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“Sit outside?” I grab my plate and hers in one hand and my coffee in the other.
“I’d like that.” Sukie grabs her mug off the counter and follows me outside onto the front porch. “It’s beautiful out here.” She sits, and I place her food in front of her before taking my seat. “And so quiet.”
We sit in comfortable silence for a few minutes while shoveling the most mouth-watering pancakes I’ve ever tasted into our mouths. By the time Sukie has taken four bites, I have most of mine devoured. Sukie giggles, and I look up at her while shoveling one of the last two bites into my mouth.
“Guess I should have made more. I’m used to cooking for just my mom and me.” She takes a sip of coffee. “It’s my mom’s recipe. They taste better using buttermilk, but either way, they always come out thick and fluffy.” Sukie watches me take the last bite. “I’ll be sure to double the recipe next time. I mean, if there is a next time.”
I lock eyes with her. “There will most definitely be a next time—many,” I reassure her, then reach out and pull her chair closer to me. “I meant what I said. You are mine, Sukie.”
She casts her eyes down. “There’s so much we don’t know about one another. What if…?”
“We have plenty of time.”
“What if there are some things I’m afraid to share because it could change how you feel about me?”
“You know who I am and are aware of the things I’m capable of doing, right?”
“I know enough.”
“And yet you want to be with me despite it all.” I take her face in the palms of my hands. “There is nothin’ you can say that would make me want you less,’’ I confess, feeling raw and more exposed than I have allowed myself to be in years. “Understand?”
Sukie searches my eyes for the truth. “Yeah.”
“Good.” I cover her mouth with mine.
After dropping Sukie off at her place to get ready for work, I drive to the club. Auditions usually occur on Saturdays before opening hours, and Salem likes having all hands on deck. I park my bike and stroll into the building. I spot the guys in their usual spot, front and center of the stage. All eyes are on me as I take a seat.
“Out with it.” I know the motherfuckers are itching to stick their noses in my business.
“About damn time you got your head out of your ass.” Salem smirks, then lifts his hand, signaling Alder to bring drinks.
Salem raises his bottle when the cold beers are placed before us. “She’ll make a good old lady, brother.”
The others raise their drinks as well.
“I’ll drink to that.” Baja downs half his beer. “That means more women for us unlucky-in-love bastards.”
Over by the far end of the stage, I notice Astrid talking with two blond women. They must be auditioning today. Astrid turns from them and walks in our direction.
“They’re ready when you are,” she says once she reaches us.
“Start the music,” Salem orders and Astrid gives a signal to our DJ.
“Dr. Feelgood” starts to play, and both women saunter onto the stage. Their performance is good, but my thoughts drift back to earlier, and I can’t help but wonder what the secret is that Sukie is holding so close to her chest. The music fades, as do my thoughts.
“Look, I already told you, we are closed.” Alder’s clipped tone captures everyone’s attention, and we shift in our seats, looking toward the bar.
Several suited men are strolling inside. My brothers and I are on our feet, our weapons drawn and aimed at our unwelcome visitors. The two women on stage scream from the commotion.
“Astrid, get them the fuck out of here,” Salem barks without shifting his focus from the group of men now gathered near the bar.
“You value breathin’, I suggest you get the fuck out of our club,” I warn them.
“Now, now. Is that any way to welcome your father, Luca?”
I know the voice before seeing the devil himself step between two other men. His dead eyes meet mine, and my blood runs cold.How the fuck did he find me?My father moves, and I take a few steps toward him, my weapon aimed at his face. The air thickens, and the room feels claustrophobic, like the walls are closing around me.
Time slows as everyone in the room waits to see who makes the next move.
