the pews and down a well-lit hall lined with doors on both sides.
“I had no idea you were pursuing a degree in finance in addition to Theology, or I’d have recruited you months ago.”
His shoulders slump as he pushes open a door on the right.
“This is your office.”
I gasp. “I get my own office? Surely that’s for a more senior employee?”
“My dear, you are the treasurer, which, around here, means you are in charge of all things finance-related. You are the most senior member in your department if that makes you feel better.”
It does, actually. “Thank you. I’m eager to get started.”
“Marjorie will come in soon with your new employee paperwork. I trust you know how to fill out forms for taxes and such?”
“I do. I have my I.D. as well.”
“Perfect. While you wait for Marjorie, feel free to settle in and arrange things to your liking. You and I will spend the afternoon going over my needs and expectations for the job.”
It all sounds so exciting, and I’m so eager that I move my desk toward the window so I can look out at the church gardens. Then, I rearrange my desk so that everything I need is in arm’s reach before I turn my attention to my desktop computer.
There’s payroll software and other software for donations and fundraisers. I take my time and do tutorials for each program, and by the time Marjorie arrives, I’m thrilled to get to work.
This is the start of everything, a new path.
A whole new future that allows me to serve the community as well as the Lord.
My mother’s attitude be damned.
Chapter Two
Shades
“We need to find out who the fuck took our money, and then we need to get it back. With interest.”
Ace, our club president, is furious. So pissed off that he’s foaming at the mouth talking about how some assholes broke into our clubhouse and stole from us.
He called church early this morning, and we’ve been sitting in this room, around this fucking table for hours. Spinning our goddamn wheels.
“We know who the fuck took our money,” I tell him and look around the table to see who agrees, who disagrees, and who doesn’t have shit to say. This robbery didn’t feel right. It stinks like a week-old fucking corpse, and I can’t shake the feeling, no matter how hard I try.
“It was Hector and the Kings. We know that much. Don’t we?”
Yeah, my words are accusatory, and I don’t give a shit. There’s no way in hell a small contingent of Hector’s men were able to get in here while we were rescuing Kelsey and McKenna.
Ace nods his agreement. “I’m with you, brother, but we need to be sure. Wild Man, you been able to find anything yet?”
Club secretary and tech genius, Wilder shakes his head and lets out an animalistic grunt. “Not one goddamned thing. Yet. The power was cut, so all the surveillance is out.”
“Fuck,” I practically yell in frustration.
“There’s a backup genny that kicks in after fifteen seconds without power, and I’m sure it took those fuckers more time than that.” Wild Man grins. “Looks like they used one of those cheap scramblers you can buy at the spy shop on Sunset. The footage is wonky but nothing I can’t handle.”
Ace looks from me to Wild Man. “Nothing but this until you have something for me.”
“Got it, boss,” he says without looking away from the monitor.
“In the meantime, what do we do about the lost revenue?”
Leave it to Preacher to worry about the guys and the workers. It’s his strong suit, and the guys are damn lucky to have him looking out for them.
“I got some backup cash,” Ace informs him. “We’d be sitting fucking ducks if we kept all our cash in one spot.”
“Thank fuck,” Preacher growls. “What do you need from us, Ace?”
“What I need more than anything is intel. Find out who’s spending cash they shouldn’t have. Listen at the bars and clubs for anyone talking shit, taking credit for this. Even if it’s some stupid fucking frat boy trying to impress a girl, I want them brought to me. Immediately. Got it?”