Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“Yeah,” Lucas added. “It was really good.”
“No need to thank me,” Walker replied, sounding sincere. “You boys did most of the work.”
That earned him a grin from both of them before they disappeared down the hall. I sat there for a moment, listening as they hurried up to their rooms. Once their doors closed, I got up and started on the dishes. Walker came over and opened the dishwasher, helping me load.
“You don’t have to do that,” I said, reaching for the plate. “I’ve got it.”
He didn’t even acknowledge that I’d said anything. He just kept rinsing off another plate before slipping it into the dishwasher. I shook my head and laughed, “Alrighty then.”
We moved around each other without saying much, but it wasn’t awkward or forced. It was comfortable, like we’d done it before and we’d do it again. It wasn’t long before the dishes were loaded, the counters wiped, and the food put away.
And just like that, the night was winding down. It made me a little sad, but I wasn’t surprised when he announced, “I should get going. I’ve got a shift later tonight.”
I nodded, then followed him to the door. I followed him down to his bike. Without warning, he reached out and cupped my face, gently pulling me towards him. His mouth met mine, and he kissed me, slow and easy.
My hand came up to his chest, grounding me as I leaned into him, quickly becoming lost in his touch. I had to give it to him. The man knew how to hold me close and kiss me in a way that made me lose myself in him, and I liked it. I liked it a lot.
When he pulled back, our eyes met, and my breath caught when I saw the intensity in his expression. “Can I see you Saturday night?”
“Yes.” I couldn’t help but smile. “Saturday would be great.”
With that, he kissed me again, a little deeper this time, like he was committing the moment to memory, and then he got on his bike and started the engine. I crossed my arms, hugging myself as I watched him back out of the driveway and disappear down the road.
The night was over, but there was more to come.
Much, much more.
21
DRIFTER
“Yo, Drift,” Goose called out. “Didn’t know you were on tonight.”
“Filling in for Skid.”
“Ah, that’s right. He’s got that thing with Bay and the kid.”
“What about you? Are you heading out or going in?”
“Oh, I’m outta here.” He motioned his head toward the parking lot. “I gotta try to make it home before Pres goes to bed, or she’s gonna have my ass tomorrow.”
“Better get at it then.”
“Yeah, you boys have a good night.” He started for his bike as he said, “Try not to let the place go to shit without me.”
“I’ll do my best.”
I went inside, and I was impressed by how busy the place was on a Tuesday night. But thankfully, it looked to be a fairly tame crowd as I made my way over to my post. Grim was already there, keeping an eye on the movement of the crowd. I stepped up beside him and began surveying the crowd.
I hadn’t been there long when he leaned in and said, “Front left corner.”
I glanced over at the corner, slow and casual, like I wasn’t looking for anything in particular, and immediately spotted a guy wearing a black hoodie that was pulled down just enough to shadow most of his face. He was sitting alone with a beer he’d barely touched, and he had his eyes on the stage, watching one of the dancers as she twirled around the pole.
At first glance, he looked like a loner out looking for a good time, but the more I looked at him, the more I realized that wasn’t the case. He had his phone in his left hand, and it was angled just enough to make it look like he was just checking something.
But he wasn’t.
The asshole was recording, and not just the stage. He was recording the doors, the bar, and the brothers at their various posts. He was doing his best not to get caught, but he wasn’t as slick as he thought.
I could feel the tension radiating off Grim as he asked, “He look familiar?”
I studied the guy a little longer, trying to catch anything that might give him away, but the lighting wasn’t great. And that damn hood kept most of his face covered. “I don’t know, man. I can’t…”
The guy adjusted in his seat, and his sleeve pulled back when he reached for his beer. That’s when I saw it. A black coyote howling at the moon tattooed on his forearm. Damn.
“Hold up.” I tried to keep my voice low as I told him, “Check the forearm.”
It only took him a second before he said, “I knew it… That fucker’s one of them.”