Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 29299 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 117(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29299 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 117(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
Police enter the club, and my knees weaken. Oh God, are we going to be arrested? Suddenly Ronan is back and not alone. A muscular cop is with him and Lucca.
I sigh in relief, but it’s short-lived when I see he’s got a busted lip where his ring used to be and a black eye threatening. That’s not the worst of it. His hands are cuffed.
“Stop struggling, or I’ll throw you in a cell for the night, asshole,” the cop growls at Lucca, manhandling him like he’s made of nothing.
Tears fill my eyes and spill over. “Lucca.”
His eyes find mine and darken. “I’m sorry. I only wanted to tell you how good you were.”
My chest heaves and voice hitches, “Really?”
“Can we move this out the back? The manager here is pissed and wants to press charges. Luckily, he speaks the language of money like the best of us and is a friend,” Ronan growls.
Once outside the cop un-cuffs Lucca and shoves him toward me.
“Stay out of trouble, punk. And don’t be throwing your weight around when you’re half the damn size of the other guy.”
Rubbing his wrists, Lucca doesn’t say anything, and I can’t help myself, I’m so relieved he’s okay and not in trouble I launch myself at him, and he catches me barely and lets out a wisp of air from his lungs.
“I missed you,” I sob.
“I missed you too, brat.”
“Thanks for doing this, Blaine,” Ronan says to the cop.
“You’re lucky I was working tonight,” Blaine grumbles back.
“I know. I appreciate this. You’re always saving my ass. When are you going to give up the blue uniform and come work for me?” Ronan jests. “I could use you to keep fuckers like Xavi in line.”
I release my brother and give them my attention.
The cop is tall and muscular. Handsome with the air of authority that comes with the uniform.
“That asshole still giving you trouble? As much as I’d like to whoop that dude’s arrogant ass, there’s not enough action in security for me,” he replies with a breathtaking grin. “You know I like the thrill of danger.” He reminds me of Ronan with his commanding, daddy tone about him.
“I have to get going. Take care of your girl and call me when you need to.”
They shake hands, and then Ronan is by my side, pulling me into his arms. Lucca allows him to take over the comforting and I sigh. This was a shitty way for things to go, but we’re here all three of us together. That’s more than I could have hoped for.
“We should get out of here,” Ronan states, but Lucca doesn’t move.
“Your boyfriend offered to buy the bar.”
“What?” I gasp.
Ronan tightens his hold on me before saying, “It would be in your name. You’d be the owner, Sofina. You can do what you want, what you envisioned for the place, and we can bring in managers to run it for you while you’re pursuing your career.”
“Lucca? Is that what you want…to sell?”
Shrugging, he shakes his head. “I fucking hate the place, Sof. I only keep it for you, but I see now it’s been a burden for us both.”
“What will you do?”
Kicking at a stone on the ground, he barks out a laugh. It’s manic and weird. “I dunno, go back to school, maybe. Go back to Boston.”
“You’d go back to find her?”
“No, that’s way in the past, but I could finish school, and later, open my own shop.”
Emotion clogs my heart and throat, and I break down. I’ve been holding him back all these years. He was unhappy, and he was willing to live that way for me. We both deserve to be happy. “I’ll buy you out of the bar. I have my own signing money. Let me lift the burden and give something back to you.”
“Sof…”
“Please.”
Grabbing me, he hugs me to him and I know everything is going to work out for us both.
“I’m sorry,” Lucca mutters. “For being such an asshole.”
I grin at him. “I’m sorry you’re an asshole too.”
“Brat.”
Laughing, I playfully punch his stomach. “You raised me that way.”
Six months later…
“Cool place,” Blaine says, drumming his fingers on the bar top.
I run my fingers over the countertop. Beneath the epoxy layer are thousands of blue rocks with sparkly diamond-looking gems sprinkled in between. “Her idea.”
He smirks and sips his beer. “The lights?”
“All her.”
“What is it exactly that you did?” he asks. “You’re pretty proud for doing jack shit.”
I chuckle, my eyes glued to the stage that’s lit up with blue lights. “I was the moral support.”
“You’re so pussy-whipped.”
“Better than being dick slapped.”
He snorts before giving me a wicked look. “Don’t knock it until you try it.” His eyes track a guy wearing leather pants as he walks by. Dirty bastard.
“Hey, Roughers,” a sweet voice calls out. “Thanks for coming out tonight! We have an incredible lineup on the roster. Make sure you holler at Hollie for a drink and then settle in for some amazing songs.”