“Christ,” I muttered, the horror of it hitting me and dissipating some of my hostility towards him.
He nodded. “Since investigating them, I’ve discovered there are more women out there who’ve died at their hands.”
“So why not just kill them and be done with it?” Dad asked.
“The current VP of Black Deeds wants out of porn and drugs. He’s watched what you’ve done with Storm and wants something similar; something that doesn’t bring them so much heat. He and I have been working together to make that happen. It would have been easier just to kill them but this way I’ve gotten to watch Bullet shit himself while he’s been losing everything he’s worked towards. Easy revenge doesn’t give the same sense of satisfaction as this has.”
Blade was one cold and ruthless man, that was for sure. The fact that he’d calculated this plan in such detail put him in that category.
“So, where does that leave us and our current problem?” I asked.
“To start with, those guys from the other chapter that came to your club have been taken care of. And if any more turn up, they’ll be dealt with also. My men had been watching your club to try and stop Black Deeds from fucking with you but the night they came in, we were dealing with another issue -”
I cut him off. “So your men weren’t watching Harlow?”
“No, not in particular. They did report back about her though. Being a new staff member, I had her investigated to make sure she was clean. Incidentally, she is.”
“I know that, asshole.”
He shrugged. “Can’t trust anyone these days, Scott. Black Deeds have been trying to screw you by messing with your stock distribution for your businesses but I’ve taken care of that too. Now, as for Bullet. I was scheduled to take him out in two weeks but in light of his threats against Harlow, I’ll see if we can move that up.”
“I want in on that, Blade,” I demanded.
“We’ll coordinate with you and any of your men that want in.”
“I also want this to happen soon.” I needed this to happen quickly; there was no way I was leaving Harlow in danger while we waited around for Blade to get his plan working.
His hard glare penetrated mine. “I’ve said what will happen; you just need to sit tight and have some patience. Harlow will be kept safe.”
I scowled at him. “Yeah, she damn well will be because I’ll be making sure of it. You hurry this the fuck up or we’ll take shit into our own hands.
Chapter 24
Scott
I knocked on her door and then stepped back, waiting for her to answer. It was just after ten pm and I was at least an hour late after being held up at Indigo. The new manager was still getting his bearings; I hoped to Christ he didn’t take long working it all out because I’d had enough of being there every day.
Harlow opened the door wearing jeans and a t-shirt. I ran my eyes over her body and appreciated everything she had on offer.
“My eyes are up here,” she joked as she reached out and lifted my chin so that I was looking at her face.
I took a step forward, curled my arm around her waist, pulled her close, and growled, “I was getting there, babe. You’ve just got too damn much for a man to look at all at once.”
Her breathing picked up, and she murmured, “Take your time. I like your eyes on me.” She wrapped her arms around me and threaded her fingers through my hair before her lips found mine in a searing kiss.
Kissing Harlow was unlike kissing any other woman. She made me feel alive in a way that no one else had. Most women were in it for them; what they could get out of me. They were always looking for more from me; more that I didn’t want to give them. Harlow wasn’t looking for a damn thing. And she didn’t take my shit. I could respect a woman who respected herself enough to stand her ground. As much as it fucking pained me sometimes.
She ended the kiss and raised a querying eyebrow at what was in my hand. “What’s that?”
I gave it to her. “Picked it up for you this afternoon. Put it on.”
She smiled; her excitement obvious. “I love it!” she exclaimed as she put it on. “I’ve always wanted a leather jacket.”
“Yeah, well whenever you’re on the bike, I want you in this.”
Her smile could have lit up the whole fucking world. “You’re making me all squishy,” she said, her eyes twinkling.
“Babe, I have no idea what that means but if it’s gonna get me laid tonight, I’m fuckin’ glad that I’m making you all squishy.”
“As much as I love listening to your dirty mouth, I’d rather be enjoying it in another way so can we move this along?”
Christ. She didn’t have to ask me twice.
“Get your stuff. I need to get you naked and under me.”
I had plans for her tonight and she was going to love my dirty mouth by the end of it.
***