Page 22 of Sling’s Awakening

“Fuck you guys! I could take every single one of you if I really tried. I just don’t want to hurt a brother,” Mountain grumbles as he crosses his arms.

Scar slaps his hands on the doorframe as he stands in the entryway, looking no better than when I saw him in the hallway. “I’m here,” he announces with a sigh.

“Jesus Christ you look like shit.” Mountain’s laugh booms throughout the room.

Scar pushes off the doorframe and takes a seat next to Val, ignoring Mountain.

“We ready?” I ask as I look around the table. They all nod. I grab the wooden gravel and slam it down on the table, making everyone wince, myself included. “Church is in session.”

All eyes are on me.

“The owner of Losti Ravn, what do we know about him?” I ask.

“Just what we looked up before we booked the reservation for Scar’s birthday. Russ Daily has owned it for the last fifteen years. Didn’t look too much deeper than that,” Mountain answers. “Why?”

“When I was talking to Blake at the bar, he knew my name.”

“Is that a cause for alarm?” Professor asks. “Most people around here either know you or have heard of you because of the club.”

I would’ve thought the same, but…

“He knew my government name.”

“What the fuck?” all the guys echo.

I lean back in my chair as I slowly scratch my chin. “Exactly. So what the fuck does he know about me or the club? I’ve never spoken to him a day in my life, so imagine my surprise when he knew my name.”

An uneasy silence fills the room as all the guys think it over. A knocking on the door breaks it.

“Yeah?” I call out.

The door opens and Lilah peeks her head in. “I’ve got your coffee.”

I nod my head, letting her know she can come in.

Lilah pushes the door the rest of the way open and enters the room. She sets the cup of coffee down in front of me with a small smile on her face.

“Thanks, babe,” I say as she slowly retreats, her eyes lingering on every single one of us.

“Did he say anything else?” Professor asks once Lilah closes the door behind her.

I lean back in my chair and reach behind me, grabbing a bottle of whiskey from the cabinet, pop the cork top off and pour a few fingers into my mug.

This shit calls for the hair of the dog.

“He said he wants to talk about an opportunity.” I snort. “I told him, did that look like the time or place to fucking talk to me about something like that? The club was packed. Anyone and their goddamn mom could have overheard. Fucking idiot.” I shake my head.

“Opportunity?” Val looks confused. “What does he have to offer other than the strip club? I’ll obviously have your back, but I personally don’t want the headache of dealing with a strip club.”

Bomber huffs. “Yeah, fuck that. More bitches means more drama. The club bunnies bring enough of that.”

“I don’t know,” Mountain pipes in with a grin. “I wouldn’t mind being Sling’s feisty neighbor’s boss.”

My eyes narrow at him. “You’re not going to be anyone’s fucking boss.”

“Don’t worry, Prez. I won’t stand in your way of letting you two play hot secretary while you have your way with her in the office.”

“I’m going to fuck you up for real this time.” I glare at him. “Mention her one more time.”