Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 119011 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119011 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Mike pointed at Leo. “Remember what I told you!” He laughed and was the first one to leave, once Zolt unlocked the shop.
His family’s visit had stressed him the fuck out, but things were about to get even worse, because he’d be confronting Zolt. He could sense the heat of Zolt’s gaze on him, and both wanted to talk to him already and prolong this moment before an approaching argument that was already causing tremors down his back.
But once the car disappeared from sight, he had no choice but to face the music.
Where were the annoying customers when they were needed? A whole lot of them had come by before Zolt had arrived and couldn’t get into the shop. Now? There was no one.
He dashed to Zolt with purpose that had Zolt backing into the shop. Leo locked the door behind them with one of the many bolts.
“What did you do?” he asked, but then repeated it louder. “What did you do? Now the Jackals are convinced we killed one of theirs! That guy was supposed to disappear without a trace!” he growled and pushed Zolt in frustration.
The massive chest barely budged, and Zolt shook his head, mouth twisting into a crooked grimace. “I didn’t mean to. I forgot I wasn’t supposed to know who died. What would you have done in my place, huh?” he asked in a tone as sharp as the knife he’d sold Mona, but just stood in the middle of the shop, shoulders slumped.
Leo rubbed his forehead. “I don’t know! Lied better? This is a fucking mess. And what happened while you were gone? You sold them more guns? Do you understand what position you’re putting me in?”
Zolt inhaled loudly, as if he were about to choke, but his piercing gaze remained steady, pinning Leo in place. “I ask you again—what was the alternative? You were right behind that door. They’d have found you and killed us both!”
The worst thing was that he was right. If the Jackals had known about the arrangement Zolt had with the Smokeys, they’d both be dead.
Leo spread his arms. “There’s no other way. We’ve got to come clean to the club.” It made him sick to his stomach, but at least some of this tangle would unravel.
Zolt blinked, and when a car drove into the lot, he grabbed Leo’s shoulder and pulled him away from the windows, toward the back rooms he called his home. “No. You can’t do that.”
“I have to tell them the fire under their feet just got hotter. And you said you won’t do more business with them. Smokeys have to know what’s going on, or they’ll fucking kill you if they find out from a different source!”
Zolt let out a laugh and rested his hands on his hips. He spun around and walked behind the counter, then into the apartment. “They’ll kill me anyway if they find out. You can’t be so fucking naive! What, you think they’ll just give me a slap on the wrist?”
Leo bit the inside of his cheek so hard he tasted blood. He was complicit in it all. “I’ve got to warn them. Maybe I’ll just let them know I heard one of the Jackals boasting that they didn’t need your guns when you denied them business, and that they were sure the Smokeys offed one of theirs.”
“Technically, a Smokey did off Joe,” Zolt said grimly.
“You were there! It was an accident!”
Ignoring the knocking on the shop door, Zolt sat on the sofa, resting his elbows on his thighs. “Accident or not, it’s all the same. The man’s dead, and I saved your ass. And now you want to push me under the bus? I have no friends here, Leo. Nobody’s gonna stick their neck out for me.”
Leo didn’t even dare mention Zolt’s poker buddies, since Zolt had already told him they were more like casual acquaintances than friends.
Something else hit him, though.
“Would you not like that? I know it’s not a quick answer to anything, but Zolt… you’re tough, you’re an associate, and you’ve got a mean-ass Harley. I could sponsor you prospecting…”
Zolt lowered his head and cradled it in his hands, contemplating the floor. “I’m not good with people. And besides, they’d never let me prospect if they knew I had anything to do with the Jackals,” he said in a dull voice.
Leo scooted down to look into Zolt’s face. The idea of Zolt becoming a member of the Smoke Valley MC was like rocket fuel added to his blood. Suddenly, their future crystallized in front of his eyes.
Zolt would become a member, he’d be trusted, he’d gain the friends and family he didn’t have, and—and what? Would he be Leo’s… boyfriend? How would that even work?
Leo grabbed Zolt’s hands. “You were forced to interact with the Jackals today. You’re not actually in business with them.”