Page 43 of Filthy and Dirty with the Bikers

My first thought is about the cameras Tyler had installed to watch me.

I step past Maverick and slide back into the little shop I once loved, searching for a red blinking light from camera A and B.

Sure enough, there they are. One in the corner by the front of the shop, pointed at the register and the back room. The other on the opposite wall, covering the front of the house. There’s not a spot that’s not covered here.

I wonder why he didn’t think to turn them off, or why he reacted so carelessly. Truth be told, I think I’ll wonder a lot of things about Tyler for the rest of my life, but one thing I’ll knowfor sure is that my baby is safe. There’s no doubt in my mind now. There’s no monster to lurk, and no drama to be had.

I rub my hand over my stomach and make eyes with the young mustached police officer as he walks by. “There are two cameras in the shop. Everything you need is on them.”

The officer nods as though he’s making a mental note before turning to attend to the scene with the paramedic. “We’ll need to talk in a bit. Don’t go far.”

I nod and step outside of the shop, putting eyes on all my men before leaning against the brick wall. Maverick sits on the end of the ambulance as they do triage work. Holden keeps him company and Rhett is walking toward me with a soft look in his eyes. A look that says everything is gonna be okay.

And as sad as it is, for the first time in a really long time, I actually believe it.

Chapter Sixteen

Molly

Rosie sits across from me at the kitchen table with a notepad in hand. It’s been three days since the incident at the shop and we’re both itching from the inside out to get back to work. “Owen knows a guy who’d be interested in buying the shop from us. We’d get our investments back and then some.” She narrows her eyes. “Not by much, but it’s more than we’re gonna get anywhere else, especially with the ghost of the devil wandering the back halls.”

I tip the decaf up to my lips and swallow the warm liquid down. “What’s the guy turning it into?”

“Apparently, buying tools from a haunted hardware store is better than flowers.” There wasn’t much thought on whether or not we’d keep the shop after the shootout with Maverick and Tyler. No one wants flowers from a place tainted with that kind of drama. At least not in a small town, anyway. Maybe things like this happen all the time in the city. “I think we should do it.”

I pick at my fingernails as my mind spins, but I already know that I’m taking the deal. There’s no way around it. We need to jump while anyone is offering us money. That’s a no-brainer. We can pay off our bills and we can both go our own way. It’s for the best, though it’s still sad to see it go.

She reaches her hand out for mine. Her hand is so small and soft compared to what I’m used to lately. “The police saidthey reviewed the video. Did they call you yet? I didn’t want to mention anything until they did, but—”

“No. I mean, maybe they called, but the guys have been interrupting all things stress related lately. So… what did they say?”

Rosie drums her long fingernails against the dining room table. “No stress here. They got what they needed. Tyler trespassed and held me at gunpoint, and then shot Maverick first. So, there are no charges necessary.”

I guess the guys are doing a great job sheltering me because I didn’t even know there was an investigation. I figured Tyler would be liable for his own death the second he trespassed and started threatening people. At least that’s how things would go in my world order or on the crime shows on TV.

“Anyway,” Rosie sighs, “none of that matters anymore. You’ve got a baby to plan for and a whole new life with three hot dudes.” She pushes the notepad toward me. “Can you write me step-by-step instructions on how to make that happen, please?”

I laugh. “Yeah, not sureIeven understand how it happened. How are you and Owen?”

Her eyes roll back. “Nothing is happening between us if that’s what you’re getting at. He’s busy with work and I’m currently unemployed, so I’m being domestic to earn my keep.”

I laugh. “So, you’re sucking his dick?”

“Umm… no. Sorry, not quite ready to go fullMollyyet.” She grins and tugs the notebook back. “So, we’re good on the sale?”

I nod and smile as my phone buzzes on the table. It’s Maverick asking me to meet him in the garage. “We’re good. I’ve got those three hot dudes to keep me busy. I think I’m going to be okay.” I grin ear to ear.

“On that note… I’m gonna let you do your thing. I’ll get the paperwork for the shop and stop by with it later this week.” Shestands and leans into my chest, hugging me tight before rubbing her hand over my stomach and addressing the baby. “You’ve got a strong mama, baby. Did you figure out the sex yet?”

“Not yet. We wanted to create some distance between the thing at the shop and the baby gender reveal.”

“Makes sense.” She lifts her hand off my stomach and grabs the notebook off the table, then tosses it back down again. “Actually, I’m gonna leave this here. You need to write down every step you took to get these men to want you. Got it?”

“Should I include the crazy boyfriend thing, too?”

She shakes her head as she tucks her feet into her boots and grabs her jacket off the hook by the door. “Nah, leave that part out.”

I smile as she steps out into the snow. I’m sure our relationship will change soon. I’ll be busy with the baby and the guys, and without the shop, we won’t have a reason to be in each other’s lives every day. Still, I hope it doesn’t change too much. Outside of the guys, she’s my only friend in town, and I don’t know what I’d do without her.

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