Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 77980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
And that was all right with me.
“Hey, Mo, ready to head out?” Hulu popped his head inside the dining room with a wide smile.
“In a minute,” I told him and counted out my tips for the night. I left ten percent for the kitchen staff because those boys deserved it, which also meant I never had to wait. “Okay. Ready.”
Hulu nodded and headed toward the front door to unlock it. His big body took up the whole doorway, and I had to shimmy between him and the metal frame just to get outside.
“Sorry,” he said, backing away as much as he could.
“Don’t be. Those giant muscles are real eye candy.”
“Yeah?” The surprise in his voice made me smile. For all his big-ass muscles and tough-guy persona, he was a big kid at heart.
“Yeah. You know you’re gorgeous, Hulu. That’s why you end most nights with panties in your pocket.” I laughed at the blush that was so red I could see it under the harsh lights of the parking lot.
He laughed and shook his head. “That’s only because they think I’m a stunt double for The Rock.”
“Hardly. It’s a reason for all those ladies to get close. Trust me.” The good guys never knew how appealing they were, and the bad ones thought they were God’s gift to womankind.
“If you say so.” Hulu helped me into the back of the car and jumped behind the wheel. “You don’t mind me driving you home?”
“Nah. I know Jasper’s been worried about all the employees since the shooting. My old driver was too new to earn his trust, and he kicked him to the curb.”
Hulu’s dark brows rose in shock. “You always have a driver? Lucky lady.”
I shrugged off his words. “I’ve been around for a while to earn these perks.” Of course, it didn’t hurt that I knew where a few bodies were buried, and I had a knack for pulling intel from my late-night clients. I was helpful to Sadie Ashby, and she compensated me well, but that was my business.
Our little secret.
Hulu nodded, understanding that I wouldn’t divulge those secrets. For a hot second, I wondered if it was some kind of test, and if so, was it initiated by Jasper?
“Here we are, Princess, a penthouse suite at Emerald Isle.”
“Thanks, Hulu.”
“My pleasure. Maybe one day you’ll tell me how I can earn one of those condos.”
I slid from the backseat and smiled up at him. “Maybe. Thanks for the lift.”
“Not so fast.” He grabbed my arm, and I froze, my fight-or-flight instinct kicking in immediately.
I turned with hell in my eyes and arched a brow. “Excuse me?”
“I gotta make sure you get inside safely. Boss’s orders.”
My shoulders relaxed. “Of course. Sorry.”
“Don’t be. A woman can’t be too careful. Ever.”
I laughed. “Like I’d stand a chance against you, big guy.” He was built like a brick shithouse, just as wide as Jasper and a good five inches taller than his six-foot frame.
“Good thing I’m one of the good ones, then. Come on, Mo.” Hulu took up half the private elevator, but he smelled good, so I stayed quiet and enjoyed the silence. He swept the rooms and smiled. “All clear. Have a good night.”
“You too.” I stepped inside the lavish condominium and kicked off my shoes before heading to the waterfall shower. I liked the water hot enough to turn my skin pink. I was determined to wash off the smell of Jasper because I couldn’t allow him to infiltrate my dreams.
Not tonight, anyway.
CHAPTER THREE
Jasper
“I just wish you’d fucking wake up,” I said to Sadie’s still form. She was lying in the hospital bed, looking peacefully asleep when that was the furthest thing from the truth.
The first bullet had caused nothing more than a flesh wound, slicing open the skin on the side of her neck. It was already healing, and the cosmetic surgeon had assured me there would be no scarring. But, if he was wrong, he’d have to deal with Sadie.
If she ever fucking woke up.
The second bullet had caused all the damage, including the headache and worry of the past two weeks. Two weeks and two days, to be exact.
That bullet, described by the doctors as a deep graze, had bled like a motherfucker. It was deep enough that they were concerned about brain activity and had recommended a medically induced coma to give her time to heal.
So here she lay, as still as a corpse, while the entire hospital flitted around to make sure the owner’s mother didn’t die on their watch.
“This fucking sucks,” I sighed and dropped down into the cushioned chair at her bedside and let my head fall back so the tears in my eyes wouldn’t fall. I didn’t cry. I wasn’t a child anymore. I didn’t do vulnerable. Or emotional.
I was Jasper fucking Ashby, head of the Ashby Organization, the oldest son of Sadie Rose Ashby, the baddest bitch the Nevada underworld had ever encountered.