Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 133975 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 670(@200wpm)___ 536(@250wpm)___ 447(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133975 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 670(@200wpm)___ 536(@250wpm)___ 447(@300wpm)
The three women sitting at the table with her didn’t seem the least intimidated. When Savage had made his statement in his scary, droll voice, several of Hannah’s customers laughed nervously. Lyric couldn’t help watching the various women as they made excuses to walk past Savage and Keys multiple times. Two of the women actually dropped something right in front of Keys. He didn’t so much as glance their way, but Lyric could tell he was irritated. That meant she was going to get a lecture on women throwing themselves at men who clearly weren’t interested.
The door to the Floating Hat opened and Reaper stepped in, looked around, taking in everything and everyone before he stepped aside for Czar. When he did so, his gaze rested momentarily on Anya, and in that brief moment, his very tough features softened.
Czar exuded power just walking into the shop. Nodding to Hannah and Sabelia, he walked straight to their booth. He came up behind them and tipped Blythe’s head back and took her mouth, a crushing, claiming kiss that sent a shiver through Lyric.
Blythe blinked up at him. “You’re a surprise.”
He grinned at her. “Scoot over, babe.” Lyric got up and gestured to her seat as she sat across from them. Czar sent her a small smile of thanks. He gave Seychelle a single look from his silvery eyes. “You doing okay, Seychelle?”
She nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
“We’re going to have to figure out how to better protect you. Can’t lose you or your man. We have to get serious about this.”
She scowled at him and gave him the chin lift. “Everyone’s always serious when it comes to me.”
“Seychelle.” Savage said just her name, but Lyric recognized a warning when she heard one.
Seychelle flushed and looked down at her teacup.
Czar reached for a scone. “Naturally, everyone is serious about your life, honey. You’re Torpedo Ink. If we’re not looking out for you the way we should, we’ll have to change that. It’s a priority for the club.” He leaned into Blythe. “My woman is my priority, and I’ve been letting too many problems get in our way. I swear, baby, we’re going to clear our schedules and get away together for a week or two.”
Blythe smiled at him. Lyric could see it wasn’t a genuine smile. “Like that would really happen. Every other moment there’s a club emergency, and it’s the same at home. One of the kids is always sick.”
“Fortunately for us, some of the club members have acquired partners. That’s unfortunate for them because we’re going to get out of here.” He turned his head and looked straight into Blythe’s eyes. “I need it. You need it. We’re getting pieces of us taken, and there’s nothing filling us back up. I’ll do the planning, baby. You just have to come with me.”
“I’d follow you to hell, Czar,” Blythe said.
“That’s my line,” he said. “We’re setting up in the back room. When Sid and his brothers come in, do me a favor and keep a low profile. Once we’re out of sight, it won’t matter. I don’t want to draw any attention to any of you. Fortunately, this place is packed.”
“Are you worried something is going to go wrong?” Blythe asked. “We can leave.”
Czar laughed. “Baby, we’re here because my personal big badass enforcer is going to see to his favorite chick, and she wants to spend a little time with her friends. If the three of you leave and head back to Caspar, we’ll be holding a meeting in Lyric’s salon. Might not be a bad idea.” He turned his piercing gaze on Lyric. “You can give haircuts while we hash out a deal with Headed for Hell.”
Lyric knew he was teasing by the sudden laughter in his eyes, so she managed a smile in return.
Seychelle glanced over her shoulder to send Savage a loving look. “He is rather wonderful, isn’t he?” she asked Czar.
Czar groaned and shook his head. “He’s a major pain in the ass.” Leaning, once again, into Blythe, he brushed kisses all over her face. “I made reservations for us to hit Crow 287 tonight for dinner. Darby isn’t working and will watch the kids for us. Sometimes I need to discuss things with you, and can’t because our lovely little family interrupts every two seconds. Need your input, baby. Can you be ready by seven?”
Lyric had to admit Czar was smooth. He sounded and felt sincere.
Blythe nodded, looking pleased. “A night out with you sounds amazing.”
Lyric gazed over her shoulder to take a long look at Keys. He was so still that he had nearly disappeared into the shadows. If it weren’t for the occasional woman still attempting to get his attention, she knew he would be difficult to see. That made no sense, as he was a big man.