Page 2 of Condemned Soul

“I hate to say it, but I think that might be your only option.” I can see how fearful the man is in telling me that I got no hope from the way he releases his top button and loosens his tie.

“Get outta here,” I dismiss him, gesturing toward the door and then shaking my head across the room to where Brian, Vex, and Jed are lined up at the bar.

I top up my glass with the bottle of Jack that's on the table and stare at my fists as they throb from all the rage I got inside me. I’ve done what Mary-Ann asked, I got her a house, and it still ain’t enough to stop her playing games. She constantly leaves Hayley at home with her mother so she can show up here at night. She walks around my bar like she’s something fuckin’ special and she talks to our whores like she fuckin’ runs ‘em. Because she’s ‘my old lady’ they listen to her too. She’s gettin’ under my skin and, worst of all, I’m lettin’ her.

The breeze from outside pulls through as the door opens up again and when I look up and see the girl who’s just stepped through it, I do a double take.

She’s pretty. Too pretty to be hanging out in a place like this, and although she’s dressed like she’s looking for a good time, if you study her a little closer, her vulnerability is unmistakable. I watch the eyes of all my brothers linger on her and her friend like they’re fresh meat as they walk toward the bar. Both of them have a little strut in their stride and are clearly underage for drinking, but I doubt Tac will worry about that when he serves ‘em.

“These are on me.” I get up and intervene once they’ve finished putting their order in, and the one I can’t stop looking at smiles at me timidly.

“Jimmer Carson, right?” Her head tilts and when her eyes connect with mine it makes my fuckin’ skin tingle.

“Right.” I nod my head to confirm.

“You probably don’t remember me, but we already met.” Her teeth press a little into her bottom lip and it seems to be the only thing I can focus on.

“I wouldn’t forget meetin’ you.” I rest my elbow on the bar.

“You rode my sister, Paula, home one night a few years ago after she got into some trouble here.” She attempts to jog my memory and I cast my mind back, suddenly recalling a much younger version of the girl I’m seeing now, standing in my headlight in a white nightdress.

“I remember now. You live at the Sanderson mansion.”

“You got it.” She smiles, taking the drink that Tac places in front of her and raising it up to me gratefully.

“Well, I hope you girls didn’t come here lookin’ for trouble tonight. I don’t tolerate that kinda behavior in my bar.” My warning earns me a snigger from my brothers.

“No trouble.” The girl steps a little closer. “Just a good time.” The cute smile on her face turns a little seductive before she sips from her glass, and it’s hard not to imagine all the good times I’d like to show her.

“How old are ya, darlin’?” I check.

“Old enough to handle myself,” she promises, but what I really want to know is if she’s old enough to handle me.

“You just behave yourself.” I point my finger at her before I, sensibly, back away and get back to drinking alone. I’ve got enough shit happening in my life without involving myself in a pretty, little problem like that one.

“Get back to work.” I shrug Haven off.

“I am at work.” She stares up at me looking wounded. “You fuckin’ hate her. Surely you wan?—”

“I said get back to work, Haven,” I repeat myself, turning my back on her and the whole situation so I can keep my mind focused.

“Party’s going well.” I get interrupted again a few minutes later when a hand slaps hard against my back. I look over my shoulder and put on a smile when I see Nyx.

“Long as our girl’s happy.” I turn all the way around on my stool so I can watch Ella dancing with Dylan in the middle of the barroom floor.

“Look, Prez, I came over to ask ya this, because I know it’s what Ella wants but she’s too afraid to ask ya herself.” I can already tell from the worried look on his face that I ain’t gonna like what this is.

“What ya askin’ Nyx?” I finish what’s in my glass and slam it on the bar, whatever it is, him and my girl should know by now that there is nothing she should be afraid to ask for.

“It’s Joanne, she’s got herself into some trouble and she needs somewhere to lay low for a while,” he informs me, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly.

“What kinda fuckin’ trouble?” I can feel a headache starting to kick in. A really fuckin’ bad one.

“Loan sharks, they came to her house a few days ago and smashed the place up. She’s been staying in a motel just outside of town but it’s only a matter of time before they?—”

“You askin’ me to let her stay here?” I stare at my son-in-law and wonder if he hit his head on the way over here.

“I know it’s what Ella wants, she just won’t put you in that position.”

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