Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 126580 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 633(@200wpm)___ 506(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126580 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 633(@200wpm)___ 506(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
Sloane’s eyebrows instantly pulled tight together, and she took a step back. “Why are you the one asking?”
Ashton repeated, “Name?”
She took another step back, her mouth firming.
I looked at the file and read aloud. “Dr. Sandquist. Nea.”
Ashton had his phone out and nodded. “Got it.” He turned and headed out.
Sloane was watching him go, worry lines showing around her mouth, adding to the bags already under her eyes. “She’s a good doctor, a good person.” Her eyes met mine again. They were somber, very somber. “Do not hurt her, whatever you just sent Ashton to do to her.”
“We won’t.”
“I mean it, Trace.” Her words were clipped, and she pivoted to face me directly. “I’ve taken care of every member of your family for thirty years. I respect you, enough to know what it means to be able to call you by that name, but do not cross me on this one. Not with this doctor. She’s too good to be collateral.”
I stared at her long and hard. The message was received, but my family was my family. That meant we’d do what we needed to do, and since I’d sent Ashton, I couldn’t totally dictate how he’d handle her. He’d do what he always did. He’d wade in, suss out the situation, and proceed from there, with whatever avenue he felt would get the best results.
“No need to worry, Sloane. We’d never do anything that would come back on you,” I said with a small smile and a cool tone.
Her face clouded over. “I’m not hearing reassurances here.”
I looked back to my father. “Nor will you because you should know better than to threaten me or my family.” I heard her soft intake of breath, and I ignored it. “Tell me what my father needs to heal from this so that I can make sure to get him out of Dr. Nea Sandquist’s care before she does something stupid, like call the police.”
Within three hours, my father was being discharged before the good Dr. Sandquist started her next shift. And after all that, I headed to my uncle because he said it was time for the second favor he needed from me.
This time, I brought Ashton, because while my uncle sometimes got visits from only me, he knew that Ashton and I were barely two separate people.
Both families were aware. Neither liked it.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
JESS
Katya was filled to the brim, but that was normal. Friday night was always insane. They’d booked a DJ, so the crowd was especially hyped up. Neon lights flashing everywhere. Shot glasses glowing in the dark, being carried around the place.
They had ultraprivate boxes where people didn’t know they existed unless they were in the club with the lights on, or they were in one of the boxes. Then they had entire private floors, and the high rollers went there. They got their own bartenders, their own dance girls, their own shot girls. Then there were the VIPs, and I had no clue what they got because I’d never been allowed up there. I liked Katya, for the most part. I knew there were parts of it that were shady, but so far I hadn’t had anything happen smack in front of my face. The biggest issue was if a parolee came in, not knowing I had a second job here, and I had to notify their PO, just in case. I enjoyed it as much as they did.
“Your girl is doing good.” One of the new bartenders came over—Justin.
I looked where he was looking and saw Kelly circling a booth with her tray. I’d been watching her, too, and he was right. She knew how to smile to engage the customer but step back and evade when necessary. I was guessing Anthony had put an extra couple security guys around the floor she was working because there’d been two customers who’d ignored her rebuff and tried to grab her. The guys had moved in right away, and I mean, they were there even before Kelly could blink. They were fast tonight, not taking any bullshit.
“She’s done this work before, but I’m protective.”
He nodded.
He’d started working here a couple weekends ago. Anthony had asked me to train him one of the nights, but it wasn’t necessary. He’d been a natural, so I wasn’t surprised he’d been moved to Friday nights already. Trim but built with defined shoulders, chest, and arms. He had a quick grin and golden-brown curls on top that I’d witnessed more than a few girls sighing over, and he was nice. Plus funny. He was already a favorite over some of the other guys behind the counter. Customers knew where to go, who were the asses and who weren’t. Justin was popular.
“I’m surprised you had time to come over here.” I nodded at the customers waiting for him to get their drinks.