“I've worked for it,” he says, crossing his arms over his chest.
“I can see that. Are you really ready to fight Ryder and Damon? Because they're going to lose their shit with you for falling in love with a client.”
He doesn't answer and I leave him with his own thoughts. He needs a moment to process what I said and, most likely, figure out the things he won’t let himself feel.
I can't wait to sit back and watch all of this unfold. Just like me, she’ll find her fresh start here in these woods.
But maybe she won’t be the only one.
Don't miss a new world with Dahlia Grae and Nix Marie debuting this holiday season with Ruined Joy, a prequel to the Ruined Lies Duet coming in January & February.
Dive into the underbelly of Widows Basin with the matriarchs and see where it all began.
Billie
Thank God for sound proofing.
Laying my head back on my chair, I rub my temples. That last fireball shot was not needed last night. Owning a bar filled with the underbelly of society isn’t for the weak and sometimes you need to outdrink a grown man to prove your worth to him.
You have to walk around like you’re swinging a twelve inch dick. That’s what Stevie taught me, anyway.
I open my eyes when there’s a knock on the door.
My good for nothing nephew, Damon, walks through. This boy isn’t worth a pot to piss in, not yet anyway, but he’s family. And I have hope for him.
“Aunt Billie!”
Jumping up, the rolling chair flies into the wall behind me. My nieces should not be down in this part of the bar. The upstairs is questionable at best, the basement, well, it’s the last place you’d want a minor to be, especially two beautiful teen girls.
I strategically placed my office in the most troublesome part of the bar. I want to be close whenever I might be needed.
“I didn’t know I’d be seeing my favorite people today!” I wrap my arms around my nieces, Onyx and Ember, before pinning my stare on their brother.
He quickly looks away in shame when I narrow my eyes at him. He knows he royally fucked up bringing them here. I can let a lot slide, but not him bringing my favorite little humans here.
Just because I’m into illegal shit, doesn’t mean I want them involved. Even if their brother got involved with Stevie’s good-for-nothing son, Dixon.
Let’s get them to eighteen first andthenthey can raise hell like their Auntie Billie.
Looking down, I stare at the twins. Onyx and Ember are identical twins, and they take great pride in the fact that very few people can tell them apart.
I am not one of those people. My brother, their father, makes sure of it.
He is the lowest of low, after many calls to protective services, he figured out it was me and does all he can to keep them from me without making himself better.
Hence Damon’s need to get involved with Dixon.
“Onyx, what did you get on your math test?”
She tugs on her braid, looking at her sister for help. “Auntie Bill, I really tried!”
Not falling for that one. The girls only call me ‘auntie’ when they know they really stepped in a whopping pile of shit.
“Uh huh. And what about you, missy?” My gaze moves over to Ember. “Miss Ember, how was your presentation?”
Where Onyx can talk your ear off, Ember is the quieter twin. And she’s not a fan of public speaking.
It’s how I can tell them apart, but only when their mouths are moving, or not.
