“Although I have to admit I don’t like the idea of Lightning being down there,” Briana says, wrinkling her nose. “But being down here carries more of a risk, and I trust him here, so I guess it doesn’t matter.”
I press my lips together and roll them a few times before I speak. “Lightning has been great down there, and nothing hashappened as far as I know with any of the guys and girls. We all stick to our jobs and then go home. At least I do.”
Heidi snorts. “Same here. Trust me when I tell you, the excitement for all of us wears off in about a week. A body is a body. Security is security. Nameless and faceless as far as I’m concerned. I mean, sure, there’s going to be some kind of sex and candy, but in my experience, it’s usually customers and dancers looking to make extra money.”
“Which is definitely not us,” I add.
“And nobody thought it was,” Lainey states. “Not when you’re my brother’s old lady. Piggy would lose his shit.”
He would.
“Now that the elephant in the room has been aired, can we talk about what we do for fun around here?”
“Fun?” Dakota asks. “Unfortunately, we change diapers and feed babies,” she says on a chuckle.
“Oh, come on, no parties? This place is a giant frat house, and you’re telling me there’s no fun to be had?”
Zadie laughs and is the next one to speak. “We do come for parties every now and then, and group texts usually get a laugh. Do you want to be added?”
“Hell yeah,” Heidi says. “I’ll be living in Raleigh, but I think we could have some girls’ nights.”
And that’s how the conversation continues. It’s nice to sit around and chat with women who I don’t work with. Get to know people who are going to be part of my new life. Because this is a new life. I’m not returning to a life from a decade ago. Nothing is the same as it once was.
And it’s nice to hang out with this group of women. They all seem welcoming and down to earth, none of them giving me a sideways glance about what I do, at least not yet. Hopefully, jealousy and insecurity don’t creep in with any of them.
I can guarantee I only have eyes for one person.
For one man.
For Piggy, as they know him.
For Axton Colter, as I’ve always known him.
PIGGY
Tonight isn’t as busy as the last shift I worked, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t busy. I’m only a couple of hours from finishing my shift when I drive by the burned-down law firm where Ivy used to have his office.
I pull into the parking lot and back into my spot so I’m facing the street and can get the fuck out fast if need be. Rolling my windows down, I let the cool night air flow through my patrol unit.
I shift my computer over and begin to type up a report from earlier tonight so I don’t have to work late. I want to get back to Milli as soon as fucking possible. The quiet and soft breeze of the early morning consumes and calms me all at the same time.
But I’m ready for a pick-me-up . My eyelids are growing heavy. I’ve had an extreme few days. I’m ready for some much-needed sleep… after a much-needed fuck with my woman.
Goddamn.
My woman.
Reaching into the bag on my passenger seat, I take out the 5-Hour Energy I bought during my lunch break at the gas station in town. I also bought a bacon sandwich, some chips, and a Coke there.
Tossing back the whole drink, I close my eyes for just a moment, then something flashes in my face. A bright light. When I open my eyes, it’s exactly what I thought. A bright-as-fuck light, a goddamn spotlight. I reach for my shotgun, unsure of what the fuck is going on.
There is a thud, then pain radiates throughout my skull, and darkness consumes my vision.
And then there is nothingness.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
MILLIE
