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“I haven’t had a home base for some time now,” she said. “I seem to jump from one charter to another to keep busy. I told you that I have a small apartment close by, but it’s never felt like home. Heck, most of my stuff is in storage for someday, when I’m done doing charters.”
“You’d give it up?” Bowie asked.
“Not for a while,” she admitted, “but, someday, sure. I mean, I want a family and I can’t have one if I’m on a boat most of the year. How would that even work? Sorry kids, but Mommy has to go live on a boat this month. I’ve left pizza money for you on the counter.”
“Sounds like you’re speaking from experience,” Bowie said.
“Yeah, my dad wasn’t around a whole lot when I was a kid, but I had my mom. She passed when I was a teenager and I ended up going with my dad on some charters, but most of the time, I got the whole pizza money is on the counter speech.”
“That sucks,” Bowie said. “I lost my mother when I was a kid too. I know how that feels. My mom died from cancer.” That was one of the first personal things Bowie had shared with her about his mother. She knew not to make a big deal about it, but it still made her feel special.
“My mom died from a heart attack,” she said. “And you’re right, it does suck.”
“How did we even get on this depressing topic?” he asked.
She giggled, “No clue.”
“Let’s go in and I’ll show you around. We can chill and watch some television or head to bed if you’re tired,” he offered.
“I’m not tired, Bowie, but I’d like to head to bed,” she admitted. The wicked smile on his face told Eden that he picked up on what she wanted—namely, him naked in bed with her.
“You are a handful, aren’t you, Eden?” he asked.
She got out of his car, not bothering to look back at him. “You have no idea, Bowie,” she said back over her shoulder.
Bowie
Carter Lust had flown home to go to the meeting that he set up with Bruno Gluttony and Victor Sloth. He had to admit that Carter pulled off getting them all to meet, and Bowie wasn’t sure that was going to happen. Bruno and Victor had a lot to lose if their father’s found out that they were meeting with him and Carter. Bowie knew all too well the position that they were both in. His father had him under his thumb while he was alive, and he wasn’t sure how to handle his newfound freedom. It was something he knew would take some time to get used to.
Bowie swung by to pick Carter up and he worried that their showing up together might send the wrong message. He wanted to show a united front but didn’t want either of the guys to feel threatened. If Rock kept his word and showed up at the little restaurant that Carter had them all meeting at, they might feel ganged up on.
Carter was standing on the corner by his hotel, waiting for Bowie, as promised. He climbed into the car and shut the door. “Ready,” he said.
“Seatbelt,” Bowie reminded.
Carter rolled his eyes and clicked the belt into place. “You’re worse than an old woman,” Carter grumbled.
“My car, my rules,” Bowie shot back.
“And you’re lame as fuck,” he quickly added.
“Shut up,” Bowie said. “Have you heard from Rock?”
“You’re his brother-in-law,” Carter reminded. “Shouldn’t I be asking you if you’ve heard from him?”
“Well, I haven’t, but that should have been clear since I asked you first,” Bowie breathed.
“You’re in a pissy mood,” Carter said, “is everything all right?”
“I’m fine,” Bowie lied.
“Sure you are,” Carter said.
“Listen, I have a lot riding on this meeting, and I’m nervous. This meeting could determine if I can stick around and start a life with Eden or if I have to go into hiding and try to keep my family safe. That’s why I’m hoping that Rock can make it. He has a stake in this too since Darcy is a Wrath. If the Gluttony family wants to come after my family, they’ll come for all of us.”
“Believe me, I know. When they came for my father, they also killed my mother. The only reason why my sister and I made it out was because my mother helped get us out of town before the Gluttony family showed up for us.” Bowie was well aware of Carter’s family history with the Gluttony Syndicate. They had all believed that Carter and his sister were both dead until they resurfaced as adults. He remembered the meeting that his father was called to by the Gluttony and Sloth families when the news broke. They were shocked that the Lust family was still in play, and honestly, he was too.
“I’m sure that Rock will show up,” Carter assured. “He knows what’s at stake here and he won’t let anyone touch Darcy and his family.”
