Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107924 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 540(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107924 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 540(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
“I won’t ask you anything else. This conversation is over.” Even though I spoke the words, I remained seated. He smiled at my feeble attempt to deny him.
“What is peace of mind worth to you? If you wish to leave without knowing, then by all means, do so. But, before you do, remember that I have the power to protect you, Dallas. While Luke is off fighting battles to protect his club, you have flown here to seek assistance from me. You know I am the only one who can help you. Why won’t you let me?” I’m not sure if it was the mention of Luke’s name or the unspoken accusation that he couldn’t protect me, but I lost it.
“Luke doesn’t need your help. I don’t need your help. I came to you because you offered to help me and I would rather bother you than him. While you’re out destroying people’s lives, Luke is fighting hard to keep his and his family’s whole. Trust me, his time is much more precious than yours. I don’t need you, Charlie, I used you. Just like you have used so many others. Thank you for giving me exactly what I needed. Now, I can go back to living my life with people who care about me, and I don’t have to worry about killing someone in return for their support.” For the first time since I had encountered Charlie, I saw a genuine, hurtful expression cross his face. I’m not sure what part of my rant had affected him, and I wasn’t going to stay around long enough to find out. I stood up from the table, turning my chair over in the process, and stomped off toward the bar, collecting Maddie and Red with just a look. If I didn’t see his face for another three lifetimes, it would be too soon.
“What happened?” Red asked, once we were back at the bed and breakfast.
“Pack your shit. We are going home tonight,” I said, throwing my clothes into my bag.
“Dallas, talk to me,” Red begged, following me from the bathroom to my room. The ride here had been silent, but now we were alone.
“Stacy didn’t do it. Frankie got someone at the restaurant to do it, but luckily they fucked up, and that’s why I didn’t die. He wanted more, but I wouldn’t give it to him.”
“How much more?”
“He wanted to share with me some valuable information and in turn he wanted me to kill someone for him. He did the same thing to Luke, using him as his personal hit man. He is a sick, demented, human being, and, thank God, we don’t have to deal with him anymore. Now will you please get your shit together so we can go?” I asked, in a huff. Red didn’t argue, and, within the hour, we were flying back to Hattiesburg.
Chapter 10
Dallas
I was in a shit mood the next morning at work, and Joanna and Kylie had avoided me at all costs. Lindsey had emailed me the list of investors that were interested in the new strip mall I was proposing. I sent the information over to the board for approval, knowing the mayor would be aware all too soon. He would take the bait, and soon the investors I had would be outbid by new ones that the mayor was backing. Ahhh, sweet victory.
“Someone is here to see you,” Joanna announced, smiling like an idiot. Whoever it was must be hot.
“Send them in,” I said, not caring to see anyone today, but knowing that now that they were aware I was here, I couldn’t refuse them. I heard her heels clicking as she hurried off to get my guest, while I tried to make my desk a little more presentable.
“Babe.” My head snapped up to find Luke standing there, wearing worn, ripped jeans, a black fitted thermal, and his thick, leather cut that had seen better days. He didn’t look like the clean-cut Luke I was used to. No, this was bad boy, dirty-biker, Luke. And he was mouthwatering. He had not shaved, his jeans were filthy, and his boots were covered in dust. He looked huge and intimidating, standing in the doorway of my office. I was so shocked to see him that I couldn’t find the right words to say or the will to move my feet to go to him. Noticing the darkness in his eyes, I knew that I was probably safer behind my desk. I swallowed and cleared my throat, hoping my voice would come out strong.
“Hey baby,” I said, as if I had something shoved up my ass. It was too high-pitched and he knew I was aware that he was pissed. His nostrils flared at the sound of my voice as he stepped inside, and closed the door behind him.