Total pages in book: 217
Estimated words: 207224 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1036(@200wpm)___ 829(@250wpm)___ 691(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 207224 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1036(@200wpm)___ 829(@250wpm)___ 691(@300wpm)
Brad curses, continuously dialing, trying to reach Nolan. “Little fucker.”
“Is everyone out of the club?” I ask.
Danny nods, going back to Mason. “Just taking precautions. I’m sending Otto over to check.” He scowls. “You’re asking too many questions, Mason. Just keep everyone out the back and tell Nolan to fucking call when he shows up.”
That kid’s getting a slap when I catch up with him, because I’m sure as shit Brad won’t give him one. I bet he’s living the dream in Brad’s swanky loft apartment while he’s laid up here recovering. In fact, I bet he’s late to the club because he’s cleaning up the mess from last night’s afterparty back at Brad’s.
“What the fuck took you so long?” Brad barks down the line when Nolan finally answers. Then he frowns. “What are you doing there?” A pause, and his frown turns into a scowl. “Fine, whatever. The club’s been evacuated. Just a precaution. Otto’s on his way over to check. I need you to come to Danny’s. I’ve got some things I need to go over with you.” He hangs up, muttering under his breath, and settles down. “He’s at my place, just getting in the shower.” he says calmly. “Heading over in a bit.”
I nod, still looking out of the window, dread gripping on unrelentingly. “Fucking with us?” Danny asks, joining me.
“I don’t know.”
Brad’s phone starts ringing, and both Danny and I turn back to face the room. It takes every effort for him to lift it to see the screen.
“Who is it?” Danny asks, seeing what I’m seeing in Brad’s expression. A bit of confusion.
“Unknown number.”
Looks start getting shot around the room again, everyone still and quiet as Brad answers with silence, his eyes darting across the sheets covering his waist. He’s exhales, relieved. Peeks up. “It’s my neighbor.”
I roll my eyes, along with everyone else in the room. “Probably complaining about the noise,” I mutter, but then Brad pales and his phone slides from his hand and hits the bed.
“What?” Danny asks urgently. “Brad, what is it?”
He swallows hard, his gaze jumping across his lap, and I step forward, every inch of me tense. “My . . .” He turns haunted eyes our way. “My apartment just blew up.”
22
BEAU
Everyone was silent as we were driven home by Tank and Fury, with no explanation as to why our shopping trip ended so abruptly. I know we’re all wondering what the hell has happened now. Of course, the moment I saw Fury’s face when he answered his cell, I put the pants I was considering back on the rack and calmly walked out of the store, calling to Zinnea and Rose as I did. They too left without fuss.
When we pull up at the mansion, I see a few cars missing. So a few men have been deployed. For what?
“Home Sweet Home,” Zinnea says sardonically as the three of us walk up the steps to the house. “Brace yourself, girls.”
“Always,” I murmur, looking across to Rose. Her lips are straight, her eyes fixed on the door. I can see it’s taking everything in her not to barge into the house and scream her frustration. “Remember what Doc said,” I say, as Zinnea rests a pacifying hand on her arm.
“I remember.” She visibly takes a few deep breathes. “I live for the day when I’ll wake up and not wonder who will try to kill my husband today.”
“Well, that’ll never happen,” Zinnea quips, trying to lighten the mood. “Because not a day can pass without a wife wanting to kill her husband for one thing or another. It’s basic marriage semantics, darling.”
Rose manages a smile and, surprisingly, it’s not forced, as I spin my ring on my finger. Esther answers the door before we can let ourselves in and gives us a look I’m sure we all hate. “Upstairs,” she says, letting us all file in. “Brad’s room.”
I’m off up the stairs like a bullet, worried, and as I jog down the corridor, I see Pearl up ahead looking a little misplaced and worried. “What’s going on?” I ask, slowing.
“I don’t know. He was brought up a while ago. In a lot of pain. Doc came by his room, and he seemed okay when I went in to thank him. Grumpy but okay. James was in there with him.”
“And now?” I ask, looking at the door, plagued by uncertainty.
“Now everyone is in there with him.”
Everyone? “Right,” I say quietly, taking the handle, scared to enter.
“Will you let me know if he’s okay?” Pearl asks, and I look back over my shoulder, seeing her hands fiddling, her eyes worried.
“Of course.” I push my way in, and the tension slaps me in the face. Everyone is standing, except Brad who’s on the bed, but I can’t see his face because Danny’s blocking him. I probably don’t want to see his face. A bedside vigil? My heart drops. Danny looks back, sees me, then looks past me. “She’s coming,” I say, hearing Rose behind me. “What’s happened?” My eyes won’t move from Brad’s legs.