Page 54 of House of Scarlett
“Let’s put the brakes on this pity party and get you some food, okay?” Flynn says, releasing her grip on me and meeting my eyes.
“Sounds like a plan. What are you making?”
Flynn chokes out a laugh. “Like I know how to cook? I grew up a rich kid in Manhattan. Takeout is my life. But I can find some home cookin’ and pretend I made it, if that makes you feel better.”
I can almost smell it. “Mashed potatoes do sound really good right about now.”
“I know exactly the right place. I drowned myself in their fried chicken after this stupid frat boy tried to humiliate me in class because I wouldn’t give him head in the library.”
My mama bear instincts rise to the surface with a vengeance. “What’s his name? I will ruin his life.”
Flynn stares at me, blinking over and over for a few beats. “You ... you’d do that for me?”
She sounds so young and surprised, that my heart hurts for her. She didn’t have a good mom, and I should know, because her mom was my stepmother too.
I wrap an arm around Flynn’s shoulders. “We’re family, Flynn. Nothing changes that. I’ll always have your back.”
Her smile could light up the entire city. “I’m really fucking glad that limp dick of an ex-boyfriend sent you to my therapist’s office.”
“Me too, kid. Me too.”
Thirty-Two
Legend
As much asI’d rather be at Scarlett’s place instead of the club, I don’t have a choice. Q called and said Rolo showed up and wanted to see me. When Q told him I wasn’t around, Rolo made a scene, accusing me of dodging him and generally being a bitch.
Not in my house.
So here I am, walking into the club wearing ripped jeans and a black hoodie, something that wouldn’t meet our dress code, but I don’t give a damn. If Rolo wants to call me out, he can do it to my face, and I don’t have to worry about fucking up one of my very few suits when I beat the shit out of him.
Except I should have known better. I should have known Rolo wouldn’t dare step up to me in person. Instead, he’s all smiles when I walk into the VIP section where Q put him to shut him up until I could get there.
“Man, it’s been weeks, and you haven’t answered my texts. I’ve been working my ass off to put together some action for you, but if you’re going to keep blowing me off, I’ll work my ass off for someone else.”
“I didn’t ask you to do anything, Rolo.”
He leans back against the leather bench seat and gives me a chin jerk. “I know you, Legend. Better than most of the assholes in this town. You need cash, and I’m your man. So, why not get rich together?”
He’s sold me before using the same speech, but I’m not the same man I was back then. Something Rolo doesn’t know and will probably never realize. But ... I still need money. Once the investors review the most recent financial statements, phone calls are going to start coming in, and I’ll have to answer for the disappointing numbers. But Rolo doesn’t know that, and I’m not going to let him see me sweat. Not a chance in hell.
“I’m out of the game, Rolo. No more underground fights. I’m not living that life anymore.”
Rolo leans back, and he fuckinglaughs.“Guys like you don’t get out of the game, Legend. They live it until the end when they die in it. You may think you’re better than me now, but I’ve heard the rumors. Your club is struggling. You need help.”
Rage burns through my veins.
“You don’t know shit about my club, and if you’re the one spreading those rumors, you and I can step into the cagetogetherand sort it out.”
Rolo holds up one hand and backpedals. “Damn, man. Must be worse than I heard. I didn’t mean to poke a sore spot. I’m just here to help. I didn’t start any rumors, but that doesn’t mean they ain’t out there. Like the one about Black wanting his rematch bad enough that he’s willing to fuck up your life to get it.”
The fury I’m feeling turns ice cold as I reach out and grab Rolo by the collar of his shirt. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
All remaining traces of humor disappear from the man’s face. “Hey. Chill out. Don’t shoot the messenger.”
My molars grind together as I’m filled with the urge to shake the answers loose, but I don’t release my grip. “Tell me what the fuck you meant.”
“Rumor has it Black could’ve had something to do with the shit that went down at the club. I didn’t hear much. Just a whisper.”
