Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77904 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77904 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“That’s being a father,” Cotton answered. “And I got news for ya. That feeling never goes away.”
“I don’t know if I can take it.”
“You can, and you will.”
“I’m gonna try.” A proud smile crossed his face as he said, “Dalton’s an amazing kid. Hell, I’d claim him even if he wasn’t mine.”
“He really is something.” Cotton cocked his brow. “So, when are your mom and I gonna get to spend some more time with him?”
“Whenever is good with me.” Savage took a pull from his beer. “Let me check with Londyn, and if all is well, he can hang with you guys this weekend. Then, he won’t be underfoot while we’re putting together his swing set.”
“A swing set?” I groaned. “That’s great. Our VP’s getting all domesticated and shit.”
“Says the man who’s yet to find an ol’ lady. You know, you could use some domestication yourself.” He gave me a playful nudge. “An ol’ lady might do you some good. She could settle your ass down.”
“Never gonna happen, brother.” I was tempted to tell him about the gorgeous brunette I’d met at the movies a few months back, but it didn’t feel right. So, I ran my hand over my beard. “I’m a beast that can’t be tamed.”
“Yeah, keep telling yourself that. One day, the right girl will come along...”
“I wouldn’t hold my breath.” I wasn’t in the mood to discuss my love life, so I turned to Smokey and asked, “How are things going out at the orchard?”
And just like that, the conversation turned to MJ and all they had going on at the farm. From the sounds of it, my brother had his hands full, but that was nothing new. He and MJ were always busy doing something, but we were all busy. Each of us had our own lives outside of the club, and I’ll admit, some were more hectic than others. And from the sounds of it, things were pretty hectic over at the orchard.
Hoping to lift his mood, I leaned over to him and smiled, “Do you know the difference between an apple and an orphan?”
Smokey gave me a look, then shook his head and sighed. “Nope. Can’t say that I do.”
“An apple gets picked.”
It took a second for my answer to sink in, but when it did, it got the reaction I expected. “You’re going to hell. You know that, right?”
“What?” I asked innocently. “You didn’t like my joke? I’ve got more. What do you get when you cross a dick with a potato?”
Again, Smokey shook his head.
I chuckled as I answered, “A dictator.”
There was a low rumble of laughter which quickly faded when Torch appeared in the doorway and said, “I think they found something.”
No one responded.
We simply stood and followed Torch down the hall to Bone’s computer room. When we walked in, Big was at the back table sifting through a stack of files while Bones sat at his laptop spouting off dates. It was always impressive to see them work, especially together. From the beginning, Big had an uncanny gift for finding information no one else could find and doing things no one else could do. Bones was just like him, but he had a focus like none other. And when he set his mind to something, he didn’t stop until he got it done.
I stood there in the doorway listening as Bones called out another date. “April 1st, 1998... 87256038.”
“Yep. Got it.”
“Got what?” Savage asked as he stepped over to Big and glanced over his shoulder. Big lifted one of the pages and said, “Deposits from one of Bruton’s offshore accounts. They go out every month. Sometimes more than once, but always to a Sawyer Grant, account number 87256038. Been making deposits since ‘98.”
“Oh, yeah?” Savage studied the receipt for a moment. “Wait... ‘98? Isn’t that when Bruton started teaching at the high school?”
“I don’t know, but it wouldn’t be hard to find out.”
“Something to keep in mind.” Savage continued to study the receipt as he asked, “Got any idea who this Sawyer guy is?”
“No, but we’re working on it.”
I felt like we were finally getting somewhere when Clutch stepped into the room and said, “We’ve got company.”
“What?” Savage sounded annoyed as he asked, “Who the fuck is it?”
“We got somebody at the gate.” Clutch cocked his brow as he looked over to me and said, “He asked to speak with whoever’s in charge.”
“And?”
“And we were about to turn him away until he mentioned he had ties to Bruton.”
“Damn. He’s six feet under and still bringing the surprises.”
“That he is.” Clutch started for the door as he said, “Prez is waiting for you in the bar.”
Savage gave him a nod, then started out of the room. He hadn’t gotten far when I started after him and said, “Hold on. I’m coming with.”