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There won’t be a better time to help the girl in the bar. I’ll only get one chance.
I pull my purse out and withdraw a mirrored compact, feigning detachment. “By the way, who dumped a stray kitten outside?”
“One of ours,” Jared says with a smug grin.
I flip the compact closed. “How so?”
“Her dad borrowed some funds from Estes to try and save his failing bakery. When he couldn’t keep up with payments he made a date with the barrel of a shotgun rather than face the consequences.”
“What’s the girl got to do with that?”
Jared shrugs. “The piece of shit property isn’t worth as much as the debt. We’ll make sure it gets paid, one way or another.”
I let a handful of seconds go by and pretend I’m thinking. “Give her to me. I’ll put her to work.”
Talon invites himself to the conversation. “Stripping at the Back Door? Would take her half a decade to earn that kind of cash. Better to get it all sorted out with one windfall. Had her examined this morning. Virgin. Cherry intact.”
Thoughts of gouging my cousin’s eyeballs out with a cheese knife dance through my mind. “Oh, I hadn’t heard you’ve graduated to full blown pimp.”
He cackles like a comic book villain. “No need for name calling. I have a client with deep pockets and some specialty interests.”
Exhaling, I smother the flame of temper. “It’s our uncle’s decision, isn’t it? The original debt belonged to Estes.”
Beside me, Estes flips a poker chip between his fingers while he watches us battle. Judging by the amusement on this face, I believe I’m about to be handed a win. He dislikes Talon. It seems one hothead doesn’t appreciate another.
“All right, you take her, Haven.”
I smile sweetly at my uncle. “I’ll prepay. In fact, I’ll deliver the cash before you get on your plane tomorrow.”
The promise will require another raid on my savings but that’s nothing. Estes nods and pockets his poker chip.
Across the table, my cousins sulk in silence. I’m careful not to smirk over the victory. No need to pour gasoline on the blaze.
My father gives the signal that the meeting is over. Talon practically bangs out the door in a huff. Desmond sighs and scampers after his son.
I stand and approach the man who I used to desperately crave approval from. I no longer wish for my father’s approval or even his love but a show of respect is still required.
What’s the proper sendoff when your dad is going to prison? Nothing sentimental will do.
I settle for the offer of a handshake and say, “See you soon, Dad.”
His inked paw practically swallows my hand and squeezes a little too tightly. “I’m counting on you to keep the peace, Haven.”
As if I have the slightest bit of control over my dipshit cousins. “I will. Hey, how about if I take Robert home? It’s no trouble and will save you some time.”
I don’t give a hot damn about doing him a fucking favor. I just want to get my little brother the hell out of his orbit.
But Aric Marchenko shakes his head, his gaze landing on his twelve-year-old son. I can practically see the dynasty plans swirling in his eyes. “Nah, my boy and I need some quality time together.”
Keeping my lips zipped, I console myself with the thought that he won’t be around for a while. Maybe I ought to risk a heart to heart chat with Robert’s mother, Aileen. She’s not the brightest bulb but she lives for her son.
For now, I touch my brother’s shoulder on my way to the door. “Take care, buddy. I promise we’ll make plans to visit Lita soon.”
He grins. “Later.”
A sense of failure grips me once I’m on the other side of the door. Then I spot the girl, positioned exactly as I left her, hunched and terrified on that awful chair.
The bartender is still shining the same set of glasses, thinking he’s real sly about the way he keeps watch from the corner of his eye.
