Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 80261 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80261 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
We weren’t exactly father and son. At least not by normal terms. Our relationship had always been strained. I didn’t respect him, and he knew it. He was a man that demanded admiration; he never tried to fucking earn it from anyone.
We may have been blood, but it wasn’t thicker than water.
The door to my office flew open and I thought it was my old man because he was the only one who never knocked.
It wasn’t.
In a snide tone, I warned, “Peach… Do I need to teach you some goddamn manners too?”
With a cocked hip, she stated, “First of all, my name isn’t Peach. It’s Haven.”
I sneered, leaning back into my leather chair. “Haven is a sanctuary and you’re definitely hell.”
“Well, if I’m hell than you’re the devil.”
“Peach.” I leaned forward, placing my arms on the desk. “You have no fucking idea how evil I can be.”
Her eyes blazed with defiance. “I would have knocked, but you wouldn’t have let me in.”
“Is that what you want from me? To let you in?”
“We’re going to be working together.” She shrugged. “You might as well try to be nice to me.”
“I’m not nice.”
“Your dad is. So are his biker friends.”
“You need to stay away from them.”
“I don’t need to do anything. How many times do I have to tell you you’re not the boss of me?”
“Actually, sweetheart. I am. You made sure of it of by shaking your ass to a bunch of men who would have bent you over the bar given the chance.”
“I’m not here for that.”
“Then why are you here? There’re tons of bars in your town. What the fuck are you doing in mine?”
“It’s none of your business why I’m here.”
“You could have worked anywhere. I want to know why you chose my bar.”
“Maybe if you learn how to be nice to me, I’ll tell you one day. In the meantime, I made friends with your daddy and his biker buddies. They have no problem being kind to me.”
“I won’t warn you again, Peach. Stay away from my old man and his club.”
“Are they a motorcycle club?”
“They’re one percenters.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means they’re no good and you need to steer clear of anyone wearing a cut. Understood?”
“What’s a cut?”
“Their vest.”
She thought about it for a second. “Are you a one percenter?”
“What I am is of no concern to you.”
She rolled her eyes. “Is this how you’re always going to treat me?”
“This is who I am.”
“I don’t think—”
“I don’t give a shit what you think.”
“Fine,” she confidently stated. “You want to be my enemy? I have no fucking problem being yours too.”
“Using big girl words, Peach.”
“Yeah. Here’s two more, fuck you!” With that, she slammed the door and left.
Again, I fought against the urge to drag her back into my office and bend her over my lap to teach her some goddamn respect. Instead, I focused on finishing up the payout for the night.
On my way out of the bar, I ran into my old man.
“Haven’s coming in at noon,” he shared. “Mark’s going to train her.”
Unable to help myself, I spewed, “Do you have any idea who you just hired?”
“Yeah.” He maliciously smiled. “A hot piece of ass who’s going to make me a shit ton of money.”
I sneered.
“Careful, Hayes. Someone might think you care about the girl and it may have consequences.”
I stepped right into his face. “I’m only going to say this once, so you better listen. If you or your club fucks with her, you’re going to be fucking with me. And let me remind you.” I deviously eyed him up and down, speaking with conviction…
“Nobody fucks with me.”
Six
Haven
I woke up early, excited for the day ahead.
“Where are you going?” Ledger asked on my way out the door.
“Oh!” I exclaimed, caught off guard. “I have cheer practice.”
He nodded. “Be careful driving. There’s a nasty storm brewing.”
Out of all my brothers, he was the most western. He was also the one that would eventually take over the ranch once Daddy retired. Ledger was a cowboy through and through. I think I saw him ride a horse more than drive a car. Sporting a cowboy hat and boots wherever he went. He was the most like our father.
Stubborn.
Controlling.
Always thinking he was right.
He was only twenty-nine, but always acted older and wiser than his age. He was probably the most reliable one out of all of my brothers too. Taking his role of daddy’s right-hand man with immense pride and admiration.
He kissed my forehead, and I smiled in response.
“What are you doing today?”
“Need to herd the cattle.”
“Have fun with that,” I sassed. “Maybe you should try to spend more time getting a girlfriend than being married to the ranch? You’re not going to be good looking forever.”
“It’s too damn early to be giving me shit, Teeny.”
“On that note, I’ll see you later.”