Page 116 of Give Me Love

“Bryce Grant?” he asks, his voice sounding like someone has ripped his throat out and replaced it incorrectly. It’s raspy and deep.

I nod, looking down at his outreached hand before taking it.

“Name’s Danny O’Brien. These here are my brothers, Johnny and Carson.”

“Pleasure,” I reply. “But I thought you only had one brother?”

He lifts his brow. “You’ve done your research.”

“I like to get to know the people who come through here.”

He tilts his head with a nod. “I can understand that. And you’re right. I have one blood brother, Leo. He’s the mayor of Eaglewood. But I’ve got history with these boys.”

I lift my chin. “He couldn’t join you three?” I ask.

“He’s a busy man.”

I smile, knowing he probably covers up a lot of this boy and his gang’s dirty shit.

Smart man to have someone high up protecting him.

Not sure about Leo, though.

I look at the other two and nod. They do the same.

“Shall we play a little?” Danny asks.

“Why not?” I reply, lifting my finger for Ruby. She walks over.

“Yes, sir?”

“Bourbon, please.” I look at the other three in question.

“I’ll take Cognac,” Danny says. I lift a brow at his request.

“If you’re going to drink, drink the best,” he replies at my expression. “What’ll you have, boys?” He turns to Carson and Johnny. They shoot off their order, and I take a seat at the table.

Danny slides in beside me as I pull out my wallet and put down a few bills for chips.

“You know what I like about roulette?” he says to me.

“What’s that?” I ask, leaning over to drag my chips toward me.

“It’s completely about luck. No one can control where that ball lands.”

“True,” I say. I lean back in my chair as Ruby hands me my drink. “And would you say you’re a lucky man?” I ask, tasting my bourbon.

He smiles over at me. “I guess we’ll see, won’t we?”

Chapter Twenty-Four

Kathrine

Cool wind replaces warmth, and colorful leaves cover the once bright vivid grass in the park across from the shop. I sit out on the bench like I sometimes do after closing up.

I slide my hands into the pockets of my light jacket, pondering how the last month has gone and how different the road looks ahead of me.

Bryce got the contract written up, and it’s official. I will own Mugs & Books. After all these years, the place I’ve called my second home will be mine.

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