Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77118 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77118 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
To that, Konstantin’s brows raised.
“Why would your woman be staying at the motel?”
“It’s complicated. But it won’t be happening again.”
“The motel has cameras now,” Mikhail said.
“They were offline somehow.”
I watched as the two of them shared a look, one that I’d shared with Cillian Murphy and with my men. One that said this was looking worse and worse.
It would be one thing to attack Nyx. That was sloppy. Ugly business. But to somehow override security cameras then go through her hotel room with a lock that shouldn’t have been able to be picked? Yeah, that spoke to experience, to professionalism.
I mean if someone just spray-painted or disconnected the cameras, maybe I’d feel different. But someone had done something to the system.
“What are you thinking?”
“That there was a recent release from prison,” Konstantin said.
Fuck.
Right.
“Erion,” I said, nodding. “I’m not positive, but I don’t think the timeline works. Not with all the notes and shit she’s been getting for a long time anyway.”
“Could it be two unrelated things?” Konstantin suggested. “A member of Czar’s family keeping her connected to the business, and then someone else attacking her?”
“Anything is possible,” I admitted. “That’s kind of the problem,” I said, reaching up to rake a hand down my face.
“We will ask around,” Konstantin said, shrugging one shoulder, then waving a hand out in a gesture that said he didn’t have a lot of hope of turning up anything useful.
“I appreciate it. I know our organizations haven’t been exactly close, bu—“
Konstantin’s raised hand had me trailing off.
“In the interest of full disclosure, we prefer not being friendly with the other organizations,” he told me, point-blank.
“I get that,” I agreed, nodding.
“We know that you and the Murphys have become… entwined,” Konstantin continued. “We are not interested in that. But I believe I speak for my brother and myself by saying we are willing to discuss town issues should they pop up.”
“Understood. You know where to find me if you ever have any town issues to discuss,” I said. Only because it was safe to. Because he made it clear he wasn’t looking for allies.
“We appreciate that. I will let you know if I find anything out about who attacked Nyx.”
“Thank you,” I said, nodding at him, then Mikhail, before turning and making my way out.
“How’d that go?” Cillian asked, standing in the alley next to The Bog where I’d fucked Nyx that night that suddenly felt like ages ago.
“Surprisingly well,” I told him. “They aren’t looking for allies, but made it clear they’re willing to discuss, and I quote, ‘Town issues’ if or when they pop up.”
“That’s good then,” Cillian said, looking tired. “How’s Nyx?”
“She’s alright. Safe. That’s all that matters right now. Though she’s bitching about wanting to come back to work sometime this week,” I said, rolling my eyes.
“You really think you’re gonna win an argument with that woman?” he asked, smirking.
I knew he was right.
But the part of me that was interested in make-up sex with her made me want to try.
“I know,” I said, shaking my head. “And I know she won’t accept money so she can stay out for a little longer, either.”
“Independence is hot, but frustrating in times like this,” Cillian agreed. “She can come back, though. We’re always here. It’s public. No one is going to attack her here.”
That was true.
It was what Nyx had insisted.
And she had bills and shit to pay. Furniture to replace. I understood.
That said, some selfish, almost caveman part of me wanted her to stay in the clubhouse and never leave. Just always be there with me.
I didn’t understand that urge. But then again, everything with Nyx was new to me. I was surprised by the almost immediate sense of possession, this innate urge to protect and take care of her.
I’d never considered myself a caretaker type. Sure, I handled the club and the issues that arose, and all the financial shit that came with being a home and land owner.
But the more touchy-feely shit? That wasn’t for me.
Except, it seemed, when it came to Nyx.
As if I’d summoned her, my phone started to ring in my pocket.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah? That’s how you answer your phone?” Nyx said, and I could practically hear her eyes rolling.
“You calling just to give me shit?” I asked, hearing Cillian let out a snorting laugh.
“While that would likely bring me a lot of joy, no. I want to come with you to my apartment.”
“I can grab your shit, Nyx,” I reminded her.
“You know, you say that. But then you’ll forget important shit. Like my hairbrush. And underwear.”
“You won’t be needing those,” I told her.
“See? You can’t be trusted. Come get me.”
To that, I let out a sigh, just for effect since I was actually smiling.
“Yeah, I’ll scoop you up. Be ready in five.”
“You’ll wait as long as you need to wait,” she told me, just to be difficult.