I walked into the room, feeling another wave of déjà vu. But there was no smell of vodka; there wasn’t a club member cleaning up glass. It was well lit, and I felt like I was in a private room in the hospital. You know, if the private room had a queen-sized bed and was completely furnished for a bedroom. There were no supplies ready, as usual. At least that hadn’t changed
Prince was lying on the bed. His blond hair was short, and he had softer features than his father. Otherwise, he was the spitting image of King. His eyes were kinder though as they looked at me, and he nodded a greeting. I saw a split lip and a nasty bruise on his jaw, and I wondered what had happened. I knew the east side warehouse had been hit, but I didn’t think that the Reapers would attack again so soon—and they definitely wouldn’t go after Prince.
“Close the door,” he mumbled. I followed the directive. As if he was perfectly healthy, he sprung up off the bed and onto his feet. I must have had a look on my face because the kid just smirked. “I could have been a Hollywood actor, damn.”
“But you’re—"
“Chill, doc. I’m fine,” he waved, speaking normally. “I had to figure out a good excuse to see you.”
“No offense, but I’m really tired,” I began, my shoulders slumping. “I’ve had a long day, and I am just not in the mood to be seen by anyone else, all right? I already had to talk with your father, and I—”
“Crush’s alive,” Prince interrupted, and I stopped talking.
“What?”
“He’s in Phoenix, or at least is on his way,” he answered my unsaid question. His eyes were on mine, and I could tell that he wasn’t bullshitting me.Crush really was alive. “I let him go about an hour or so ago. I promised I’d look over you for him. Consider this a check-in, of sorts.”
“I don’t understand,” I managed. I sat on the bed, and Prince paced. I rubbed my temples, and I was trying to keep track of what all was happening. But between removing the lodged sex toy from a stripper, attempted seduction by King, and now this, I was having a hard time keeping track. “What’s Crush doing in Phoenix?”
“Listen, Brianna,” Prince said, locking his eyes on mine. “You can’t go to him. Stay on the low. King has eyes on you and me for whenever Crush comes back. If he catches you, or you go near him, one of the three of us will be dead within a week.”
“Is he okay?”
“I’m sure he’s figured it out that my father put you up to it,” Prince shrugged. “The Reapers will take care of him. But you do absolutely nothing more than work, fixing guys here, and staying home, do you understand?”
I nodded and stood to leave. I had a plan now—I was tired of running scared. There were a few stops I had to make before going home. Prince got back into the bed, continuing his hurt paw act. We exchanged a knowing glance, and I walked out the door. The Chinatown warehouse was huge in terms of space. Which would explain the towers of crates that were always piled up on the floor. I was unbothered as I walked out back into the night and got in my car.
I should have been exhausted, but my mind was running laps around this plan I concocted in Prince’s room. And I knew just how to bring it into action. I drove to one of the many twenty-four-hour pawn shops in Vegas and managed to find both of the things I needed at the first store. I put my new purchases in my purse and walked out to my car.
As I drove home, I couldn’t help but feel a little empowered. I was finally taking some control over my situation. Just like any other night, I climbed the stairs to my apartment, went inside, and locked the door. I booted up my laptop and ordered one last thing from Amazon and rush shipped it to arrive by tomorrow night.
It was time to do something because it was right, not because it was paying off a debt. I was tired of running. From my past, from King. From love. I was ready to have what every other normal thirty-two-year-old woman got to have, and I was tired of fighting for it. Now I was simply going to take it, and I wasn’t going to feel bad or apologize for it either.
And if I even see Crush again, I won’t run from the love and life we could have together, the future that seemed possible when I was with him. I was going to fight by his side. Even if he never wanted to talk to me again, which was understandable, I was going to show him that I wasn’t some spineless woman who never righted her wrongs.
I was Brianna fucking Gold, and it was time to kick ass.
Crush
It was sunrise when I got to Phoenix. The air was dry, and there wasn’t anyone around. I rode to Ash’s house, just off the beaten path. It was within a mile of the Black Reaper clubhouse. I parked my bike in the driveway, giving it a good pull of the throttle to wake Ash up. I turned off the engine and walked up the way to the door.
Ash’s house was small and quaint. It was a blueish-gray color, with a wine-red door. The windows were dressed in frilly white curtains, from what I could see. It wasn’t Ash’s style by a longshot, but I had a feeling it was Callie’s.Happy wife, happy life, Ash had told me. I smiled, and I could understand Ash’s perspective a little more. If Brianna ever wanted to decorate the house like that, I would just give her my wallet. There would be no need toaskif she could; the answer would always be yes.
But if I knew Brianna at all, she wouldn’t even ask for permission in the first place.
I walked up the concrete steps to the door and pounded with force. There was no answer. I knocked again, wondering if Ash was even home.Oh shit, I might have just scared the fuck out of Callie, and she already doesn’t like me, I thought. But there was a rustling inside, and then seconds later, Ash opened the door. I was relieved to see the man, glad I hadn’t solely disturbed Callie.
He was just in his boxers, his hair tousled. He yawned and then looked at me with a glare. Callie was behind him, shooting daggers into my skull.Understandable, I thought. There was obviously some bad blood, not that I could blame her in the slightest for that. I gave her a polite nod, but she just rolled her eyes. Ash ran a hand over his face, and he looked exhausted.
“Man, I’ve got neighbors now,” Ash said. “What the fuck are you doing here so early? Do you need me to shoot you again?”
“Again?” Callie asked, looking at her husband.
“Nah, man. King just tried that earlier today. Kinda stock full on that right now.”
“Oh shit,” Ash perked up, his eyebrows going to his hairline. “Come in, let’s talk.”
He opened the door and stepped aside. Callie stomped her foot and crossed her arms. Her silk nightgown showed a little hint of a belly, but I wasn’t going to comment on anything. Ash gave her a warning look, and she let me in. I took a step inside, and Callie turned her cold eyes on me.
