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He turns his back on me, leaving his dead lying on the floor. My father’s men shield him as he departs the building. Then the men behind us also make their way out of the club, weapons still aimed at us.
A few moments later, the threat is gone, but the tension still lingers.
How the fuck do I fix this?
I feel Salem’s presence looming behind me, like my other brothers.
“What’s the plan?” Baja breaks the silence.
“Right now, we focus on cleaning this shit up.” Salem gestures to the corpse in the room. “We’ll talk business after.”
13
SUKIE
I made it to near closing time without a visit from Sage and Juniper. Every time I glanced across the street today, their salon was busy. Sage did mention the other day that she and Juniper were fully booked due to the local high school’s prom. Their busy schedule is the only thing protecting me from the grilling that is sure to come.
I peer down at my watch. I still have ten minutes before my usual closing time, but I decide to lock up early. Hopping down from the stool behind the register, I walk around the counter and over to the door. I engage the lock, then flip the open sign over to closed.
I wonder if I can get out of here before Sage and Juniper finish up.
I hustle back behind the register and start counting down the till. My phone beside me on the counter vibrates and lights up with a text. I groan when I see Juniper’s name on the screen.
Juniper:Don’t think you’re off the hook because you’re closing early.
Me:The last customer left over an hour ago. I thought I’d go home for an early night. I’ve been neglecting my laundry.
My lie is so lame, but maybe she will buy it.
Juniper:Nice try. You can’t lie for shit.
I sigh. Of course, Juniper would call me out. I try again.
Me:I’m tired and have a headache.
I watch the text bubble pop up for a minute before her response pops on the screen.
Juniper:If you weren’t tired the day after Harlem pissed all over you at the clubhouse last night, I’d be disappointed. That means that hunk of broody love smashed the hell out of our little Sukie last night.
My mouth falls open. That woman truly is nuts.
Me:Do you not have a filter? You can’t say stuff like that.
Juniper:Sure, I can. And I want to hear all the freaky, sneaky details. Sage is finishing up her last client now. We want to see your butt at my apartment in fifteen minutes. I have wine.
“Damn.” I set my phone down. There is no way those two will let me get away with not telling them about me and Luca. Shaking my head, I finish the task of closing the store.
Twenty minutes later, I have the day’s sales logged and the deposit ready to drop at the bank tomorrow morning. Before leaving the shop, I call my mom to tell her I won’t be home for a while. The phone rings twice before she answers.
“Hey, sweetheart.”
I smile at the sound of her voice. “Hey, Mom. I’m stopping at Juniper’s for a bit, so I’ll be later than usual getting home.”
“That’s fine. I made a lasagna for dinner, but it will keep until you get home.”
“Sounds good,” I tell her. “I won’t be out long.”
“Text me when you’re on your way home.” I hear the worry in her tone. I hate that we have to live like this.
