Page 31 of Downward Dawg
“I’ll do you proud, Prez.” He straightened his shoulders.
“Nothing less is acceptable,” Tinder told him, and Mad Dawg nodded.
He’d do anything for his brothers and knew the same was true on their side.
Tinder slammed his palm against the table. “Second order of business is the betraying motherfucker who sold info to the HHMC assholes. He’s in the wind. Denver’s got a crew looking for him, but we want everyone to be aware he’s outcast. Out bad, with everything that implies.”
Mad Dawg’s hands clenched.
In the wind.
Chapter Ten
Mad Dawg, ten months later
He gripped the handles of the heavy bags transferred to him throughout the early afternoon. Ella was walking at his side, hand tightly clasped to his forearm in excitement. They were at one of her favorite events, an author book signing in Texas.
She’d surprised him with the invitation to come with her, squealing with delight when he rapidly agreed to close down his shop for the weekend.How could I not, when it made her so happy.
Since then, she’d been peculiarly secretive about the weekend. Last night had been an organized dinner she’d attended alone, giving him the excuse that she’d work him hard today, so he needed his rest. An early evening meal in the hotel bar with a variety of men present had proved entertaining, as they had all been self-proclaimed book widowers. At the event with their significant others.Just like me.
When she’d rejoined him in the room, smiling ear to ear, he’d showed her just how little rest he really needed, loving on her so sweetly she’d wept as she came. Mad Dawg had found it wasn’t uncommon for her to become overcome during lovemaking. He suspected it was because she was so in tune with her emotions, they were more easily accessed than other people. His goal every time he crawled into bed beside her was to ensure she knew she was loved. He was batting a thousand so far, because her usual response was to hover a hand over what he’d learned was the location of his heart chakra, asking him if he could feel the love.
Now, he was surrounded by hundreds of women and a few men he recognized, each of them taking turns standing in lines to pick up their preorders, or buy a book at the author’s table. Often both. Every single author appeared the essence of patience, chatting as they signed books or packaged purchases, posing graciously for photos with anyone who requested it.
“We’re nearly there.” Ella leaned against his shoulder, resting her weight on him as she lifted to her toes. Whisper shouting into his ear, she said, “This is the table I’ve been waiting for!”
The author at the next table looked up and saw her, darting around and into the aisle where they stood. “Elodie!” The recognition barely preceded the rib-cracking hug delivered by the slender woman. “I’m so glad to see you.”
“You too, Sapphy. I love this event so much. It’s always so much fun.” Ella pulled back and gave the woman a brief kiss on her cheek. “I’ve got something to show you.” Gripping Mad Dawg’s hand, she tugged him forward a step. “Look at this. This is my boyfriend, Mad Dawg.”
The woman’s mouth opened, then closed as she looked up at him, then back to Ella. “Are you for real right now?”
“Uh, hi?” He wasn’t certain what would be polite in response to her shocked demand. “Pleased to—”
“Jamie, get out here.” She shouted as she whirled to look back and he followed with his gaze. “My husband.” The banner behind her table proclaimed her Sapphire Knight, a best-selling author of a bunch of books. A man stepped out from behind the table, and this time it was Mad Dawg’s turn to do a doubletake.
Jamie Knight, wearing a leather vest similar to the one Mad Dawg wore, could be his twin.
They stood there a moment, staring, then Mad Dawg set the bags at Ella’s feet and stepped forwards, hand extended. Palms wrapped around wrists in a warrior’s greeting, and he somehow wasn’t surprised when Jamie jerked him into a one-armed hug.
“Well met, brother,” he murmured as they stepped apart.
“Backatcha,” Jamie said with a broad grin. “Holy shit. It’s like looking into a mirror. That’s crazy.”
“Uncanny,” Sapphire agreed with a laugh as she stepped close to Jamie, leaning against him as his arm wrapped around her shoulders. “Are you two long lost brothers or something? Anything I need to know about you, hubby mine?”
“Doppelgangers,” Ella said as she sidled under Mad Dawg’s arm to slip her hand into his back pocket. He automatically pulled her closer. “When you put Jamie on one of your covers I had a weird moment of déjà vu, then realized it wasn’t my man at all, it was your other half. Based on my discrete questioning of Dawg here, I don’t think they’re even related. Just doubles.”
“This is so weird.” Sapphire looked between the two men’s faces again, then laughed. “We have got to do dinner or something. How long are you in town?”
“We leave Monday afternoon. I wanted a day to recover from all the walking.” Ella laughed softly. “We don’t have any plans, so whatever you want to do should work for us.”
“Sounds perfect. Okay then.” Sapphire clapped her hands. “Back to work for me. Elodie, do you have books? I know you’ve got a preorder. It’s ready to go except for signatures.”
“I do.” Ella reached down and dug into the bag she’d brought with them.
Mad Dawg shifted his gaze from her back to Jamie, still marveling at the similarities. “You ride?” His question was met with a big smile and nod.
