Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 76082 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76082 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
I nod.
“Don’t do anything stupid,” Badass growls.
Animal snorts. “Like you’re one to talk.”
“You’re with us, and we’re not letting that shit stain touch either you or your little sister,” Quickshot says, deadly serious.
After the meeting breaks up, and the Unwanted file out, Eagle-eye comes over to the bar and sits down on one of the stools. He raises a finger and Chef produces a fresh beer.
“This better be worth it. Cain’s always been an opportunistic asshole, and he hasn’t improved with age. No fucking way he’s the brain behind whatever they’ve got going. Just having that slimy worm in the same room makes me fucking queasy, much less having to act like I want to deal with the fucker." He takes a deep swig from the beer and slams it down on the counter. “I wasn’t sure before tonight, but they’re all dead men walking. Any objections?”
No one says a word.
“Didn’t think so. I don’t give a fuck what the law books say, but a man has to be able to look his family in the eyes and know that he’s doing his best to keep their world safe. The blood on our hands is for them, and we can’t fucking forget it.”
I’ve heard words like that before, but I’ve never been around men who live it. Who are willing to take life and death into their own hands in order to make it happen. No matter how safe they make me feel, I have to remember that these aren’t nice guys.
They’re not the boys next door.
They're dangerous and outside the law.
But the way Badass, Animal and Quickshot are looking at me makes it clear that they were thinking about me when Eagle-eye was talking. Whether it’s for forever or not, I think I’m ready to admit that there’s a lot more than just our deal between us.
Maybe it's time I give them what they paid for.
21
NATALIE
Why are my lips suddenly so dry?
Maybe it's because all my fluids are traveling farther down. The idea of giving myself to Badass, Animal and Quickshot completely is terrifying, but I don't think I've ever been this excited in my life.
“Why don’t you guys go sit down and I’ll bring over some drinks,” I say nervously. “We’ll close up, Chef. Don’t worry about it.”
“Natalie?” Badass asks, looking at me with questions in his eyes.
The meeting has cleared out, and the bar is nearly empty. In a way it’s a relief to finally have made the decision. It’s freeing, but that doesn’t mean I know what the heck I’m doing.
I chew my lip and raise a shoulder. “I’ll be over in a sec.”
Quickshot’s eyes narrow, but Animal slaps them on their backs. “You heard the woman.”
“I don’t know who you think you’re foolin’. You’re not going anywhere.” Chef wipes down the counter and tosses the rag in a little bin under the register on his way out while I dig out beers for the guys.
Butterflies twirling in my stomach, I flip on some music and pop the bottle caps. It’s just three of them, so I don’t bother with a tray, letting them swing between my fingers as I head over to a sunken booth by the stage where the guys sat down.
They’re speaking quietly to each other, but it cuts off when they see me. The way their hungry eyes follow me walking over in my skimpy outfit puts an extra swing in my step. I’m nervous, but I trust them.
They might not be what many people think of as good men, and a week ago I might even have agreed, but I would’ve been so wrong. These are good men in a very imperfect world, and that’s what I need right now. The outside world’s idea of good is too shallow to survive in this place.
“Fuck, I could get used to this,” Animal says with a sexy grin.
I put down the bottles, draw a quick, nervous breath, then sit on Quickshot’s lap. His eyes widen as I press against him. “It was pretty intense tonight.”
His hands go to my hips and his rough thumbs stroke the bare skin over the waist of my skirt. “Yeah, it was. But you did good, honey.”
I swing my leg over so I’m straddling him. I can’t make this any more obvious, but I make myself say the words. Make sure they know I’m okay with this. “I thought maybe I could use more practice. Now that it’s just us.”
His blue eyes watch me with an intensity that my poor heart isn’t sure what to do with. The other two lean back to watch, intrigued.
Quickshot picks up his beer and after a moment, lifts it to my lips. He tilts it, forcing me to take a sip. It’s bitter, rich and complicated. It suits him.
He knows what I’m offering him, right?