Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 108988 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 545(@200wpm)___ 436(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108988 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 545(@200wpm)___ 436(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
“Mr. West.”
A brief chuckle left him. “How about we just use our first names? Tristian. I’ll call you Blake? Is that okay with you?”
I lifted up a shoulder. I wasn’t really sure what was going on here. I looked up and down the street, but didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. “Are we at war again? Is this the first offensive being launched?”
Another brief chuckle, but it sounded more forced. “No, Blake. We have an understanding. Lane with Ashton and I.” He gestured behind me. “I’m not sure if you’re aware, but I was previously approached to see if I wanted to help invest in this facility.”
“What?”
“Imagine my surprise when I realized you were one of the volunteers.”
“Are you going to do it? Invest?”
“I already have. Let me correct myself, I’m the reason it’s up and running.”
Oh. I was stunned. He would’ve needed to already have invested before—“Are you the reason I was asked to volunteer?”
The slight grin faded from his face. “No. My investment in this place has nothing to do with my other business.”
“It’s not a moneymaker. Why invest?”
“Did you know that Molly was also in foster care?”
I frowned.
“Ashton’s better half, as he would say.” He shrugged, his eyes trailing behind me to take in the center. “It was the right thing to do. I have a plethora of ventures. Places like this, plus others. Legit businesses as well. I’m sure you can imagine. Lane runs the businesses the Worthing family used to have, plus a good amount of his own. He does well. He has his hand in multiple pockets too.”
My mouth flattened. “You won’t be able to use me to control Creighton, if that’s why you’re here.”
“That’s not why I’m here.” He gestured behind me. “They’re having a Christmas event. Of course it’s a big fundraising event as well, but I’d intended to bring Ashton and Molly. Ashton doesn’t know about my involvement with this center. I’m not sure if you’re aware, but Lassiter has been showing up lately.”
He was ping-ponging around, and the last was a surprise.
I missed Lassiter. And the fact that he knew something about my brother that I didn’t, pain sliced me.
“They’re rebuilding her bowling alley. He’s been around. He and Pialto have—they’ve grown close. I don’t know the exact nature of their friendship.”
That felt like another stab in my chest. Lassiter was getting close to someone?
“Pialto and Sophie are coming to the Christmas event. They know it’s meant to be a surprise for Molly. I’m assuming Lassiter will attend with them in some form or fashion. Jess’s mother and brother are also attending. The center is a good foundation for all of us to come together and move forward. With Lassiter and Pialto, your volunteering here, I’d like to invite everyone to the party. Your housemates. You.” His mouth dipped down as he added, curtly, “Lane.”
I almost laughed at the contempt he couldn’t contain, but the rest, it did feel like he was sincere. Or he was trying.
Lassiter.
I missed him.
I also missed Creighton.
I swallowed a knot. “If Last is attending, we’ll be there.”
“Excellent. I’ll let the board know. You can look for the invitations in the mail.” He was getting ready to leave.
Nerves suddenly hit me. “In the warehouse, you mentioned that I was also a player on the board. What did you mean by that?”
He stopped short, surprised. “Because you are. I wasn’t talking about just the power you hold over Lane. Though you do. That power can’t be ignored. Your boyfriend is like an assault rifle, and you’re the pin that either turns him into a killing machine or you can keep him as just a pile of metal. But no, that’s not all I was referring to. I meant you as a player. In a similar kidnapping situation, my wife wouldn’t have reacted as you did. She would’ve gotten free, but she might not have done it as fast. She would’ve raged. She would’ve yelled. She would’ve stolen someone’s gun and shot her way out of that building. Molly would’ve been sweet until she flipped a switch she has. After that, I don’t know the destruction she would’ve left in her path, but I know there would’ve been a trail. You, though. You shut down. You quieted. You just did the work, like a professional. No fuss, no ripple. You were there, and then you weren’t. It’s your natural default setting. And knowing that, I feel reassured letting the war stop where it has, letting Lane remain operating in my city.”
I was dazed at all of that.
“Creighton once told me that I’m bad at what I do.”
I almost laughed. “That sounds like something he’d say.”
“He was right, in a way. This business is dirty. It’s cruel and cold and ugly. I am not a bad man, but what I do is bad. I get that. There might be a time in the future where Ashton and I decide to go legit, and there will no longer be any West or Walden Mafia business, but that’s not today. Or tomorrow. And until that day happens, I’m okay knowing that your boyfriend is another threat in this city. It’s like we had a wolverine trying to break into our house. Ashton and I decided to open the door. The wolverine is now in our house, but you know what else? If anyone tries to get in, they have to get past that same psychopathic wolverine because it turns out, he is lethally protective of the ones he loves. I can work with that.”