Page 143 of I Stop Somewhere Waiting For You

“I prefer Mr. Bishop. He’s my employer. He trusts me with the security of all his clubs. It’s a sign of respect. It’s bad enough you make me call you Jonsie.” Logan shakes his head at me with disdain.

“You love it.” I smirk, scrunching my nose at him.

“I tolerate it, partially because I am fond of you, and partially because I am tired of you hitting me every time I attempt to address you properly.”

I snort, a wide smirk overtaking my face as I turn to glance out the window. Though it’s barely seven at night, it’s already dark outside. It’s October, officially autumn, and the days are only getting shorter. My birthday will be here before I know it. The big two-three.

A lot has happened in the last two months. I started my new job at the clinic, as well as my online Master’s program. The workload is a lot, but I’m loving both of them. I feel as though I’ve found my calling in life.

I officially moved into The Rebel Dutchess with Maverick. Finn and T also secured their own apartments in the building so Mav could have the Cathedral gutted and completely renovated. We may move in once it’s done, but we don’t have to decide that right now. Mav’s hired Daphne to oversee the project, and between that and the contract for the new sports bar he and my brother just gave her, she’s going to be busy. The business Mav threw her attracted other high-profile clients, and since then she’s actually had to turn projects down, she’s booking out so far in advance.

In addition to opening the bar with Mav, which is still in the very early stages, Nicky’s also begun looking into making a comeback to motocross. Numerous sponsors are excited by the prospect of his return, but I don’t think he’ll be making any decisions until he straightens things out with Daph.

After the wedding, Daphne’s parents cut her off. Her trust fund, inheritance, any access to bank accounts… it’s all gone, not that she gives a shit. Even if Daph’s interior design business wasn’t taking off, she would have never allowed her parents to hold her hostage with money. Daphne can’t be bought. She’d rather be broke than a slave.

Nicky was completely unfazed by this. He had a complete set of credit cards already in her name, along with two different cars waiting for her when he invited her to dinner one night. He also had the boys clear out the place she shared with Lucian and bring everything to his house. Had he bothered to discuss any of this with her in advance, he wouldn’t have been so caught off guard when she flipped out on him after he sprang it on her.

For as smart as my brother is, he sure is struggling with connecting with his wife. Nicky apparently thought she was just going to move right in, eager to start her journey as Mrs. Conners. Imagine his surprise when she told him where he could shove his credit cards and new car keys. After some back-and-forth negotiations, most which ended with my brother showing up at our place to drink himself stupid while consulting Mav for advice, Daphne compromised and moved into Nicky’s guest house while they figure stuff out. I understand he’s frustrated, but I can’t help feeling like karma’s hitting him hard on this one.

The car slows to a stop, pulling me from my thoughts as I take in my surroundings.

“Lounge?” I ask, looking to Logan.

“He’s finishing up something important inside. I’m supposed to bring you in to wait for him.”

Logan’s out and around to my side of the car before I’ve even removed my seat belt. The man’s worked security for celebrities, foreign diplomats, did a couple tours in Iraq from what I’m told, but for the last two years he’s led Mav’s security team for all his clubs. It’s not that he’s past his prime. The man’s drowning in job offers; he just turns them all down. That should tell you how well Mav pays him to stay. However, I think it’s more than that. I see the way they interact. It’s obvious Logan cares for Mav like a son. He was also getting his fair share of excitement, though now that the boys have gone legit, he may find it a little boring around here.

I follow him inside and into the deserted dimly-lit main area. It’s only now that it dawns on me that it’s a Thursday night and the club is closed.

“Where is everyone?”

“Someone rented out the space for a private party tonight.” Logan heads off toward the stairs, gesturing for me to follow him. “Employees should be here soon to prep.”

“They rented out the whole thing?!” My eyes go wide as I ascend the stairs alongside him. “Damn, I can’t imagine what that fee looked like.”

“I believe he’s absorbing the cost. Mr. Bishop was very excited to host the event.”

“Mav? Mav was excited about something?” I snort. “Well, that’s impressive. Whatever this is must be a big deal.”

“It is,” Logan responds, rounding the corner when we hit the first tier rather than continuing up toward the office. I follow as we walk alongside the balcony railing until Logan unexpectedly stops. I halt, catching myself just before I slam into his back. “I have to run and check on something before tonight.” He spins to face me. “The sound system’s been acting up. Stay here and give me a shout when you hear the music pop on, okay?”

“Sure thing.”

He disappears through one of the curtains leading toward the back, leaving me alone in the quiet. I lean forward against the railing, looking down at the darkened DJ booth below. The sound of a switch being thrown rings out in the space, immediately accompanied by soft backlighting illuminating the wall behind the sound booth.

“We got lights!” I yell out, unsure if that was something Logan intended to do.

“Okay!” he calls in response. “Sound?!”

“Nothing yet!” The air goes silent once again until finally I hear it, the faint melody trickling in throughout the space. “I got sound!”

Logan doesn’t respond, though the volume increases to where I’m able to make out the song.

I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) by Sleeping At Last (Spotify)

I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) by Sleeping At Last (Apple Music)

“Logan, did you hear me?! I got—” I spin with the intention of searching for him, only to jump slightly in shock when I come face to face with Maverick. “Jesus, Mav.” I chuckle. “You scared the shit out of me.”

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