Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 73208 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73208 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Stellan turned to look at me, and the slight nod of his head meant I had to start talking to folks and stop standing off alone, looking like I was here to kill someone. Which wasn’t the plan. We were going to hurt him first.
Jameson Chester was an asshole. He’d been born into this life and not done a damn thing to deserve the successful business he was given. His father had been the one to build the whiskey empire that he was now running into the ground with his inability to handle funds. Taking him out of this world wouldn’t be something to mourn. But that wasn’t my call.
I saw Joel Highland, the state’s chief justice, headed my way. It was too late to join Thatcher at the bar. I had to pretend to care what he had to say. The man was powerful, but he too was indebted to us. He’d had to ask for more than one favor over the years. In return, he was ours to control. Even if he liked to pretend otherwise.
“Storm Kingston,” he said with a smile breaking across his round face. “How’s your father? I didn’t see him with Stellan.”
“He’s good. It’s his and Mom’s anniversary. They’re off celebrating,” I explained.
He chuckled. “Well, now, you gotta keep the wife happy. I hear Stellan has a horse in the Derby this year that’s already being predicted to win. That’s normally Garrett’s good fortune. He’s not racing one this year though, it seems.”
I shook my head. “Not this year. Blaise is sitting this year out for the main race. Next year though, he’s already preparing for.”
He nodded. “Ah, yes. Blaise is now handling the horses too, I see.”
I wasn’t answering that. Not his business. What the boss did or did not handle within the family was something only we knew. Blaise Hughes had taken over his father, Garrett’s, position as boss more than a year ago now. Stellan, along with my dad and the other older members, hadn’t been sure about that move at first. Blaise was known for his brutality. However, he’d managed to gain more influence and power in a short time, proving everyone wrong and justifying Garrett’s decision.
Joel shifted his gaze to the left and smirked. “He’s got balls, that one,” he muttered, then shook his head. “Sol Mercer will demand her daddy get his head on a plate if she finds out he’s already cheating. But then you have to commend him on taste. His new one looks like a supermodel. Even makes Sol seem plain.”
Sol Mercer was the youngest daughter of Dorian Mercer, owner and CEO of the Mercer restaurant chains. I had met her once, and hopefully, I never had to suffer the experience again. I turned my head to see what female Jameson Chester had arrived with while I straightened, preparing to alert Thatcher that he was finally here. I froze when my eyes locked on the woman Jameson had on his arm.
Fucking hell. This had to be a joke. I’d thought she was stunning in a pair of jeans, cowboy boots, and a halter top. I blinked, slightly stunned. Jesus, that woman was lethal.
“Beauty, isn’t she? How did Chester manage that?” Joel asked.
I was pissed at my own reaction to her. I knew what she was, and I hated it. She was as shallow and manipulative as she was gorgeous. Sure, I respected the fact that she’d overcome a shit past, but there were other ways to do it. She’d chosen one that I couldn’t overlook. Well, this time around, she’d latched on to the wrong guy. He didn’t have the money to pay her off. He was in so much debt; he was barely keeping his head above water. I hadn’t known he was engaged to Sol, but it made sense. He needed the money, and she had access to millions.
I saw Jameson tense the moment he spotted Stellan. His eyes swung right, and when he saw Thatcher leaning against the bar, watching him, I could see the sweat beads pop out on his forehead. I waited as his eyes scanned the room until he found me. I simply nodded my head once.
Yeah, fucker. You asked for it. Now, here we are.
I refused to allow myself to look at Briar again. She wasn’t my concern. I was here to deal with her date. She probably needed to get an Uber home; Jameson wouldn’t be in any shape to drive. Thatcher moved first, and Jameson smiled brightly as he headed in the opposite direction.
I turned my attention back to Joel. “If you’ll excuse me, we have some business to handle.”
Joel paled slightly, as if suddenly understanding, and stepped back, giving me a wide berth. “Of course. Be sure to tell your father he was missed.”
I didn’t respond as I walked over to Thatcher, who was moving in behind Jameson. He’d more than likely try and get himself surrounded by people, but it was a waste of time. There wasn’t a soul here who would stand in our way.