Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 84471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
“You think the girl’s gonna make it a problem? She’s been a pain in our asses so far, refusing to sell even though she’s the only one fucking left. I’m surprised she hasn’t moved out yet, all by herself down there. If I didn’t know you fuckers I sure as hell wouldn’t want you for neighbors.” Hellfire grins.
I chuckle in agreement, but her choice to stay does make me respect her a little, even if it would be easier to secure the club if we owned all the bordering properties. “Doubt it. She’s got spirit but she could barely look at some dog bones. Doesn’t strike me as the type that wants to take on the club.”
Which is too fucking bad. That kind of shy, little bit alternative girl next door was exactly my type before I enlisted and my life went down roads that scare off the sweet ones. If she wants to take me on, I’m game. Easy enough to imagine her not wearing a shirt under her overalls, and slipping my hands in to get a feel of the soft tits underneath.
Hellfire scratches a hand over his jaw and nods. “To be safe, I want you and your boys to keep an eye on the place. You said she was struggling with the yard. How about you offer to do the heavy lifting?”
“You want us to fucking garden?” I ask before his meaning really sinks in. “Oh, you want us to make real damn sure Tanner isn’t gonna turn up under her tomatoes.”
He taps the end of his nose and points at me. “Exactly.”
A roar of engines fills the church, fading away as the returning brothers roll into the courtyard outside. A few moments later, a door bangs in the church and voices come our way. I recognize the VPs’ voices even before Savage walks in with Ghost on his heels. They look like they need sleep, a shower and maybe some stitches, but they are both grinning huge.
Hellfire springs to his feet. “Did you secure the pick-up?”
“Fuck yeah we did,” Savage says with nod. He rubs a hand through his short hair and winces, working out a knot that might be dried blood. “You should see the other guys.”
“There weren’t supposed to be other guys,” Hellfire snarls.
“No shit,” Ghost snaps in agreement. He’s not a fan of surprises. “Don’t know who let the drop location slip, but there were some fucking vultures waiting for us.”
“Damage?” I ask. They look alright, all things considered, but that doesn’t mean everyone made it back.
Ghost shakes his head. “Nothing major. We sent them running and all the goods are getting moved into storage as we speak.”
“Good work,” Hellfire growls. “Chafik would be calling for blood if we showed up empty-handed to the handoff. I want you to round up more men for it, and I’m coming along this time. There’s a lot of money riding on this, and even if there wasn’t, we fucking defend our own. Now is there anything else? Or can I get my fucking office back?”
Savage shakes his head. “Nothing from me. I’m gonna go find my old lady. Got a little energy to work out.”
Ghost snorts, but I notice he doesn’t disagree. I’d feel the same if I had someone waiting for me after a hard run. I didn’t think about shit like this until some of the brothers started claiming their women. Sure there’s always sluts around who are willing to take the edge off, but sometimes… fuck. It would be nice.
“Anything else I can help you with?” Hellfire asks sarcastically, and I realize I’m the only one left.
“All good here.” I grin and head for my quarters. I could use a shower, and might just spend some time imagining a certain girl next door wearing dusty overalls and nothing else.
3
WILLOW
The next morning, I close my eyes, turn my head and scrunch up my nose as I click on the email I’ve been avoiding for a week. When nothing explodes, I cautiously peek, ready to snap my laptop shut if needed.
Hey Willow! Do you know when you’ll have the draft for the first half ready? I'm doing my best to give you time, but I can only push back for so long if you want to hit the spring release schedule. I know this is your first book with us, so let me know if there’s anything I can do to help, okay?
Uuuuuugh, I feel so guilty.
My agent Colleen is the nicest, most supportive person on the planet and I feel like a big fat phony. What was supposed to be my big break with a major publisher is turning into a nightmare.
I’ve been coming up with stories for as long as I can remember. Books are pretty much my whole personality, and writing was one thing I could always rely on, but now, every time I put my hands on the keyboard, it’s like someone pulled the plug on my word machine. This wasn’t a problem when I was writing my Ice Fairy books, the young adult series that I self-published on a whim and did so well I never looked back.