Page 39 of Last Mile

way.”

I sucked down the rest of the beer before shaking my head at

her. “It’s nice of you to offer, but I’m going to decline.”

“Still having trouble with the emotional stuff?” she questioned with a smile.

“No. It’s more the fact that the meeting dealt with club business, and you, sweetheart, ain’t a member.”

“Ah, so it’s all part of the secret society stuff, huh?”

“Pretty much.”

“Fine. Keep your secrets.”

“Pity there’s not a pool table for you to hustle some answers out of me, huh?”

Samantha laughed. “Yep. Where’s a pool table when you need one?”

As I craned my neck around the bonfire, I asked, “How’s Marley?”

“Running his ass off. I don’t think he was in the tent two hours last night before his phone was blowing up with requests.”

I chuckled. “Nothing fucking blows quite as bad as the prospect period.”

“Yeah, but Marley is working himself to death, and he’s just a

hang- around.”

“I wouldn’t worry too much about that one. If he keeps working as hard as he’s done this weekend, I don’t see any reason why we can’t fast- track part of his prospect period.”

Samantha’s eyes widened. “Really?”

With a shrug, I replied, “Sure, why not? He’s obviously proving himself to be a real asset, and I’m not the only one who thinks so.”

“That’s awesome. He’ll be glad to hear it.”

“So we don’t jinx anything, why don’t we just keep it between you and me?”

Sam gave me a suspicious look. “I hope that doesn’t mean if I don’t tell him, then it’ll be easier for you to bullshit me.”

Holding up my free hand, I said, “Easy there. I’m not trying to pull one over on you. I just didn’t want Marley to hear that and start slacking or something. You know, like he had it in the bag.”

The fierce expression on Samantha’s face lightened. “Oh, I see.”

“Why do I have the feeling you wouldn’t hesitate to bring out your claws?”

Samantha laughed. “You probably have that one right. But only when I think that I—or someone I care about— am being taken advantage of.”

“I can promise you right here and right now that I’m not going to take advantage of you or Marley— and neither are any of my brothers.”

She slowly nodded, and I could tell she didn’t entirely believe me. “Okay.”

“Hey, Sam!” Kim called.

Glancing over her shoulder, Sam replied, “Yeah?”

“Quit flirting with Bishop and get your ass over here and help me!”