Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77904 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77904 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“We’ve gone over this, son.” Cotton glanced over at Prez as he said, “With me in this position, we would have access to it all—the who, the when, the where. I would be the one running the show, and while I’m running it, I would be looking out for the club’s best interest at every turn.”
“But you don’t even know what you’d be getting into. It could be dangerous... really dangerous.”
“Gun running is gun running, son. It’s all dangerous,” Cotton argued. “Me taking Bruton’s place isn’t going to change that.”
“Your father is right,” Prez interjected. “This could give us a real advantage, and in this business, that’s hard to come by.”
“And we’d have some extra help from our new friend.”
“But we don’t know anything about this guy.”
“We will soon enough.”
Savage was struggling. I could see it in his eyes, but he didn’t argue. He simply gave his father a nod and let it go. I understood his concern. There were a lot of unknowns with all this, but it wasn’t anything Cotton couldn’t handle. And even if he found himself in a tight spot, we’d be there to help out. It’s what we’d always done and always would.
We’re brothers, and we were going to need each other more now than we ever had before.
Maggie
I’d been staring at my phone for at least half an hour. I’d already composed the perfect message, and it was ready to go, but for some reason, I couldn’t make myself hit that send button. I had no idea why I was hesitant. It was just a short text telling him which day to come over for dinner.
While it seemed simple enough, the thought of being alone with him, sharing a meal and an evening together, made my palms clammy. I was beginning to think it wasn’t worth it when suddenly I mustered the courage and pressed send. I was a little stunned by my abrupt actions, but I also felt pretty proud of myself for taking a chance.
But then the waiting set in, and it wasn’t long before pride turned to doubt, and doubt turned to self-deprecation. I was silently cursing myself when my phone chimed with a message. I quickly glanced down at the screen, and my heart skipped a beat when I read:
Ronin:
Who is this?
Me:
Sorry. I forgot to say that it’s Maggie.
Ronin:
I know.
I was just messing with ya.
I was beginning to think you forgot about me.
Me:
Not a chance.
Ronin:
How’s the car?
Did you get it fixed?
Me:
Yes. Thanks to you.
Turns out you were right about the alternator.
Your guy fixed it and had it back to me the next day.
Ronin:
Good.
I’m glad it worked out.
Me:
Me, too
Are you having a good week?
Ronin:
It’s been busy, but I can’t complain.
You?
Me:
The same.
Just ready for the weekend.
Ronin:
Can’t disagree with you there.
Me:
So, is Saturday at six good with you?
Ronin:
Yeah, I should be able to work that out.
Me:
Great.
How do you feel about chicken and pasta?
Ronin:
As long as you’re there, I’m good with anything.
Me:
Okay. Great.
Saturday night. Chicken and pasta.
Ronin:
Looking forward to it.
I was smiling ear to ear when I shoved my phone back into my purse. I thought my good mood had gone unnoticed until I heard Nathan ask, “What’s up with you?”
“Hmm?” I glanced up and found him standing across from me. “Oh, it’s nothing. I was just texting a friend.”
“A friend?”
“Yeah, a friend. You know, people have those.”
“Not you.” He’d had an attitude all night, and I had no idea why. He rolled his eyes and started into the kitchen as he grumbled, “It’s always Keeley or Ryan with you... I bet you were talking to some dude. That’s why you were smiling like that. Girls always smile when they’re talking to dudes.”
“Nathan.”
“What?” He stopped and turned to face me. “It’s not a big deal. You should be talking to dudes.”
“I should?”
“I don’t see why not.” He shrugged nonchalantly. “You’re alright looking. You’ll have plenty of guys who are into you.”
“Oh, you think so?”
“Yeah. You’re a catch.”
“So, you’re okay with me dating?”
“Yeah, and to be honest, I kinda already figured you’d been going out and just not telling us.” Another shrug, and he turned and started over to the fridge. “I don’t care who you talk to or go out with. Just make sure he’s not a douchebag like Dad.”
“Nathan, don’t call your father a douchebag.”
“Well, that’s what he is.” He grabbed a soda and slammed the refrigerator door. “He called last night to let us know that he wouldn’t be able to take us to the hockey game next month because he and what’s-her-face are going to the beach for her stupid birthday.”
“I’m sorry, sweetie. I know you were looking forward to that game.”
“It’s fine. I’ll just watch it on TV or something.”
“What about this weekend?” It was only Tuesday, but I’d hoped their father had something fun planned—or anything for that matter. It helped them to have something to look forward to. “Do you guys have anything planned?”