Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 72126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
“I’m not going to pretend that I know how things are gonna play out, but there’s just something about her... I can’t explain it, but I know this is something I need to do.”
“Then, talk to her. See what she thinks about it, and once the dust settles with this Carmine situation, you can make a move. And while you’re at it, you need to discuss what kind of work she’s interested in doing, and we need to get the kid in school. Shep can help with that.”
I gave him an understanding nod, then asked, “Is there anything I can do to help with the Carmine situation?”
“Just keep my son from doing anything stupid. He’s lost his brother, and the last thing he wants to do is lose his mother. I get that. Hell, I feel the same damn way, but we gotta be smart about this. The last thing we need is a war with the fucking cartel.”
“I’ll keep my eye on him.”
“Thanks, brother.” When I turned and started out of the kitchen, Prez called out, “Let me know how it goes with the girl.”
“Will do.”
My mind was racing as I started down the hall. I wasn’t sure who to talk to first. I wanted to clarify some things with Whitney, especially after my conversation with Prez, but Memphis was going through it. He was known for being a loose cannon, so checking in with him and making sure he didn’t do something stupid seemed more pressing.
When I got to the bar, I found him sitting alone at the front counter with a shot-glass and half-empty bottle of whiskey sitting in front of him. He wasn’t drunk, but he was well on his way. The poor kid looked like he was carrying the weight of the world on his back, and maybe he was. Things had gone south fast, and there wasn’t an end in sight.
He wanted blood. I could see it in his eyes. He was itching to do something—anything, I had to talk him off the ledge. I walked over and sat down next to him. He tightened his jaw like he knew what I was about to say. “I’ve already had one of your lectures. I’m not in the mood for another.”
“No lecture. Just here to make sure you’re okay.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m peachy keen.” He scoffed, downing the rest of his whiskey before slamming the glass on the bar. He glared at me, and that fire in his eyes was still burning hot. "Why wouldn’t I be? It’s not like everything’s going to shit, and Dad wants us to sit back and do nothing. Just like we did with Beck.”
“Hey, now.” Beck was Memphis’s brother. He’d gotten himself killed when he retaliated against the men who’d killed his girlfriend. He’d wanted the club to back him. When Prez refused, he went out on his own. “It’s not like that, and you know it.”
“Shouldn’t you be babysitting or something?” He glanced over his shoulder with a snarl. “Wouldn’t want little Bo-Peep to think you’ve forgotten about her.”
“Don’t start with that bullshit. This isn’t about me.”
“Yeah, Dr. Phil has no problem delving into other people’s shit.” Memphis cocked his brow. “But never wants to talk about what’s going on with him.”
“There’s nothing to talk about.”
“You really gonna sit there and pretend you don’t got a thing for this girl?”
Memphis knew me better than most. I knew there was no point in lying to him, but lying is exactly what I did. “Not like that. I’m just doing the job I was assigned to do.”
“Yeah, yeah. Keep telling yourself that.” A somber expression marked his face as he admitted, “I don’t know how to make any of this right, and Antonia’s all in her head over her father. I don’t know what to do or say to help her.”
“Then figure it out, ‘cause she was there when you needed her.”
I could still see the wheels turning in his head.
His chest rose and fell, his breath uneven as the words sunk in.
I leaned against the bar, looking him dead in the eyes.
“You’re right again.”
“I usually am.”
Memphis didn’t respond. He just stood up, gave me one last look, and headed out of the bar. I grabbed the bottle of whiskey and turned it up, taking a long drink before slamming it back on the table. I was surprised when I heard a woman’s voice say, “Whoa. Looks like someone’s having a rough start to the day.”
I turned and found Bridget walking towards me. “Yeah, you could say that.”
“Anything I can do to help with that?”
“Not this time.”
“Hmmm.” She walked behind the counter and stood in front of me. “Seems that’s happening a lot lately.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“First, it was Grim.” A soft smile spread across her face, and it was like she was referring to some fairy tale as she said, “When he met Jenna, that was it. He lost all interest in anyone else. And then, the same thing happened with Memphis when Antonia came into the picture.”