Page 6 of Echoes of Obsession
Or I’ll fall, hit my head, and die. It sure seems like a better option than facing these four strangers who know I’ve peed myself.
I hate my life.
Not really, but still.
Chapter Two
Ghost
“Before I forget, Hayes wants a meeting tomorrow,” King says. “He thinks he is onto something about how The Cage is losing money.”
I give a curt nod, mentally scheduling a club meeting for tomorrow. The discrepancies in The Cage’s books have been eating away at me for months. Thousands disappearing without a trace. No purchases slipping through the cracks, no funny business with checks, bills, inventory, or taxes. And yet, the cash keeps slipping away.
Even in the past month, another chunk of change has gone AWOL. It’s enough to boil a man’s blood. Somebody under my roof is skimming, and they’re about to learn the hard way that it’s a mistake. But for now, I’ll keep my cards close to my chest. No need to show my hand until I’ve got all my ducks in a row.
“You’re such a good boy,” Maddy says, sitting on the floor and petting the dog. “Such a pretty boy. We should get a dog.”
“I disagree,” King grumbles. “We’ll get a fish instead.”
“You can’t cuddle with a fish, you big grump,” Maddy says. “I bet you would love a dog.”
King simply grunts, and I know for a fact that if Maddy wants a dog, King will get her a damn dog.
My mind turns to the woman of the night. Snow. Amara. She’s fucking beautiful. Between her almost white hair, pale skin, and bright green eyes, she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.
And her body is perfection. She’s a bigger girl, like Maddy. There’s nothing small about her, and I find that sexy as hell. I couldn’t take my eyes off her from the second she walked into my club. Which is how I knew something was wrong so quickly. I watched as she nursed her soda, and, as she put it, people watched.
When her golden dog jumped on her, and her eyes narrowed with what could only be described as acceptance, I waltzed over.
Her words started to slur, so I took it upon myself to pick her up and carry her to my office. I’ve spent years toning my body and building muscles when I fought in underground cage matches. Even after I stopped fighting and decided to open a cage myself, I never stopped training.
Lifting Snow into my arms, her heavy weight settling against my chest stirred something inside of me. Something I had long since stopped hoping for.
“I’m ready,” she says, coming out of the staff room. I purposefully placed that room across from my office so that my team is better protected. We can get some pretty shady customers between the club and the Cage. “I’ll have these washed and brought back.”
“Take your time,” Maddy says from the floor. “Can I see your phone? I’ll program my number, and maybe we can meet up for a coffee one day.”
“Sure,” she smiles, handing over her phone.
This woman is too trusting. Not that Maddy would ever do anything to hurt anyone, but one day, Snow is going to trust the wrong person.
My phone buzzes with a text from an unknown number.
You’re welcome.
Maddy winks at me before handing Snow back her phone.
“I also added Ghost’s contact information,” she tells her. “You know, in case you wanted to come back to The Cage and needed a ride.”
“Oh,” she whispers. “Uhm, thank you.”
“Did you stop to think that maybe she didn’t want to give her number out to a man she doesn’t know, Madeline?” King asks, raising a brow.
“Not really,” Maddy smiles, climbing to her feet. “I have a strong feeling that she’s going to need that number one day. Call it woman’s intuition.”
“It’s fine. Really,” Snow says as she places her dog’s harness on. “I was going to give him my number anyway so he can call and tell me how much he was charged to get his couch cleaned.”
I have no intention of making her pay for a damn thing.