Page 44 of Catch a King (Five Kings 1)

“Do you think she shot Billy?”

I throw the question out there and hold my breath because this could backfire on me badly.

Avery sounds shocked. “Do you really think…”

“I’m not sure, I’m guessing it’s a possibility, but then again, why would she, it doesn’t make sense?”

“It doesn’t. Do you know if anyone considered that?”

“No, but I’m guessing they did. I mean, they have thought of every possible reason and suspected everyone who was there that night.”

“Yes, you’re probably right.”

Avery pulls up outside a place that has blazing torches outside and loud music coming from inside.

“Here we go, the Ranch House, you’re in for a treat here.”

We head inside and I must admit she’s right. This place is obviously popular and I’m guessing we wouldn’t get a table if she hadn’t booked and I’m relieved when the waitress shows us to a small booth in the corner.

We order a couple of seafood platters and a bottle of wine which is a welcome change from the beer they seem to love at the Castle, and Avery sighs with contentment. “It’s good to be free.”

I must admit it does feel good to be away from that place, and I look around with interest. The people that surround us seem normal enough. Families out for the evening, decent folks having fun with none of the darkness that living as a biker brings.

Avery sighs and says wistfully, “Do you ever wish your life was different, Millie?”

“Yes, a lot.”

I take a sip of my wine and lean back as she nods. “Me too. When I was younger, I always thought I’d have a life like these people. Meet a guy, settle down, have kids and a nice home.”

“What happened?” I’m interested to find out because Avery is a pretty girl and could surely do much better than the Dragon’s Ruin.

“My parent’s headed to Alaska, they’re scientists and joined a program there. I was old enough to make my own way, so I told them I was heading off to Vegas, which sounded exciting to a young girl who lived in a small town all her life. My parents were into their work, so my grandmother raised me and when she died, I had no reason to hang around.”

“What was Vegas like?”

I see her eyes shine as she smiles with a faraway look in her eye.

“I loved it and immediately felt at home. That place is something else, and I suppose I was blinded momentarily by the lights.”

I watch her face fall as she whispers, “Turns out those lights blind you to everything because I fell in with the wrong crowd who would make the Dragons look like pussycats. Before I knew what was happening, I was working the clubs and occupying rooms by the hour.”

Our food arrives and once the waitress leaves, she sighs. “One day I met a man who had won big on the tables. He took me to the penthouse and was in the mood to party. He was a bastard though and wanted his money’s worth, and when he passed out on the bed, I saw the cash on the side and seized my chance.”

“What did you do?”

I hold my breath as she laughs softly. “I took the money and ran. Bought me a nice car and left before anyone knew I’d gone. When I saw the lights of Vegas in my rear-view mirror, I made a vow I would never let a man control me again. Everything would be on my terms, or not at all and up until now it has been, which is why I need to leave because this club is dragging me back to a place I promised myself I would never go again.”

She smiles brightly. “Don’t be letting on to Sawyer though because I’m not keen on telling Slade I’m thinking of moving on.”

“Do you think he’ll try to stop you?”

I’m curious because if Avery’s right, I doubt he would care and then her next words surprise me. “Honey, I’m counting on it.”

* * *

After a while,I use the restroom and leave Avery to order up some coffees. Despite everything, I’ve had a great night, which is even sweeter knowing what we’ve escaped back at the Castle. Just thinking of what I could be doing right now is enough to give me the shakes, and as I stare at my reflection in the mirror, I see a very different person staring out at me than the one who arrived. Like Avery, I was lost before I came here. Although happy with the Reapers, I never found my own special connection. I have watched them pair up and marry their old ladies and I’m pleased for them, but there was always something that unsettled me and I wanted what they had. Don’t get me wrong, I love my life there, but I was always hoping to meet someone like Sawyer. I tried so many times to make a connection, but I’m starting to understand you can’t force something that should happen naturally.

And it has. What happened with Sawyer was unexpected and yet made everything that went before it worthwhile. Every event in my life has led me to him and I’m not a great believer in fate, but now we’re together, I wouldn’t change a thing about how I got here. It’s what’s next that bothers me because now I’ve found love, I feel a physical pain in my heart at the thought of losing it.

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