Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 58408 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58408 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
I flush, and then cover it with a snort. “Come on now, don’t start getting soft on me.”
The grin he throws in my direction is devilish.
“How’re you feelin’ about all this?”
“You sound like Ruger,” I sigh, but offer a small smile. “I’m scared as hell, but ready.”
“We’ll make sure none of this comes back on you.”
“What about you?” I say, meeting his gaze. “You’re already on everyone’s radar for what you did to get Ruger out...”
He leans down, his lips brushing mine, so lightly I almost wonder if I imagined it. “Trust me, baby. All is good. I’m not goin’ anywhere.”
“You talked the law, that doesn’t come without consequences. Even I know that.”
“Club’s got my back, and unless someone squeals, I’m good. You gotta trust me.”
I hold my breath, then let it go slowly. “Okay.”
“Come on, let’s get this done.”
I follow him inside and join the rest of them. I take inventory with a list Zane gave me, Mera and Nia string cable along the rafters, Sable and Kael mixing up a batch of something so caustic my eyes burn from twenty feet away. Wolfe is sitting on an overturned bucket with a clipboard, scowling at his own handwriting. Knox is having a deep conversation with Talon.
It’s all happening.
After a couple of hours, I have to make the call to Ralston. Everything is ready now, and I have to play my part. Knox is by my side as I pull out my phone and dial Ralston’s number. I have to be cool, calm, and collected, because he can’t sense a single difference in me or this will blow up before it, well, actually blows up.
The phone rings twice before Ralston picks up. “Well, this is a surprise.” He sounds amused.
“I need to talk to you. Can you meet me?”
My voice is clipped, but considering that is how I always talk to Ralston, it shouldn’t come as a surprise.
“What a cold reception,” he tuts. “I thought we were friends.”
“Do you want to meet me and hear what I have to talk to you about, or not?” I grind out.
I hear a long, deliberate inhale. “Tell me when and where.”
“Alley beside the thrift store in town. Twenty minutes.”
He chuckles. “I do need a new coat.”
I want to punch him.
“Twenty minutes.” I snap, hanging up.
I shove the phone into my pocket and turn towards Knox. He doesn’t say anything—doesn’t have to. He just wraps a hand around the back of my neck and tugs me in, his mouth finding mine in two seconds flat. It’s a fast, angry kiss.
“You got this,” he murmurs when he pulls away.
Yeah, I do.
I get myself cleaned up, and then with one last glance at the club, I get in my car and drive into town. I have to make sure I am my usual sassy, pissed-off self so he doesn’t suspect anything.
When I arrive, I see him right away, leaning against the brick wall with his arms crossed. He’s wearing a suit, like he’s stopping off after work, like he isn’t a walking felony waiting to happen. His smile is too white, too practiced.
I approach him, and his grin only gets bigger. “You look tense, Callie. Loosen up.”
“I’m not in the mood for your bullshit tonight, Ralston,” I mutter. “Let’s get this over with.”
“Why so moody, Callie? I thought we were friends.”
“I want out,” I say, not bothering with this conversation a second longer. “I don’t want to work for you anymore, and I need to know what it will take for that to happen.”
His smile wavers, just a smidge. “I thought you knew better than anyone there is not getting out just because you want it.”
“Listen, buddy,” I say, stepping closer. “I know you were behind Harper’s death. I may never be able to prove it, but I’m not stupid. I also know it’s because she wanted to get away from you. I am asking you what it is you require for me to get out alive. A simple question, let’s not play games.”
He stares at me, and I want to swipe that smug expression right off his face.
“What if you’re what I want?”
“Don’t play with me, Ralston,” I hiss. “Just tell me what you want.”
He chuckles, unbothered by my mood. “The farm.”
I blink, shocked. I thought he would say money, maybe something with the club, but I didn’t expect him to say the farm.
“Excuse me?”
“If you want out, I want the farm, the land, and everything that comes with it.”
“Why? It’s a rundown old bucket of shit.”
“The house might be, my dear, but the land and the cattle your uncle bred are worth a lot. That line, it’s one I wouldn’t mind keeping.”
I make a mental note to do a little more research on the farm and the cattle because obviously, it is worth a little more than I first anticipated.