Page 114 of Magic or Madness

“What happened, Pepper?” She sits up with more of a stern look on her face, ready to pounce at anyone who fucked with her friend.

“Journey got in my face a little bit, but like I said, it was a misunderstanding. Alexander put him in his place,” Pepper explains, but Fallon isn’t buying it.

“Let it go, Bambi,” I whisper, urging her to put the claws away.

Journey hasn’t bothered us in a while, and I don’t need anyone poking the bear. It’s been relatively peaceful, almost cordial, between us and I’ve missed having him in my corner. It’s selfish maybe, but he’s a part of this family whether I’ve had problems with him or not.

We ride back to the dealership in silence, everyone sleeping or chatting amongst themselves, and this night turned out to be everything I hoped it’d be, and more.

“You okay?” I whisper, stroking Fallon’s hair, but she’s sound asleep.

This delicate, yet strong woman laying on me is the center of my universe. The only mission I had for today was to make this her best birthday ever, and I hope I did her justice. I peek down at her, the only thought in my mind is on repeat, the fact that I would die for her, in aninstant.

If I could, I’d take every ounce of pain she carries and inject it into my veins, just so she’d never feel it again.

Everything I do is for her, to bring a smile to that beautiful face. Tonight, I feel like I accomplished the goal I set, and she truly had thebest birthday ever.

The tension isthick as we sit around the whiteboard, with Lex and Journey still locked into some battle that they haven’t shared with the rest of the class. It’s been two weeks since Fallon’s birthday, and I’ve seen them having arguments in secret, hushed voices multiple times.

All I know is that it had something to do with the club, and Pepper, but I made Fallon promise to keep her nose out of it, so I’m trying to do the same.

“This job sounds dangerous. I’m not sure if it’s something we’re into anymore,” Max says, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“We need it, though,” Oliver chimes in, and I nod in agreement.

It’s been slim pickings lately, and we can’t afford to be choosy right now, especially with how much counterfeit cash we’re sitting on.

It’s time to start washing it with the real stuff, but that’s been hard to come by.

“Did you read the proposal? High risk is written all over it,” Max argues, but we all call for a vote and instantly outnumber him.

“We won’t go in blind, Max. Let’s do our due diligence, stake out the warehouse, and check out security. It may be high risk, but we’re not fucking idiots, either,” I offer, and his demeanor changes slightly.

“I’ll start combing through records and cameras,” Lex adds, pulling his laptop out to take down notes.

“Alright, I’ll get back to the client, tell him we’ll take it. Two weeks boys, let’s get started,” Max concludes, walking off to the office where we keep everything about the jobs and cash.

“Wanna take the girls out for lunch?” Oliver asks, handing me a flier for a new restaurant in town.

“I’ll check with Fallon, aren’t you two trying a new recipe tonight?”

“Yes! We’re going to knock it out of the park, so don’t eat too much.” He slaps my back, heading toward his room.

Since the club, Oliver and Cami have been latched onto Fallon and me, always trying to convince us to go out to eat or do something just the four of us.

It’s sweet, and I love the bond between Oliver and Fallon, but they’re starting to get on my nerves. Double dating is cute once and awhile, not every damn day.

The dealership is quiet with the girls at some yoga class Camila convinced them to try as a way to escape the morning meetings. Pepper has no interest in this side of Lex’s life, and Cami is still adjusting to things in the middle of nowhere North Carolina. I tell Fallon everything about the jobs, so her having a hobby outside of here is good for both of us. However, I miss her every second that she’s gone, and I’m a little bored without her.

Instead of waiting around like her puppy, I hatch an idea to take a ride a few towns over, scoping out the warehouse that has become the target of our next job.

“Olly, wanna take a ride?”

“Fuck it, you drive,” he says, grabbing his leather jacket and trailing behind me.

“Let’s go see what’s so scary about this warehouse. I refuse to go in blind, even if the client maps out where the drugs are held,” I say, and he agrees, riding shotgun through the backroads.

“It’s weird, planning a job now that Cami’s back, and we’re doing so well. I’m … nervous. I’m never nervous,” he confesses, lighting a cigarette and rolling down the window.

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