Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 144908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
“Do you think Amanda is going to hurt me? She’s been my friend for years.”
“No, but I think it’s possible Thompson has gotten to her and scared the crap out of her. She isn’t going to trust us. She’ll be too scared. Is she a good actress?”
Ambrie nodded. “Very good. She took years of theater.”
“Can you tell if something isn’t right with her?”
“I might be able to.” Ambrie moved closer under his shoulder.
Master felt like an ass for saying anything to her when she’d been looking forward to seeing her friends, but he considered it likely that Thompson had found a way to get to Amanda. She worked from home, using her computer. If Code said he could easily get a message to her, there was no doubt that Walker Thompson could.
As they approached the back room, where their table was set up, Amanda Gibbs leapt up, nearly knocking her chair over, and rushed toward them. Her group rose as well and followed her, surrounding them, making Master uncomfortable.
“Oh my God, Ambrie, I was so worried when I heard about your parents, and then I couldn’t get through to you on your cell.” Amanda threw her arms around Ambrielle, nearly knocking her off her feet.
Master kept her from falling by standing solidly behind her, providing a wall for her to rock back against. Amanda’s eyes flicked up to him and then went wide with shock. Her arms slowly loosened and then dropped to her sides.
“Ambrie? Who’s this?”
Master steeled himself for the inevitable hesitation and signs of embarrassment. There were none. Ambrielle half turned, laying her palm possessively on his forearm. “My husband, Kir Vasiliev. He belongs to the local club, Torpedo Ink, so everyone calls him Master.”
Amanda’s eyebrows shot up. “Master? Husband? Wait. What? You’re going way too fast for me, Ambrie.”
Master indicated the table. “Let’s sit down, and Ambrie can explain everything while we order. If we don’t get to it, Alena will be out here giving us a lecture.”
Amanda looked to her brother for direction. “Adam, I’m so confused I don’t know what to say. This is my brother, Adam, and a friend of his, Rashad Perry. Rashad is a member of the band Troubled Sons. And this is a friend of mine, Marcus Phillips.”
Master held out his hand, first to Adam. “Nice to meet you. Ambrie has spoken of you. Marcus, it’s been too long since we’ve seen you. And Rashad, we’ve met a couple of times, good to see you again.”
Master kept them moving toward the table reserved for them in the back room. Several members of Torpedo Ink were already at the smaller tables surrounding the one they would be using. Ice and Soleil were seated with Storm. Casimir and Lissa were having dinner with Scarlet and Absinthe.
“You all know him?” Amanda asked as Marcus pulled out her chair for her. “Am I the only one who doesn’t? Where have I been all this time?”
Ink winked at her. “Since no one saw fit to introduce me, my friends call me Ink. I own Black Ink Tattoo—I don’t use a lot of color, which is why the name, although now Lana and Alena are giving me hell over it.”
“Your artwork is pretty damn famous,” Rashad said. “And Master, Crows Flying is one of the best bands out there. The music you play is unbelievable. You want to jam with us anytime, man, you’re welcome.”
“Thanks.” That was about his quota for talking for the day. He was grateful when Keys and Maestro sat down and then Blythe and Czar entered the room. The moment they did, it was as if royalty had entered. A short hush fell before several of the members called out a greeting. Czar held out a chair for Blythe across from Ambrie and Master. Ink introduced everyone.
Amanda sighed. “I just want to know how you came to be married. For real, Ambrie?”
“Yes, we’ve known each other awhile, broke up because, well . . .” She trailed off.
Master shrugged and brought her hand to his mouth, kissing her knuckles.
It was Czar who explained. “When you find the love of your life, it’s difficult to believe you’re worthy. In fact, you know you’re not, so you do the honorable thing no matter how much it hurts, and you let her go.”
“He broke up with you?” Amanda looked incredulous. She turned to Marcus for support. “Can you imagine how insane you would have to be to break up with Ambrielle? I mean, look at her.”
Ambrie blushed, the soft rose color sweeping up her neck into her face. “Amanda.”
“Yes,” Marcus replied solemnly. “It’s called love, Amanda. If you truly love someone, and you don’t think you’re going to enhance their life, you do let them go. Or you hesitate before you make your move because you know you really shouldn’t.”