Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 81009 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81009 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“Um-hmm. He’s pretty great,” I replied with a disgusted tone.
I all but cringed as I watched Kate fawn all over him, cuddling up in the crook of his arm and showing her unwavering adoration for him. Unfortunately, I couldn’t tell her he was a psychopath who’d threatened her life. Instead, I could only stand there and watch the disgusting display. It was a tense situation that was only made worse when Rafe pulled up in the driveway. We all watched silently as he got off his bike and started in our direction. Playing it cool, Rafe smiled and said, “Hey, Kate. Eric. Marlowe didn’t mention you two were stopping by.”
“We’re not staying,” Eric responded as he slipped his arm around Kate’s waist. “In fact, we were just leaving.”
“Don’t rush off on my account.” Rafe looked up at me and smiled as he said, “Why don’t y’all come in and have a drink before you rush off?”
“Thanks for the offer, but it’s getting late, and I’ve some work I need to finish on my latest project.” Eric glanced down at Kate as he continued, “And I’m sure Kate’s eager to get back to the hotel.”
“Yes, I am.” Kate turned her attention to Rafe. “Maybe another night.”
“Sure thing.”
Rafe stepped to the side, giving Eric and Kate room to make it down the front steps. Rafe and I watched as Eric went over to the passenger side and opened the door for Kate. Once she was settled, he made his way over to the driver’s side and got in next to her. After a quick wave, Eric backed out of the driveway, and they were gone. Continuing to play along, Rafe looked over to me and asked, “When did they get here?”
“Kate was here when I got home.” Rafe followed me inside as I told him, “She came to apologize for everything, but mainly, we talked about her and Eric.”
“Oh really?” He locked the door behind us, then chuckled. “Trouble in paradise?”
“Hard to tell.” I turned out the lights and started to the bedroom. “I think she’s feeling a little neglected because he’s been so busy with his new project.”
“Ah.” He removed his cut and boots, then his jeans and t-shirt. As he got in bed, he asked, “He’s in real estate or something, right?”
“Um-hmm. Something like that.” Doing my best to undress in the corner, away from the view of the camera, I pulled off my shoes and jeans, then turned off all the lights. As I got in the bed next to him, I whispered, “I don’t really know what he does, nor do I care.”
“Not a fan, huh?”
“Not a fan at all, but my opinion doesn’t really matter.” I snuggled up to him and placed my head on his shoulder. It was amazing how having him close immediately set my mind at ease. I let out a slight yawn, then muttered, “Kate has never listened to me, so she’ll have to make up her own mind about him.”
“She’s a smart girl. I’m sure she’ll figure it out.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I usually am,” he teased as leaned down and kissed me softly on the forehead. “It’s late. Get some sleep.”
I didn’t argue. I was feeling safer and more relaxed than I had in days, and I owed that all to him. Country couldn’t have been more spot on when he compared Rafe to a wolf. He and his brothers were a pack who lived by their own rules and didn’t apologize for the fact. They would stand tall against Eric and whoever he had working for him, and they wouldn’t back down until there was nothing left of him. It was a thought I looked forward to as I finally drifted off to sleep.
Chapter 19
Rafe
“Here’s everything I was able to find on Stark Realty.” Menace tossed a folder on the conference table as he continued, “The guy has been buying and selling old worn-down buildings all over the South. Looks like he stays there long enough to establish his clientele, then he sells the place and disappears.”
“So, who are we thinking this guy is?” Viper asked. “Is he Polito’s right hand or is he running his own show?”
“What I can gather from the emails and the message Marlowe left for us, this guy’s been trying to make it look like Polito is still running the show.” Menace reached into the folder and took out a piece of paper. As he offered it to Viper, he said, “And get this ... On more than one occasion, they’ve even referred to him as Scar.”
“You gotta be fucking kidding me.” Viper took the paper, and after studying it for a moment, he looked back to Menace and said, “So, he’s not only Stark. He’s our Scar.”
“Looks that way.” A strange look crossed his face as Menace looked over to Country. “There’s one more thing.”