Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 72617 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72617 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
He gave me a pat on the shoulder, then turned and walked out of the room, leaving me alone to sort through all the various drawers and cabinets. It felt strange to try and take ownership of a place that had been Stitch’s for over twenty years. I started taking inventory of what was there, and there were things like candles and slotted spoons that gave me an uncomfortable feeling because I had no idea what he’d used them for. I considered tossing them until a vile thought crossed my mind, and I started to see their potential.
So, I left them where they were and moved on to the next cabinet. It was a lot to take in, but the longer I was there, the more comfortable I became. I wasn’t quite at home, but I knew, in time, I would be.
I spent several hours sifting through everything, and once I had a better feel for where everything was, I decided to head back to the main house. Before I did, I walked over and grabbed Mia’s teddy bear from the trash, then returned it to the cabinet where Stitch had kept it. I closed the cabinet door, then went to check in with the brothers. As expected, Bones and Big were in the workroom monitoring the Demarco security footage, and Cotton was in his office with Savage, discussing the future of the club.
The rest of the brothers were either getting in some target practice or had gone to the construction site to go over plans with Guardrail. I still had a few hours to kill, so I joined Clutch and Torch out back, and we spent some time checking over all our weaponry for the third time in the past couple of days. It was a hassle, but I didn’t want to take any chances.
Once we were confident that everything was in order, we all decided to call it a day, and I headed home. On the way, I stopped by the store and picked up everything I’d need for dinner. When I got to the house, I put everything away and started picking up the place. Thankfully, it wasn’t as bad as I thought.
I just needed to wash a few dishes and throw some clothes in the laundry, so I jumped right in and got to it. When I was done, I took a quick look around and figured it would do. The place was far from perfect, but things were slowly coming together. I’d started with the front porch. I’d gotten a couple of rocking chairs and put out a few plants—most of which hadn’t survived.
But I’d tried.
I’d put a fresh coat of paint on the house, inside and out, and I’d brought in all new furniture. It didn’t look half-bad. I certainly wasn’t embarrassed by it. If anything, I was pretty proud of how it had all turned out. I hadn’t gotten around to the barn, but I’d eventually get to it and when I did, I hoped to bring in some animals. Maybe a cow and a couple of goats. Only time would tell.
It was almost six, so I gathered the trash and headed out the back door.
Dread washed over me the second I spotted Rosa sitting in a lawn chair smoking a cigarette. I didn’t have the time nor the desire to talk to her, so I gave her a quick nod hello before quickly dropping the bag into the can. I headed back inside and started gathering what I would need to cook dinner. I’d just pulled out the steaks when there was a tap at my back door.
It had to be Rosa.
It was at that moment that I finally realized I had a problem on my hands. I jerked the door open and growled, “It’s not a good time, Rosa.”
“It’s never a good time with you anymore.” Before I could stop her, she stormed past me and into the kitchen. She looked around, soaking things in. I’d always gone to her place, fucked her, and hurried home, so it was the first time she’d actually been in the house. And it would be the last. She propped her hand on her hip with a huff, then sassed, “I told you early on that I don’t play games.”
“Yeah, and neither do I.”
“Then, what’s your deal?”
“Got no deal, Rosa.” I started seasoning the steaks as I told her, “I never made you any promises.”
“So, you’re saying I meant nothing to you.”
“Wouldn’t say you meant nothing. But I wouldn’t say you meant something either.” I turned to face her and was about to lay it out for her when there was a knock at my front door. “Goddamn it.”
“Who’s that?”
“None of your fucking business.” I motioned my hand towards the door as I growled, “Look I’m done with this cat-and-mouse bullshit. It’s time for you to go.”