Chapter 16

SIXTEEN

Sharing a fishing boat with ten celebratory men isn’t what I signed up for. There is no place to escape as we ride back to shore. I’m stuck in a booth between Dark and Sunshine as other bikers fill in the gaps, locking me in the corner as they count stacks of cash on the table and drink their fill of beer. Apparently, all those rich assholes brought cash to be stored in a vault to buy the women. Now that money is S.S. property.

Less than an hour ago, we watched from our deck as the yacht and all the bodies in it went up in flames. It’s now dark outside. Wind and waves knock the hull of the boat. The men don’t seem to mind, but they’re too busy drooling over bills to notice the mild storm brewing.

Dark slides two stacks of cash in front of me. “Yours,” he announces, and the men cheer, lifting their beers, as if I’m some hero getting paid for a job well done. Not knowing what to say, I tight-lip smile in thanks.

The Sacred Sinners have always taken good care of me, not only through Dark and Sunshine but also from the higher-ups for my assistance with the sisters and my expertise, if you can even call it that. My businesses keep themselves afloat, but it wasn’t always that way.

Sure, money is great, but pride and satisfaction are far greater.

When Dark notices I won’t touch the cash, he tucks it into a bag I presume he’s keeping for himself. There’s more money there than I know what to do with. It’ll likely pay off the house and then some. Like the rest of the world, that’s one bill I’d like to never have to deal with again. I guess I should be grateful, but more than anything, I’m exhausted. Fighting, killing, sunbathing, and a bottle of wine takes a lot out of a lady.

Knowing I can’t get out of this booth, even if I need to, I rest my head on Sunshine’s shoulder and close my eyes. His hand lies on my knee under the table and remains there, heat seeping through my bare skin, as the storm outside rocks me to sleep.