Prologue
The fucking Haywards.
They just had to jump in with their British egos and fuck everything up. I was finally getting somewhere with Effie. We were on her run, and while I knew it wasn’t the time to take revenge for her killing Ford, it was a step closer. As if she honestly believed that I’d be willing to work for her when she took out a brother. Her audacity nearly matched mine. And then the Haywards bolt in and whisk her away, taking our revenge with them.
Smashing my fist into the wall, Angel grunts from somewhere behind me. Spinning on my heel to face him, I snap, “What? You’re not just as pissed as I am?”
“Sure as shit I am, but I ain’t gonna be breaking bones over it.” He sighs. “Luc, you know the Haywards will make her pay.”
“I don’t believe that. She was only an obstacle in their way to getting what they wanted. It was different for us, you fuckin’ know that.”
Maxwell clears his throat. “Regardless of who and how she’s taken out, she’s gone. We can finally move on.”
He’s not wrong but it isn’t right. Not in my eyes, anyway.
I pull out a chair at Maxwell’s table and fall down on my ass. Leo and I had a plan, Effie was ours. In our own time, in a way we chose, we were going to deal with her. Satisfaction was going to be sweet as fuck. Now we’re left with bitterness that’s never going to fade.
“I take it we’re not getting paid for that shit show run?” King asks, joining us.
I can only glare at him. What a stupid fucking question.
“Who’s left to hand us the cash?”
He shrugs and drains his beer. “I was only asking what we were all thinking.”
“For tonight, stop fuckin’ thinking.”
Running my hands through my hair, I can’t let it go. We were so close. River’s cries fill the bar as Tor brings him down and I’m glad for the instant distraction.
I’m on my feet and walking over to her and I take my son.
“Hey, hey, hey. What’s all this noise?” I ask him, taking in his angry reddened cheeks.
“He’s hungry. I need to warm him a bottle.”
She disappears into the kitchen, and I pace the bar, gently swaying him in my arms. It doesn’t help and his cries hit the roof.
Princess rubs against my leg. We’ve noticed when River cries, Princess doesn’t settle until River does.
“Go lie down.”
The dog trots over to his bed at the end of the bar. I don’t need to be tripping over him while I’m carrying my son.
It’s not long until Tor returns with a warm bottle. Before she can take him back to feed him, I grip onto her chin, forcing her to look at me.
“You’re tired,” I state.
She laughs. “I’m constantly tired, babe. Give him to me and I’ll get him fed.”
I release her chin and take the bottle from her, slipping it into my son’s mouth. Blissful silence descends over us.
“Go get some sleep. I’ve got him covered.”
She doesn’t argue and kisses me before running up the stairs and out of sight.
I doubt I’ll get much sleep tonight. Not with this Effie bullshit running through my head. All the regrets and what ifs plaguing me.
I take my seat again and watch as River hungrily consumes his milk.
