“Gotta hedge the numbers, man.”
Normally, I’d be all for it.Means guaranteed cash for me one way or another.It’s why Bobby does it.Trouble is, he doesn’t have the same odds I do.A bet like this cuts into his funds either way.Straightening the sleeves of my leather jacket, I murmur, “You sure this is the way you want to play it?”I pause.“Only looking out for ya.”
“Fine,” he mutters.“I’ll go two hundred on them winning by ten or more, no hedging.”
He lifts his hand, a few bills tucked into his palm.Meeting him halfway, I give him a quick handshake, then step onto the elevator.“Good luck!”I call as it closes behind me.Tucking the bills into my jacket pocket, I type the bet information into my spreadsheet, then hit the button to the lobby.
Another day, another dollar.Bets have been steady for the past two weeks, even though we’ve been lying low on the Harden events.Roman suggested we throw another one after seeing the success of the car race, but Jagger mentioned burning out our core audience might not be the way to go.Normally, I’d pitch a fit, arguing for more Harden events as a distraction to keep me sane, but June’s been doing a decent job at exactly that.Keeping me sane.We’ve spent every night together since the race, no matter how much I hate June’s bed.
I reach for the door handle to The Pelican, annoyed that Roman’s text is keeping me from her after the day I’ve had.In the back of the bar, my brothers and Roman sit in a booth.Their arms are spread and a half-dozen empty glasses rest in front of them.
As I slip in beside Jagger, I say, “Seems you started without me.”
“Had no choice,” Jagger returns.“You’re an hour late.”
“A few customers wanted to meet.”
Jagger’s chin dips in acknowledgment.He takes a drink from his beer, nudging over a second tall glass of amber liquid in my direction.
Lifting it, I say, “Cheers,” and give it a taste.My expression tightens.
“It wouldn’t be warm if you were on time,” Hawke jokes.
Jagger gives him a sharp look before turning to Roman.“All right, we’re ready.Tell us what you wanted to talk about.”
“Spoke with Rafe,” Roman announces.
“What’d he say?”Jagger demands.
“Says we’re looking in the wrong direction.”
With a frown, I set my lukewarm beer on the table and lean forward.Wrong direction?What other direction is there?Sure, we have enemies, but none willing to burn down our house.There are only two people crazy enough to start something like that.Ethan and Gus.“And what direction does he suggest?”
His jaw clicks as Roman lets his focus drift to each of us.Shit.Whatever he found out, it must be bigger than he expected.“All right, I’m just gonna say it,” Roman decides.“Ethan wasn’t behind the fire.”
“Bullshit,” Hawke growls.
Roman glares back at him.“Are you questioning my brother’s contacts?”
Hawke shakes his head and looks at the lacquered table in front of us.Disgusted.Annoyed.On edge.Just like the rest of us.I don’t blame him.Unlike me, the rest of the guys have been spending their time at Uncle Judge’s.We’ve paid a contractor a pretty premium to expedite construction, but I think the real doozy has been waiting for answers.Are we safe?Is Cobie safe?Violet?June?Something burrows between two of my ribs at the thought, and I thread my fingers on the table.
So, Roman asking if we’re questioning Rafe’s contacts?The answer is yeah.Yeah, we are.
“No offense to Rafe, but who else would’ve done something like this?”I push.Jagger sighs, ignoring me.“What’d your brother say, Rome?”
“Said we should look closer to home.”His eyes fall on me.“Says a golden boy fireman might’ve been involved.”
A golden boy fire—wait.The words hit like a stack of bricks.Bryan?Fireman fucking Bryan?That’s who Rafe’s contacts say are behind this?What would Bryan have to do with this?Whywould he have anything to do with this?It doesn’t make any sense.
“June said he was okay with the breakup,” I point out.
“Was that before or after you two started hooking up?”Hawke interjects.
I cut my glare to him.“Does it matter?”
Jagger nods.“Yeah.Yeah, I’d say it matters.”
Roman lifts his hand, quieting everyone.“I think we’re still looking at this wrong.”
