Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26738 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26738 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
“I’m not going to lie to you, Larissa. I don’t have much in the way of work. In fact, all I do have available at this time is that of a cleaner, and I don’t think your dad is going to appreciate you cleaning this place up.”
“It’s work, and my dad believes in hard work.”
“Even at the clubhouse?”
Larissa nodded. “I know you and my dad are friends in some kind of way. He loves Ava, Abriana, and Raven. He knows you’re all good people.”
She was way too trusting.
Smokey knew that if he took her on as a cleaner, he was going to be fucked. He’d have to put a protective mark on her. Let all of the club know she was untouchable. This didn’t sound like fun to him.
There were plenty of women for the boys to enjoy.
“I’m a good cleaner,” Larissa said. “In fact, it was one of the roles I had at the library. I’ll be good, and I promise I won’t get involved with anyone. I know what I’m doing.”
He didn’t believe that she did. She was a good person. The club had its run of bad shit. This was fucking wrong. The clubhouse was better than sending her to the fucking porn studio. At least here, he could keep an eye on her.
“How about we have a probationary period?” Larissa said. “I work for you for, say a month, and if you don’t like my work ethic, you can fire me.”
“Look, it’s not about your work ethic. I know you’re a good kid. This club, we’re, it’s…”
“Smokey, I’m not a fool. I know that your club might not be quite above legal at times. I’m not blinded by that. I get that there is a lot of sex that goes on, and parties.”
He was going to burn in hell for hearing Larissa say the word sex.
“I also know that something bad has happened to Ava here. Again, I don’t know everything, but a lot of people talk and there are a lot of rumors.”
“And you’re not terrified?”
“No,” Larissa said. “You have only ever been nice to me. Why would I be worried or troubled by that? Rumors can be fake, Smokey. I never trust gossip or the whole he said, she said.” She shrugged. “That’s how lives can be destroyed.” She stood. “I can see having me here makes you uncomfortable, and I honestly don’t want that.” She held her hand out. “Thank you for giving me the opportunity.”
“Larissa, I’m not saying no, okay? I will gladly have you on for a month, and if after then, you haven’t been scared to fucking death, we’ll talk.”
He didn’t need to hire her. There was no reason to help her, but she was Jonah’s kid, and a nice one. It was Christmas, and losing a job and struggling to find another was bad enough. He couldn’t just let Larissa go.
Larissa smiled. “Thank you so much. I promise, you won’t be disappointed.”
“Your job starts after Christmas.”
“Oh, well, I saw all the boxes and glitter on the floor. I know you want this to be a surprise for Ava, but I can help with that. Trust me, I know how to decorate.” Larissa gave him an encouraging smile.
He had a bad feeling about this. “Sure, your probation starts now.” Smokey got to his feet. “I’ll show you where everything is.”
The clubhouse was full of the brothers. He wasn’t going to embarrass Larissa now, but he texted Hunter to put a message out that Church would be happening tomorrow morning. No excuses. The sooner he put the warning out, the happier he’d feel.
This was already turning into a Christmas from hell. So much glitter. He pretty much sparkled just by walking out of his office.
Harlow had already stopped by with the last of the food prep for the freezer, and of course, she had been more than happy to help organize the tables as well.
She was a good kid, and he’d noticed Hunter lurking around. He had seen her out of the clubhouse and Harlow, being the strange one that she was, had simply thrown her arms around him and thanked him for inviting her for Christmas, for being part of this surprise with Ava.
All he wanted was for Ava to be happy. For her to see this clubhouse as an extension of their home.
While Larissa got stuck in helping decorate and cleaning up the mess, he messaged Hunter to send out the alert that he wanted everyone in church. He checked around the clubhouse and saw that his presence was no longer needed, and the only place he wanted to be was at home.
Umberto had been with Abriana, and she’d dropped his son off with Ava at the bakery, so he’d ridden his bike to the clubhouse.
Leaving the main clubhouse, he went straight to his bike. With the snow, there was no way for him to enjoy a ride, so he had no choice but to head straight home. There would be time to enjoy a ride once the weather had calmed down.