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My thumb grazes a scar on the back of my hand, reminding me of exactly who I am. What I’m worth.
Grim slides onto the barstool beside me, and his old lady, Liliana, pulls out of his grasp. Her long red braid hangs halfway down her back, swishing as she glances around the room.
“I’m going to go check on the girls,” she says to him.
Grim gives her a long kiss before she disappears through the crowd. He waves down two prospects to keep their eyes on her for him, even though she stays within his line of sight.
“I remember when you were single.” I chuckle, taking a sip of my beer.
“I could say the same for you.” He narrows his eyes. “Where’s your company, Venom? At least three girls in this room are eye fucking you as we speak, but you’re sitting here alone.”
“Not feeling it.”
“Yeah, I remember when I wasn’t feeling it either. Look how that turned out.” He glances at Liliana, who laughs as she talks to another girl wearing a property patch. “Who’s the chick who’s got you twisted?”
“She’s just a friend.” I take another sip, but it does nothing to cool this fire in my chest. “She’s not into all this.”
Grim hums. “I’ve met the old ladies back in Vegas. And you’ve met my girl here. Would you have honestly thought any of them were interested in this world without us?”
Leaning back, I think of the old ladies back home. They’re some of the sweetest women I’ve ever met. Even Havoc’s old lady, Aimee, who is a fucking badass who can hold her own, has the biggest heart. All of them are too good for this shit, but they stick around for their men.
Grim chuckles like he’s reading my thoughts. “You like this girl enough to keep your dick in your pants when you’re on the road. That’s saying something.”
“She drives me out of my mind,” I admit. “But I can’t get her out of my head.”
“That’s how it works.” Grim taps his beer against mine, lifting off his barstool. “You heading back to Texas tomorrow?”
I nod. “First thing.”
“Well, thanks for coming out and helping with our situation.”
“It was owed.”
“Regardless, if you need anything at Ironside Ridge, let us know. Having that place up and running will really help us out. We’re here if you need backup.”
“Appreciate the offer. But I’ve got it handled for now.”
“We’re here if you change your mind about that or”—he glances at a couple of girls watching me—“anything else.”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “I’m good in that department too.”
“Damn, she must be special.” Grim slaps me on the shoulder.
“She is.”
23
HARLOE
Ransack is somehow better and worse than I expected. Inside, everything is saturated in the stench of smoke. The front of the building is charred, and ash covers the floor and furniture.
Water damage from the firefighters putting out the fire is almost worse than the damage from the fire itself, but at least Liam had a restoration crew take care of any standing water as soon as they could safely enter the building. Dehumidifiers hum around the room.
The bar is a disaster, but I try to remind myself that at least it’s still standing. There was no catastrophic damage to the building’s bones, which, considering the alternative, is a win.
I stop at one of the tables and brush away a layer of ash with my gloved finger.
Messy, I can work with.
