Page 41 of Roses and Skulls

I look at Elijah. He looks boyish sitting there, hanging on every word Draven utters. Like he’s someone to look up to. But when his eyes meet mine, there, hidden behind every shade of brown, is no boy. He’s all man, one who came in here with intent.

Well, they can both kiss my ass because this is my game. And I intend on winning.

“No, thank you. My dad is already upset that I’m working here. I wouldn’t dare think of involving you in… well, in whatever this is.” I motion between Elijah and me.

Elijah scoots to the edge of the couch. “It’s love, Rosie. You’ve always had a soft spot for me.”

I roll my eyes and glance at Draven. He’s amused. “Whatever, Jesus, I have work to do.” I shoo Elijah with my hands. I focus my attention solely on Draven. “The distributor you used ripped you clean the fuck off. I’ve pulled the file for the one my grandpa used. It’s half what you paid your guy. Do you know anything about running a bar?” I ask.

“No. Which is why I hired you. I knew you’d get things back on track.” He glances over his shoulder at Elijah. “What are you good at, kid?”

I snort because Elijah is anything but a kid. In fact, I think Draven and Elijah are about the same age.

“I fix things,” Elijah says, running his hand through his hair.

Hmph. Fix things. All he’s done is destroy things as far as I’m concerned. Everything was going fine until he showed up and now it’s all a damn mess.

“I noticed your back door is falling off the hinges. I’ll start there, that is if you’re offering me a job?”

“He’s not,” I say, focused on the paperwork in front of me. “Go home, Elijah.”

“Now, now, your friend needs a job and I think it will be good for the two of you, to… reconnect.”

I sigh loudly. I guess this is the game now. “Fine, I guess you both really do want my dad barreling in here.”

Draven waves for Elijah to follow him. “Let’s have a chat. She’ll come around. Just give her time.”

When they close the door, I throw a book at it for good measure. Their laughter filters through from the other side.

Fucking assholes. All of them.

I sit there, tapping my forehead. Think, Billie Rose, think. What is it you want? What’s the purpose of all this?

One, I want the bar. Plain and simple, she’s mine.

Two, I want the man who murdered my grandfather to die while I watch the life slip from his eyes. I want him to know that I didn’t give him a pass.

That’s what he thinks. He thinks I hate my family so much that I let him get away with murder. And he loves that. It’s just one more way to make my mom suffer.

But now Elijah is involved. And Lanie.

What if I’m wrong? What if I should have just told my dad what had happened, the minute I opened my eyes at the hospital?

And that right there is the kicker. I know deep down that’s what I should’ve done. But then again, it would have killed mom.

Draven opens the door and pokes his head in. “Is it safe to come in?”

I cross my arms over my chest.

He slides in. “Listen, I’m just trying to help you out here. You have to admit your family is a bit controlling and I want to give you an outlet. A place where you can be yourself.” He tips his head.

I stand up, stretching. “Why is Lanie not at school in New York?”

He pauses and pinches the bridge of his nose. “You know about that?”

“Yeah, her uncle is a Skull. Didn’t you think I would find out eventually?”

Draven motions for me to sit on the couch.

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