“Crystal clear,” says Alpha. “We’re on it.”
“Good. I’m fucking counting on you.”
I’m still nodding when the phone goes dark. Even without Eagle-eye’s orders, I’d be fucking thrilled to make Crow’s life miserable. He was a nasty fuck back then too, always throwing around his legacy status to get out of the shit jobs.
Alpha aims his empty at the trash and sends it arcing into the basket. “Damn, I was hoping to get back tonight. Want to take bets on who she shoots first?”
“I’ll volunteer if it means she kisses it better,” says Ripper with a grin. “She might be Prez’s daughter, but fuck, that would be worth it don’t you think?”
“Shut the fuck up,” growls Alpha, but he’s laughing. “I dare you to say that to Eagle-eye’s face.”
At least one of them has sense. Jesus Christ.
Ripper shrugs. “You say that, but I saw you fucking her with your eyes when she had you in her sights. She was just too fucking terrified to notice.” He points at me. “And you weren’t exactly pushing her away.”
“Shitheads!” I call out just as Alpha swings at Ripper.
Ripper laughs and jumps out of the way of a punch that could launch him across the fucking room. “I’m just being honest. You guys should try it sometime.”
“She’s Prez’s little girl,” I snarl. “Eagle-eye’s fucking daughter. We don’t fuck with family, and I don’t care how gorgeous she is, I’m not putting my neck on the line for a piece of ass.”
Ripper grins. “See, you did notice.”
“Oh fuck off. Let’s go make an opportunity.”
4
FAITH
“How comeyou’ve never told me about any of this?” Nicky grips the little table between us at the coffee shop like she’ll fly off if she lets go.
“Because I know exactly what you’re thinking. You’re picturing what you’ve seen on TV or in movies where they’re wounded souls that are dangerous and sexy, but always one woman away from redemption.”
I know better.
She waves away my very valid concerns. “And your dad’s still in one? That’s so cool!”
“See, that’s exactly my point.”
Nicky’s my best friend and only employee at Books & Crannies. The bookstore doesn’t pay well enough to do this often, but after yesterday, I’m treating us to lunch at our favorite coffee shop. After yesterday’s shock, something normal and quiet seemed like a good idea.
One of the things I love about my location is that even though the shop isn’t downtown, being right on the border between residential areas and the commercial district gives me the best of both worlds. I can walk or take the bus to most things, but without the traffic or craziness of being in the city center. I really love the life I’ve built for myself here, and having my old one intrude has thrown me off balance.
I take a sip of my latte and wince when the foam parts and it burns my tongue. Too hot still. “You wouldn’t say it was cool if you knew what it was really like. I don’t hate my Dad or anything, but our lives are so different. If that stupid video hadn’t somehow gone viral, I probably wouldn’t have heard from him until next Christmas.” I sigh. “Club life isn’t like it is on TV. People die. Bad things happen. Fights, drugs, guns, all that stuff. I grew up thinking it was normal to always have at least a couple of ‘uncles’ behind bars.”
“But you turned out so normal. You’re one of the best things that ever happened to me. Best friend and best boss, rolled up in one.” She smiles as she sips her usual, a double mocha with shots of vanilla and raspberry, topped with whipped cream and sprinkles. Just as sweet and extra as she is.
Which is exactly why I shouldn’t have told her anything—even though I left out most of the scary parts—but I had to talk to someone and I couldn’t call Mom after yesterday. She’d freak out. When Nicky’s not handling customers at the store, she’s always nose deep in a book from the romance shelves. I don’t mind. I wish I had her wide-eyed innocence about so-called ‘alpha males’. She might be a little naive, but I know I can count on her when I need to.
“Ugh, that’s obviously not good, but are theyalllike that? Finding three hunky bikers in my bedroom sounds like the start of a bookmark worthy chapter.”
“Not when they aren’t supposed to be there and you catch them rifling through your underwear drawer.” Or when the chapter ends with the main character sobbing while clinging to a gun and a childhood plushie.
Not knowing those particular details, she laughs. “Did they find anything good in there?”
“No, and let’s change the subject, okay? Have you talked to that fantasy author about coming in for a reading?”
“We’re still working out the date… Say, Faith, what did the bikers look like?”