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“At least we know now that the ambush coming from Club Dynasty was LTC and not the Kings.”
It’s small comfort, but knowing your enemy is better than not knowing.
Especially when they’re trying to kill us.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Willow
Maven stares at me from the kitchen doorway with a concerned look. “What’s up with you?” she finally asks.
Usually, her interest has me telling her everything within seconds
Not today, though. “Nothing. Just tired, I guess.” That part is true. I’m exhausted but also scared and worried. Joaquin is still silent, refusing to tell me what I did to make him so mad.
“Do you need me to do something?” I ask to get her off my back.
“No. I need to know why my bestie is so sullen. Spill it,” she insists with an encouraging smile. “You look sad.”
“I’m good.” That’s all I say because if I try to speak on it, I might get emotional, and I don’t want that. Now isn’t the time or the place.
Eventually, Maven returns to the kitchen, but I can tell she’s not happy about it. I feel bad but not enough to talk about what’s happening, mostly because I don’t know what is going on right now.
One minute he’s kissing and hugging me, soothing me, and the next, Joaquin is furious and ignoring me.
I know when I have overstayed my welcome, so I decide, then and there, to spend tonight in my own bed at the place I pay rent. I send Mom a quick message to let her know when to expect me home.
Mom: Sure, honey sounds good. I can’t wait for you to meet Rob.
Me: Who is Rob?
Mom: My new boyfriend. He’s a bartender. What time?”
I shudder at the thought of meeting another one of Mom’s boyfriends. If possible, her taste in men is even shittier than mine. Still, she deserves to be happy, so I suck in a deep breath and let it out slowly before I respond.
Me: Around five, when my shift is over. Love you.
Mom: Love you too, Will. See you soon.
I’m not all that excited about showing up while Mom’s in the throes of new love, but where else can I go? Nowhere.
I slap a smile on my face and serve so many customers that, when Maven comes up front to lock the doors, there’s not one loaf of bread, not a cupcake or cookie left in the display case.
“We sold everything,” I say with a grin. “Everything.”
Maven turns with a satisfied smile. “Everything?”
I nod, excited to help my friend reach this milestone. “Everything. Good job, Maven!”
She finally breaks from her trance and squeals with delight. “Holy shit. I can’t believe it. We sold out of everything! We should celebrate. Are you going back to the clubhouse?”
“Nope, I’m going home tonight,” I say in as cheery a voice as I can manage. “I’m really tired. Let’s do something tomorrow.”
Maven hides her disappointment well, and I vow that tomorrow, I’ll make a big deal out of it to make up for my shitty attitude.
“All right,” she agrees, doing her best to hide her disappointment.
We clean up, and I wait next to Maven while she locks up before we go in different directions. I plan to go home, take a hot shower, and lock myself in my bedroom just in case this Rob fucker is a creep.
