I’m making my way over to the jacket section when I hear her say, “Can I put all of that in a room for you?” Her eyes are sharp and alert and I smile my sweet smile.
“Yes.” I dump my pile into her outstretched arms and watch as she turns and walks over to a tall, amber-colored curtain. I guess that’s the changing room? Whatever. I don’t have time to ponder. I reach over and take a couple rings sitting on the counter. It’s actually a cool-looking display with different-colored sand. The rings are placed in the sand or on a black lava rock.
“Thanks.” I wander over to the curtain noticing how the wood floor has flowers painted on it.
“If you need anything else let me know. Maybe a belt to go with the dresses?”
She needs to dye her hair. Now that I’m up close to her, it’s dark brown with an inch of gray roots. I almost tell her that she should go see Dolly or Doug, but then that would be horribly rude. Also, I’m pressing it on time here. If there’s a line at the bagel place, I probably have a few more minutes. If not, Dewey is going to panic if I’m not at Dolly’s. Shutting the curtains with a swift whoosh, I get to business, grab my phone, and go to settings and ringtones, pick the opening tone and let it ring. And it’s on… “Hello… Wait, what? I can’t hear you. Great. I’m shopping. What about Dad? Oh shit, okay calm down. I’ll be there soon.” The whole time I’m having this fake conversation I’m wishing I had more time to try this stuff on. Some of it is super cute, but I don’t, so I stuff black overalls that are ridiculously priced at $399 and a cut white T-shirt to go with them in my bag. Now here’s the deal. I can’t see any device on them, which leads me to believe she is relying on the mirrors and camera. Or they are sewn in and she deactivates them at the check-out. Whatever. I’m not sticking around long enough to figure it out. Actually, judging from her hair, Dolly’s salon is the perfect place to hide. I smile as I slip the rings on my fingers, the clothes safely in my bag, and step out looking every inch the distraught girl that I am.
“Oh my God, here.” I dump the pile of clothes on her glass counter. Looking her in the eye I say, “My sister said my dad fell. I’ll be back. I love your stuff,” I say, waving my hand with her rings on my fingers. She nods. “Of course. I hope all is well, dear.”
This is it… my blood is pumping. I’m so charged that I sense every little sound and smell. It’s alive and tingly and I don’t want this feeling to end. Reaching for the door, I step out and the alarm goes off. I turn and look at the woman, rolling my eyes like it’s her fault.
“Listen, sorry, but I have to go. Jesus, I didn’t even buy anything. Is that thing going off on me?” I’m completely playing dumb.
My eyes start to fill with tears. “What? God can this day get any worse?” I lift up my hands and start walking. She doesn’t follow and I make myself not run. The adrenaline is flowing through my bloodstream like hot lava runs down a volcano. Breathe, Eve. I stop and wait for a large black SUV to turn but it doesn’t. Instead it pulls up in front of me.
“Christ!” I almost pound on the hood. The doors open and out steps some Hispanic guy.
“Eve Smith?” I look at the man. He’s in a dark suit and all of a sudden, my stomach lurches. The blood flows to my face and I close my eyes. Holy shit, I’ve been set up.BLADE/JASON“You okay, man?” I’m staring out the window. The morning gloom has burned off to a sunny day. The driveway is littered with Harleys, the chrome catching the sun perfectly to make me blink and turn away. I’m on edge. I don’t know if it’s the fight last night or Eve saying she loves me. The baby? I turn to stare at Axel. His blue eyes reflect concern. Besides one being black and purple he doesn’t look bad.
“I’m fucked, I think.” My eyes take in our conference room. It has the usual shit going on. Drinking, drugs, and arguing and I’m not in the mood for it today. “Everyone out but my officers,” I bark.
The room goes quiet and I don’t turn to watch them murmur and leave.
“Take it easy, Blade.” Axel looks at me then down at his phone, which is vibrating. “Shit,” he hisses, looks at me, then turns and answers. Time and noise stop. It’s the same thing that happened right before my dad and brother died. Everything stops, and I know the shit in my life is going to come crashing down on me. I blink as I watch Axel talk animatedly into the phone, then look over to Ryder. My enforcer, the rock of my club, looks as though he might burst into tears.