Ace finishes his shot and slams the glass down on the table. A smile twitches on his lip.
His hand comes up. He kisses his palm and blows it right to me with a wink.
I take a step toward him, I can’t help it, my feet just move. We’re magnets.
"Harper. Your father has asked what you're drinking three times now," Hudson hisses behind me.
My mouth drops open. My shoulders slouch.
"Whiskey, please," I say back.
I'm sorry,I mouth to Ace across the bar.
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
Ace
Song- Snap Out Of It- Arctic Monkey
I drag Jett off the table before he falls and snaps his neck. But I don't tear my eyes from Harper.
"You alright?" Colten asks beside me.
"Yeah," I grunt.
"We promised Hunter no fightin' tonight. And that corporate twat won't survive a punch from you, Ace."
I laugh. He's right. I'd drop him instantly. And I quite enjoy the thought.
"Ace," he warns.
"I know the deal. It ain't real," I tell him.
Doesn’t mean I’m not fuckin’ pissed off.
"Hmm. That look on your face ain't telling me that story, bro."
I shrug. "I ain't a huge fan of this arrangement, no. But Harper needs to stay on this case. It's a business transaction to protect us."
And I hate that right to my core. She shouldn’t have to do this shit to keep my family safe. She shouldn’t be messed up in this, with the Italian mafia breathing down her neck, demanding intel. With a sleazy boss forcing her to lie so he can steal his dying father's company.
My sweet girl deserves so much better. I need to figure out a way to kill Gianna’s family, the Greeks, and this Hudson asshole.
"You think once her deal is done, she's going to come back here permanently?" Colten asks.
I take a slow breath and pick up my beer. "I ain't lettin' her leave this time."
My eyes stay on her. She takes off her hat, places it on the table, and runs her fingers through her blonde curls. The tank top. The boots. She dressed like a cowgirl tonight, and I don't think that was for Hudson.
I slide out my phone.
ME: You're makin' me hard, pretty girl.
She pulls her phone from her purse, leaning back to read it. I can't see her face, but I see the text bubbles appear.
Goldie: I'm wet just being in the same room as you.
I nearly choke on my drink.
