Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
“Noticed what?” Leo asks.
“There’s hardly anyone from our chapter in the area right now.”
“They don’t want you here.” I look around at everyone. “They don’t want me here. Guys, please be careful.”
Antonio puts his hand on mine. “Don’t worry, sis. Whatever they’re doing, we’ll figure it out. And then we’ll stop it. Together.”
“According to the internet, these work really well.” Mabel carefully smooths a silicone patch over my neck. “Wow. It really makes it harder to notice.”
“Yeah, that helps a lot,” I tell her, looking in the mirror. “Thanks.”
“Of course. Now we can go live and do a Q&A while I do your makeup.” She puts her phone on a tripod and pauses before hitting the button to go live. “I think I am going to stick to only doing live streams from home for a while. And wait a day or two between capturing content and posting it.”
“That’s not a bad idea,” I say, sitting in the makeup chair at her vanity. “I think it’s smart and then you’re not rushed to edit anything.”
She smiles. “Right, that’s a good way to look at it.”
“Zeke and I are going to dinner and a movie while you do business stuff. We’re talking Devon. I think getting out of the house will be good for him.”
“It will. Where are you, uh, going to dinner?”
She shrugs. “Somewhere downtown. I’m not eating. Zeke is. Probably Devon too. I’ll feed the ducks while they eat. I love feeding the ducks. I used to go all the time with a bag of stale bread.”
Should I tell her there probably won’t be any ducks out at night? Nah, I don’t have the heart for it
“Okay, ready?”
“Yeah,” I tell her and straighten my shoulders. She starts to livestream and we both smile and say hi. People join in droves, asking us questions while Mabel does my hair and makeup. About an hour later, the livestream has ended and I’m getting in the car with Xavier and Theo. We have a business meeting tonight, much like the first one I ever attended.
We’re downtown again at another high-end restaurant, seated in a back room that’s served just for us. All the usual players are there: the alphas from the Charlotte and Raleigh packs, reps from the VC, the same older man from the Morris family, a couple cops, and a couple guys who have to be from the 704 Reaper gang.
“Florence,” Larkin says with a smile when she sees me.
“Crown Alpha,” I reply, giving her a curt nod. Hey, I got the greeting right this time. “Pleasure to see you again.”
“Likewise.” She pats my shoulder. “Thank you,” she says quietly.
“Of course,” I say back. “I’m a witch of my word.”
Larkin eyes Xavier. “She’s out of your league.”
Xavier’s large hand lands on my lower back. “I’m very well aware.”
We’re seated and the first course is served to the humans almost right away. I’m starving, and I devour half my salad while Xavier and Theo talk business.
“Yo, Xavier,” one of the Reapers says. “I heard something really interesting.” He leans back, flashing his gold-covered teeth. “One of my guys says two chicks were sniffing around my territory yesterday. Going to one of my business establishments and then later these clowns show up.” He motions to the cops. “We had a deal, did we not?”
“I fail to see the problem,” Xavier replies.
“Yeah, I thought ‘cha might. The funny thing is, my guys saw your ol’ lady there and say she was the one who snitched.”
In the blink of an eye, Xavier is across the table, and the guy’s fork has been stabbed right through his hand, pinning it to the table.
Holy shit. My heart skips a beat and my mouth falls open in shock.
The guy screams and one of his buddies jumps up, pulling a gun from the waistband of his pants.
“I already said my wife is to be treated with respect,” Xavier says calmly. He steps behind the guy and takes a fistful of his hair, pulling his head back so he’s forced to look up at him. “Calling her a snitch isn’t very respectful is it?”
The guy holding the gun cocks it, and the click reverberates through the now-silent room. Theo speeds over and has the gun in his hands in just seconds. He unloads it and takes the bullet from the chamber, dropping it on the floor. Then he takes the pistol in both hands and bends it so the muzzle is against the frame.
“Please, be civil,” he says and puts the gun on the table, smirking. He knows his display of strength is terrifying to all the humans but me.
“Apologize to my wife,” Xavier tells the guy, hand still gripping his hair.
“I--I—I’m sorry,” he stutters. “My guy was mistaken. I’ll gouge his eyes out for it.”
“They will be delivered in a box to show your sincerity,” Xavier says, holding him spellbound. “By tomorrow morning.”