Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 43402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 217(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 217(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
They’ve all been getting kickbacks for years from the old casino across town, smiling while the rest of the citizens just scraped by. So yeah, I’ll admit it—I’ve been enjoying their panic a little more than I probably should. Let them sweat. For once, the system isn’t working in their favor.
Blade has shown me the plans for everything—the resort, the spa, the restaurants, even the boutique shops that will fill the top floor. The plan is massive, more than anyone in this county has dreamed of. If the so-called “leaders” here knew just how big it’s going to be, they’d probably start holding emergency meetings to figure out how to sabotage it all—but they can’t.
Not this time.
The permits are clean. The zoning is airtight. Every dotted “i” and crossed “t” is locked down tighter than a safe. And sure, some of that is because Blade nudged the right people, pulled a few strings that might’ve been better left unpulled. The circuit clerk’s “private files” proved useful, and the county clerk—well, Blade’s negotiations were equally effective there, too.
Normally I’d feel dirty about Blade using blackmail and manipulating people. But this town has been bled dry by corruption for too long, and if a few underhanded plays get us a casino that can rebuild Cherokee—new roads, better schools, and jobs that actually pay a wage that will support a full family—then I’m fine. The good outweighs the bad in this instance. I don’t have trouble falling asleep in Blade’s arms at all.
We’ve gotten so much closer this past month. I’ve seen him outside the armor he wears for everyone else, seen the heart that drives him. He told me about his mom, how she held their family together after his father disappeared. He said that’s why he is helping the Saint’s and working so hard now—to make sure no one else feels that kind of hunger or fear.
I asked once about his brother. He smiled—soft and loving. He said I’d meet him soon. “Maybe at our wedding,” he joked, and I’d felt that flutter in my stomach that I hadn’t felt since high school. It made me laugh, but also made me realize just how deep I’m in.
We’ve had bumps, sure. The fight about the Saints Outlaws was the worst. The fact that he wants to be part of them one day, still scares me. The club world isn’t something I will probably ever trust. Still, Blade promised me he wasn’t going anywhere. I’m his future and I believe him when he says that.
Some nights when he holds me, I catch myself feeling that this is my life from here on out and I want that more than I can say. The only thing holding back my complete happiness is my past and the fact that there’s a lot he’s still in the dark about. I keep meaning to tell him more, to let him see it all, but every time I try, the words tangle in my throat.
Tonight’s a club party. My stomach’s been tight all day. I try to reassure myself that it’ll be fine. Blade said it’s outdoors, nothing like the loud, crowded places that make my chest lock up. He’ll be there. So will Bear and Ayita. I won’t be alone.
I still don’t want to go.
Yet, I love him and loving him means trying. That doesn’t mean I’m not dreading it. I like the guys that I know. Ranger still makes my skin crawl, however. I can’t even explain why—maybe it’s the way he stares, like he’s looking through me instead of at me. The others? They’re fine. Loud and rough, but loyal in a way that’s almost sweet. Ranger? Yeah, he’s the one that gives me that ‘run’ instinct every time he walks into a room.
I take a deep breath as I move toward the mirror. My jeans are simple, dark and fitted. The navy T-shirt is plain, but it’s Blade’s favorite color, so I guess I’m sentimental now. My hair’s loose and curled at the ends, falling halfway down my back. I tell myself it looks casual, and not like I’ve spent twenty minutes fighting with the curling iron.
The door opens behind me, getting my attention. I turn and see him standing there, filling the space like he always does. Blade’s eyes flick over me, slow, assessing, full of something that makes my knees weak.
“You look nervous,” he says.
“Most men tell their women they look great when they haven’t seen them all day,” I tease.
He grins, then pauses mid-look. “Is your dad here?”
“No. He’s at his buddy’s watching the Tennessee–Florida game.”
“Is there a way both teams can lose?” he mutters.
I laugh. “You realize you’re in Tennessee, right?”
“Yeah, but I’ve always held allegiance to Kentucky in basketball. You can’t hold that against me.” I roll my eyes and elbow him, and he grins, leaning down to kiss me. “You look good enough to fucking eat,” he murmurs against my lips. “And if I had time, that’s exactly what I’d do.”