AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I breathe in, close my eyes, and look at the dusky sky. “I’m just checking in on everyone.”
“Has something happened?” she asks, sounding worried.
I laugh on the inside. So fucking much. “Nothing’s happened.”
“Then why do you sound like it has?”
For fuck’s sake. “You’re getting as bad as Beau and Rose. Can you please just answer my question?” I haven’t the capacity to locate some bullshit reason for my impatience and interrogation right now. “Who’s home?”
“Just me and the kids. Otto’s popped to the club. Len’s on the gate. James has taken Beau to the boatyard, out on the jet skis, I think. Danny and Rose have gone for dinner, Zinnea’s on another date, and Ringo and Goldie are heading to the club with Tank.” She pauses for a beat, and I will her to get to the person I actually want to know about. “Anya’s at work and Pearl’s out.”
I still. “Pearl’s out? Where?”
“Shopping I think. She took Fury.”
I relax, if only a little. “Thanks.” I hang up and dial Fury. He answers in two rings.
“Boss?”
“Where are you?”
“I don’t fucking know. Some plant shop on Lincoln with Pearl.”
Every muscle in me liquifies, my back meeting a nearby wall. I exhale, feeling lightheaded. “You’ve got eyes on her?”
“Yes, I’ve got eyes on her.” He sounds insulted. I can’t blame him. Tank and Fury are indispensable. Crucial. They’re also the only reason the girls are allowed out of Danny’s and James’s sight when shit’s flying around town. And now the only reason why I’ll allow Pearl out of my sight. “Something I should know?” he asks.
I take a drag of my Marlboro, looking up to see Drake hovering nearby, looking vigilant. “Nothing you don’t know already. Just . . .” How do I say it without raising questions? I might have killed the fucker, but I don’t know who he was, who hired him, what they want, and until I do, I won’t settle. He came to the club looking for Pearl. Knew she’s been here. Where did he get that information? “Just stay close, okay? Pearl wasn’t too happy about having you tailing her.”
Fury laughs. “Beau felt the same. Look at us now.”
I allow myself to smile and hang up, pushing off the wall with my shoulder blades. I need another fucking drink.
I give Drake a nod of appreciation and get my ass back in the club. CamelPhat & Elderbrook Cola plays, and every pole in the joint has a set of long legs wrapped around it. I see Nolan across the way drying his hands. He gives me a nod, and I turn my stare onto Ella. She’s at the front of the stage, tits out, hips grinding. What the fuck was he thinking?
Anya slips a drink in front of me. “Thanks,” I say, sipping now, as opposed to downing.
“Well,” Mason muses, slamming the cash register drawer shut, looking past me. “This one sticks out like a sore thumb.”
I look over my shoulder and see a woman, maybe mid-thirties, in come-fuck-me stilettos, a sharp trouser suit, with a fancy purse and layered blond hair. “Doesn’t she just,” I say quietly, watching her approach the bar. She leans over, asking Anya something. Anya looks down the bar to me before smiling at the woman and shaking her head. Mason moves in. Talks to her for a few moments. Gives her a glass of wine.
She sits on a stool and faces the stage, and Mason comes back down my end. “She’s asking after you.”
“Name?”
“Elsa Dove.”
I frown, thinking. “Why does that ring a bell?”
“Because she owns the Pink Flamingo.” Mason’s pierced brows rise as I shoot him a surprised look.
“Isn’t the Pink Flamingo the club James stormed six months ago with a few guns and found the Leprechaun?”
“The one and only.” Mason chuckles. “He left a body behind too. Do you think she’s here for an apology?”
“I don’t know, but I’m really fucking curious.” I get up and wander down the bar, putting myself in front of Elsa Dove. She’s attractive. Oozes confidence. I hold my hand out. “Brad Black.”
“The American,” she muses, her head tilting, her eyes falling down my still damp-suited form. “Elsa Dove.” She shakes, gripping hard. “Pull a stool over, Brad.”
