Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 67795 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 339(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67795 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 339(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and my goal is to work to become a better Christian, not a perfect one.
“That’s good to hear because I need you to give Shades or any other member of the Reckless Souls anything they want. Whatever they need.”
Anything they want.
Those words play in my mind in a way they shouldn’t, period, and certainly not inside the walls of a church. Anything they want could be anything. Does that include me? Do I want it to include me?
I don’t know what I want, but one flash of Shades’ smiling face, and my whole body heats up, tingles settle in certain parts of my body. That kiss is as close as I’ve been to a man ever, yet here I am having naughty thoughts about the biker. In front of my pastor.
“I know you’re uncomfortable about this, Letty, but this is something that has to be done. You said you were done judging them. Are you sure about that?”
He’s misunderstood my silence so I rush to assure him. “Yes, I’m sure. Positive, in fact. I was just reminding myself that I can disapprove of someone’s lifestyle without disapproving of them as one of God’s children.”
Placated, Pastor Braden nods. “Good. That’s very good to hear.”
“We’re all a work in progress,” I remind him. “A wise man preached about it last week.”
He smiles and says, “Wise and striving to be wiser.”
I nod and wait until his smile starts to dim.
“Can you tell me why I have to give them anything they want, and what does everything include?”
“It includes money, Letty. I wish I could tell you more, but it’s better for everyone if I don’t. Keep track of what you give them somewhere unofficial and give it to me at the end of each week. Can you do that?”
“I can.”
I don’t like it, but I also don’t like the prospect of losing this job so quickly. And I can admit to myself that I do like the prospect of seeing Shades again.
“I promise. I may have questions, but I promise to do my job to the absolute best of my abilities.”
“That’s what I like to hear.”
He stands and sends me a grateful smile before shuffling out of my office.
Alone with my thoughts, I wonder what the pastor has gotten himself into and, more importantly, what he’s gotten me into.
Chapter Ten
Shades
Yeah, Ace definitely stuck me with the shit job as punishment for showing up late to Church. Protecting Destiny of Life Church is the last fucking thing I need.
On the other hand, protecting the church means spending time with Letty. Time that’s not in my dreams where I order her down on her knees, and she goes willingly, stroking my cock a little rough the way I like it before she wraps her rosebud lips around me. I prefer dream Letty sucking me bone dry to the real-life thing, who makes me feel shit that doesn’t make sense, shit that can never come to be.
“Fuck.”
I need to get her out of my head while I’m on the road. Riding distracted is never a good idea, not to mention it’s stupid as fuck because the last I came to this church two fuckwits jumped me. But Ace put me on church detail—as punishment—so I make my way there. Again.
I wear my kutte just as Ace instructed because the Reckless Souls aren’t making a secret of our presence here. We want anyone watching, especially the Iron Kings, to know this place is ours, and we protect our turf. Fuck with this place at your own peril.
Inside, the church is eerily quiet, like a funeral is about to take place. The pews are empty save for a few stray bibles and books. The communion table is bare save for a purple and gold runner down the center. There are no sounds, no weeping or singing or praying. Not one fucking sign of the holy ghost. Nothing.
Doesn’t matter. My job today is to talk to Braden and let him know what’s going on. I walk down the long hall where official church business is done, skipping Letty’s office in favor of the larger, more homey office of the pastor.
Figures he gives himself the best room in the joint.
I shove that thought down because no matter my feelings for the pastor or any organized religion, right now, we’re allies. We need each other to exist.
“Come in,” his deep voice says from the other side of the closed door.
I push open the door and step inside. “We need to talk.”
To his credit, Braden doesn’t freak out or play the damsel in distress role. He nods and sits back in his chair, tossing his pen on the desk before folding his arms. “What’s going on?”
I take another step inside and push the door closed for privacy before I tell Braden about the parking lot incident yesterday.