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“I won’t ask you anything else This conversation is over” Even though I spoke the words, I remained seated He smiled at my feeble attempt to deny him

“What is peace of , then by all means, do so But, before you do, remember that I have the power to protect you, Dallas While Luke is off fighting battles to protect his club, you have flown here to seek assistance from me You know I am the only one who can help you Why won’t you let me?” I’m not sure if it was the mention of Luke’s name or the unspoken accusation that he couldn’t protect me, but I lost it

“Luke doesn’t need your help I don’t need your help I came to you because you offered to help me and I would rather bother you than hihting hard to keep his and his family’s whole Trust me, his time is much more precious than yours I don’t need you, Charlie, I used you Just like you have used somy life with people who care aboutsomeone in return for their support” For the first tienuine, hurtful expression cross his face I’m not sure what part ofto stay around long enough to find out I stood up fro my chair over in the process, and sto Maddie and Red with just a look If I didn’t see his face for another three lifetimes, it would be too soon

“What happened?” Red asked, once ere back at the bed and breakfast

“Pack your shit We are going ho

“Dallas, talk tome from the bathroom to my room The ride here had been silent, but noere alone

“Stacy didn’t do it Frankie got someone at the restaurant to do it, but luckily they fucked up, and that’s why I didn’t die He wanted ive it to him”

“How much more?”

“He wanted to share with me some valuable information and in turn he wantedto Luke, using hi, and, thank God, we don’t have to deal with hiether so we can go?” I asked, in a huff Red didn’t argue, and, within the hour, ere flying back to Hattiesburg

Chapter 10

Dallas

I was in a shitat work, and Joanna and Kylie had avoided me at all costs Lindsey had emailed me the list of investors that were interested in the new stripI sent the infor the mayor would be aware all too soon He would take the bait, and soon the investors I had would be outbid by new ones that theAhhh, sweet victory

“So like an idiot Whoever it was must be hot

“Send the that now that they were aware I was here, I couldn’t refuse theuest, while I tried to make my desk a little more presentable

“Babe” My head snapped up to find Luke standing there, wearing worn, ripped jeans, a black fitted thermal, and his thick, leather cut that had seen better days He didn’t look like the clean-cut Luke I was used to No, this was bad boy, dirty-biker, Luke And he wasHe had not shaved, his jeans were filthy, and his boots were covered in dust He looked huge and inti in the doorway of my office I was so shocked to see hiht words to say or the will tothe darkness in his eyes, I knew that I was probably safer behind

“Hey baby,” I said, as if I had soh-pitched and he kneare that he was pissed His nostrils flared at the sound of my voice as he stepped inside, and closed the door behind him