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He pulls me in for another earth-shattering kiss. “No dream. This is us.”
This is the moment I’ll remember for the rest of my life. If I could, I’d keep us just as we are, in this room, and forget the rest of the world exists. This is joy. This is happiness.
Unfortunately, a loud rap on the door tells us that we’re not alone, and eventually, we’re going to need to get out of bed and face the day.
FOURTEEN
Best Part of the Day
ROSE
It’s surprising to see Ava and Vi downstairs in the kitchen making breakfast. Vi is flipping pancakes while Ava’s tending to the bacon and eggs. Both seem engrossed in their tasks and don’t notice Thunder or me come in.
“Hey,” I greet them, and they both turn to me.
“Hello, sunshine,” Vi exclaims. “Give us a hand, will you?”
“Put me to work,” I say.
With a giggle, Ava hands me a loaf of bread. “Toast with butter. And don’t skimp on the butter.” She rolls her eyes. “The men like their butter.”
I’m getting to work on the toast when Hanna and Abigail walk in. They immediately take out plates and cutlery, carrying it to the other room, where Hanna tells us the boys are setting up tables for us all to sit.
It’s not until more of the Lady Pride arrive that I start to wonder if something’s up. Everyone is bustling around, doing their part, and everybody seems happy enough, but a large gathering midweek seems a little strange.
Once we’re all sitting around the table and I’m next to Thunder, I know something’s up. Orion looks at his phone and leaves the table, only to come back for Guard. Guard quietly follows, and both are gone for quite some time. I turn to Thunder and see that Guard’s actions haven’t gone unnoticed. His gaze follows the other guys, but everyone remains silent, their exchanged glances speaking for them.
“What’s going on?” I whisper to Thunder.
“Not sure yet. We’ll find out soon enough.”
“I need to get to the shop. Can you drive me in?” I ask. Thunder took me in yesterday, and I never considered driving my car over last night.
“We’ve got time. You don’t open for another hour,” he says.
“I like to be there early.”
“We’ll get you there.”
Guard calls out for Thunder and adds, “Bring Rose with you.” I scan the table as I get up. I can see the worried expressions, although Ava does give my hand a squeeze and a tight smile.
With Orion and Guard sitting on the sofa in his office, we join them in the chairs across from them. “I’m not sure how much Thunder’s told you,” Guard starts.
“Nothing,” Thunder says. “I wanted to wait until we had more information.”
“We have positive identification that the woman is the same girl reported missing five years ago, Cora Davis. She also worked for John Harvey. The same pimp your sister was hooked up with,” Orion says.
“Harvey seems to be the link,” Guard says. “He’s dead, but someone has taken over his business, and they’re collecting on old debts. Demon is already on it. So is Dante from the Viale clan. The body dump was a message, Rose. These guys aren’t fucking around.”
“But I don’t even know them. After my sister left, she had nothing to do with us.” My voice trembles. My nerves are shattered.
“We got that.” Guard’s tone softens. “But these people are ruthless. We’re hoping we can find out who’s calling the shots and have a sit-down with them. It may take a few days or a few weeks, but we’re aiming for sooner rather than later. In the meantime, we’re all staying at the compound. It’s the most secure place, and it’ll be easier for us to keep watch on one place than several.”
It finally dawns on me. “That’s why everyone’s here!”
“Yeah, babe. I wanted to tell you this morning,” Thunder says, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “That means you’re either at work or at the club. We’ll go by your place, and we’ll pack more of your stuff.”
“But if I stay here, you’re all in danger,” I say, horrified. Oh my God, what have I brought to their doorstep? “Maybe, I’d better—”
