Page 16 of Riding Hard

“I don’t have any need for men, hot or otherwise,” I mutter. “I’m not a professional cleaner, but I’m willing to learn, and I’ll get my hands dirty, no questions asked.”

They both shift their gazes to one another, share a secret smile, and then look back at me. I can tell they think it’s funny that I don’t want anyone. But it’s true. I’ve had enough issues with Victor to last a lifetime.

I need to be alone for the rest of my life, hopefully in peace. I don’t want or need anything more with anyone else. Just silence, peace, and the idea that I can hope for happiness, however that looks.

“I’m here to work,” I state. “I’m over Victor, have been for a long time, but I have no desire to repeat any past mistakes. I need to stay single for the rest of my life.”

Elodie reaches for me. Her hand takes mine, and she slowly closes her eyes before opening them, her gaze on me. Pressing my lips together, I wait for what she’s going to say. I can tell she has something on the tip of her tongue.

“I thought the same thing,” she whispers. “But Coast is the best thing to ever happen to me. I’m not saying that the best thing to ever happen to you is here in Boulder City, or a man, but don’t close yourself off just because your ex is a gigantic douchebag.”

I know she’s right, but that doesn’t make it easier. Instead of telling her that, my lips twitch into a smile, and I dip my chin in a single nod. She’s giving me an opportunity that I can’t ignore. I’m going to be open to being friends with her and Alex.

“Okay,” I whisper.

“Both clubs—that’s where you’ll work. Be at the strip club on Monday and Wednesday at eight in the morning. Alex will meet you there. On Tuesdays and Fridays, you’ll be at the motorcycle club at the same time. You’ll meet either Alex or me there those mornings. We take turns. You’ll have Friday through Sunday off, but before you work at the motorcycle club, you’ll need to sign an NDA.”

This schedule seems too good to be true, but the NDA causes me to pause. I don’t understand how I can even handle this. The good news is that it will keep me busy as hell. The bad news is that it seems like a lot.

“Then after a trial run, we’ll discuss the permanent schedule,” she finishes her speech.

And there it is.

Trial run.

I decide right here and now that I’m going to be the best cleaner Boulder City is ever going to see. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing, but I’m going to do it the best. Because the last thing I want to do is lose this job.

This job might be my saving grace, the only way I’ll be able to get free of Victor. This might just be what I’ve been looking for and waiting for. NDA and all, even if it’s weird as hell. It makes me wonder what the hell they could be doing there. But then again, I won’t have to wonder for long. I’ll be finding out.

Maybe this is what I was meant to find all along.

Maybe all roads led me here—Dirty Little Secrets Cleaning Service.

CHAPTER

THIRTEEN

LOOT

Looking at the school, I can’t help but grunt. I fucking hated school when I was a kid. It wasn’t for me. It wasn’t something that I thought would benefit me in any way whatsoever. But Cade isn’t me, and while he seems a bit nervous to start at a new school, he also seems excited.

“You ready for this?” I ask.

He hums, rocking back on his heels. He reaches for my hand, squeezing my fingers. “I’m ready.”

I’ve been allowed to register him for school here. Destinee still hasn’t been found by the police or social services. I haven’t had a chance to look for her yet myself. I will. I’ve just been focusing on Cade.

And that’s where my focus should be: on Cade. It’s where it always should have been, and maybe I let myself get complacent when it came to her, when it came to the way she has been raising Cade. I’ve been spending my time with him, but I haven’t been paying attention. If I had, I would have realized just what she’s been up to.

I’ll find Destinee sooner or later. She’ll come looking for Cade when she doesn’t receive an automatic deposit of child support, probably next week. Which is fine by me. I hope she does come to me.

Cade and I have been busy the past few days. We went shopping, and I bought him all new clothes and shoes along with school stuff. He also had his first session with a counselor.

When he got home, he was drained. I don’t blame him. I can’t imagine talking about my shit childhood with someone for an hour, and I’m an adult. No doubt it took a lot out of him. There was no way in fuck I was going to try and get him set up at school the same day.

Which is why we’re here today on a Tuesday instead of Monday. “Then let’s go,” I mutter even though I’m not moving.

His hand drops from mine, and I tip my chin down, looking at him in time to watch him adjust the strap of his backpack. He clears his throat and takes one step forward. I can’t hide my smile. He is so much like me, ready to face whatever the fuck makes him nervous head-on.