“Money isn’t everything,” I bite out.
“That’s your opinion,” Billy mutters under his breath.
I want to jam my fist into his smirk and seriously think about challenging him on fight night this month.
“She’d also be working long hours at Lucky’s,” Wolf says.
Cole shakes his head. “I warned you I didn’t want any problems, Cody. Now here you are trying to replace the headliner. She makes a ton of money for the club, and right now we are stretched thin with all the businesses we’ve acquired. Until she decides she doesn’t want to work there, you shut up about it. Nobody is making you get cozy with her. You want that, you better suck it up and be an understanding boyfriend.”
“Can’t we replace her?”
Wolf huffs a laugh. “You think Ronnie can just snap his fingers and find another Ginger? No way. Sure, he can find another dancer, but another headliner that’s as big a draw as she is? Not a chance.”
Cole flicks his lighter open and closed against the table. “Cody, we need her right now. We need the income she brings into Sonny’s. With the club buying Lucky’s and Marty’s and bankrolling a cut of the tattoo shop, we’re a little stretched for cash. That all takes money. In a few months, maybe.”
I fume but stay silent, slumping my shoulder against the wood paneling, my hands jammed in my pockets.
Billy and TJ glance my way, and I can read the solidarity they feel with me. I know they think I was an idiot to get involved withHeather, but they also know how they’d feel if it were Melissa or Gigi.
Crash leans and whispers something to our president.
Cole studies me, stroking his chin. “Fine. I’ll make her the offer, but don’t hold your breath, kid.”
“Thanks. That’s all I’m asking.”
Cole slams the gavel down, adjourning the meeting, and we all file out.
Kyle slaps a hand on my shoulder. “Let me buy you a drink, Cody.”
I let him lead me to the bar and down the shot they pour me. The entire time I know I won’t find any solace at the bottom of a bottle of booze.
“Be grateful Cole threw you that bone,” my father says, slapping a hand on my shoulder. “Now it’s up to her. You need to decide if you can live with her decision if it’s not the one you’re hoping for, understand?”
“Yeah.” I don’t say more, and he walks off, leaving me with the other brothers of my generation.
“Cody, it’s all part of it,” TJ says.
Kyle pours me another. “She won’t dance forever, brother. They never last long at that job, no matter how good the money is.”
It’s supposed to make me feel better, but I know it means that job sucks the life out of them, and the thought of it doing the same to her makes me want to punch a hole in the wall.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Heather—
Leaning toward the mirror, I apply another swipe of lip gloss. Velvet is on my right, and she gives me a smirk.
“I heard the MC is trying to move you over to be a waitress at that bar they just bought. You might not be our headliner for too much longer, honey. Better rake it in while you can.”
I throw my lipstick down. “What in the hell are you talking about?”
“I’ve got to be on stage,” she says, rising and sashaying past me.
Surging to my feet, I stalk across the hall to Marnie’s office. Since covering for her the last couple of weeks, I have found a new respect for what she does. It’s harder than it looks.
I barely tap on the door before entering. “Is it true?”
“Is what true?” She looks up from her computer, her eyes sweeping over me, noting my agitation.
