Page 84 of Riding Dirty

“I’m glad you’re here. I wanted to talk to you both together.”

They share a look that can only be described as surprise mixed with confusion. I don’t make them wait any longer, though. Clearly, they’ve got some questions, and I want them to think about this while I’m gone and have an answer for me by the time I return.

“I don’t like either of you living here, to be honest,” I begin.

Alex opens his mouth, likely to protest, but I don’t let him. I completely understand why they’re living here and what it took for them to get to where they are. But I’m in a position to help, and that’s what I’m going to do.

I continue my speech, ready to wrap up the conversation, because I don’t do emotions and shit. Plus, this isn’t up for discussion. I just want them to decide which townhouse they want. Hell, if I could get them to move out today, I fucking would.

“One of the brothers is big into real estate, and he’s got two townhouses he’s going to check out for me. One is newer but has fewer amenities. The other is about twenty years old, clean, but has a pool and gym, shit like that. The older one is priced low enough that we could update and upgrade the shit inside you want to. Think about what you want, and that’s what I’ll buy.”

“Buy?” Alex asks.

“For both of you. They’re both two beds, two baths.”

Alex and Elodie shift their focus from me to one another and then back to me. “I’ve talked about this,” I state. “I wasn’t fucking around. I couldn’t decide if I was going to rent you something or buy it. It’s better for me, financially speaking, to buy something.”

“But for both of us?” Alex asks again.

“You’re family, you’re in business together, and you need one another. So yeah, for both of you. Use your money to build your business instead of paying rent on two places. Maybe hire another employee or some shit, I don’t know. But let me take care of the housing shit for you.”

They don’t speak. Their mouths open and close a few times, then it’s Elodie who actually snaps out of it. “Coast, we can’t do that. It’s too much.”

My lips twitch into a smirk because she says that, but I can tell by the expression they’re both wearing that they want this. Bad. Maybe it’s feeling too much like a too-good-to-be-true moment. But it’s not. I’m offering this because it’s what I want. It’s selfish, really.

“Elodie?” I begin. “You’re not doing anything. I am.”

“But it’s too much,” she whispers, emphasizing exactly what I knew she would. The too-much part. Doesn’t she understand that if I keep her in my house, safe and satisfied, she’s got nowhere else she needs to be—just be mine?

“You my woman?” I demand.

Her eyes widen, her lips part, and she moves her jaw up and down, but nothing comes out. Which is fine. She doesn’t need to respond.

She is my woman.

I’ve claimed her, and soon she’ll be wearing my mark, too, so the whole world can see she’s mine. After that comes a wedding ring and maybe even some kids, if that’s what she wants.

“I’m yours,” she mutters.

“Damn fucking right.”

Conversation. Over.

CHAPTER

SIXTY-FOUR

WRATH

Two-Pump, Hippie, and Blast step up beside me as we stand in front of the Zoloto Dollar. It’s one of the most exclusive strip clubs in Sin City. I’ve actually never gone inside, not that I’ve ever had a reason to.

I don’t make it a habit to come to Vegas in general. It’s too big and far too crowded. I’d rather be back at my clubhouse, where I can chill and I’ve got a bed to stumble into. Which is probably showing my age, but I don’t really give a fuck.

At this exclusive club, the line winds around the building, and there are people everywhere. I would rather be just about anywhere else, especially because there’s a dress code.

Though we aren’t exactly following it the way we’re probably supposed to. We’re all four wearing slacks and a button-down shirt, but we’ve got on our boots and cuts, so they’re going to have to accept us the way we are.

This is as fancy as it gets, unless we’re on a job, and that’s not what this is. “You guys ready for this bullshit?” I ask.