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Chapter 65: Open for Business
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 66: Don't Let Tabitha Near the Oven
Tabitha, wearing one of the bakery's pink aprons with some form of melted brown goo — please let it be chocolate — all down the front of it, steps out of the kitchen carrying a plate of charcoal briquettes. Except she wasn't barbecuing back there. She was baking cookies."Your oven hates me." Her gaze never leaves the plate of her disfigured chocolate chip cookies.I cringe, not wanting to have this conversation...again. "I think it's scared of you. You intimidate it."It's a lie. A big one, but maybe it will help her kitchen confidence. Or let me kick her out permanently from the baking area. Either option works for me. "Me? How?""Well, yesterday you called it a fucking gutterslut."She taps her foot on the tile floor, annoyance obvious in her pinched features. "Well, if the name fits."There's nothing left for me to do but shake my head. "Try talking nicely to it. Maybe pet the side every once in a while.""Should I make a sacrifice, too?""No, I think those co
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 67: The Boys Will Not Be Happy About This
There's nothing else for me to do except turn around and face the bikers. The same overdone smile is plastered on my face when I do."It looks like a pink fairy took a shit in here," the tallest one says, his eyes scanning the room and his nose crinkling higher and higher with each sweep."So what brings you boys in?" Great, Anessa. When will I learn to not engage?"Dom said we should make sure and patronize local businesses," Spider says, his voice lifting on the word patronize. "Especially the new ones." He flicks a piece of his blond hair away from his face."Ahhh." Yup, not less awkward now. I wonder what they think of their boss telling them to buy something at a little pink bakery. From the way the taller one grimaces every time his eye hits a piece of the décor, he may not have known what to expect until he walked in.Tabitha passes over the white Styrofoam to-go cup with what better be the best tasting coffee she's ever poured. Next comes the tea.Everything is goin
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 68: Are We There Yet?
Another minute flicks past on the digital readout in Bennett's truck. We've been driving for well over two hours, and the conversation is light and easy. The two of us are swapping stories of different memories in our lifetimes. Bennett's mostly revolve around the foibles of learning to raise his son and mine more often than not include a baking mishap. It's perfectly us.It's a steady flow of chitchat back and forth, but now as Bennett's truck turns off the expressway and he peers out the window, obviously looking for our final destination, the cab goes silent. Dead bug carcasses dirty up his front window, but one particular gushy one is driving me insane. I want to lean over and turn on his windshield wipers to wash the green slime away."Are we there yet?" I ask in a totally annoying-child-on-a-long-car-trip voice, but it saves me the embarrassment of turning on his wipers when he isn't looking. Bennett is not ready to know how crazy I am about being clean. I'm doing both of us
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 69: Arrival
I twist around as slowly as possible so I don't move the boat too far to one side. A mile or so behind me — I've never been great with judging distance — looks to be a small island. Green trees or other shrubs mark out a small section in the horizon. "Yeah.""That's where we're going." Bennett resumes paddling with the oars he brought along."That's it?" He won't give me another hint. An island?He shakes his head laughing. "Fine, you made it this far. That tiny island is called Fort Gorges. Back in the 1800s the military built a fort on the lands. It boasted top-of-the-line technology, but then somebody went and designed a long-range gun and made the forts obsolete. It was never used.""Great example of government overspending," I murmur under my breath and twist back around to keep my eye on the green island as we get closer."Fort Gorges is a prime example of how our government works," Bennett laughs and splashes the paddle deep into the water. "Now, it's a park. I figured
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 70: Most Beautiful Places in the World
With a twist and turn Bennett positions the boat to his side, jumping out, and pulling us to shore before I even realize what's happening. When more than half the boat is on dry land, I scoot to the middle and step out. Bennett wraps the backpack around his shoulder and takes my hand before heading to the small doorway cut out of the large fortress.The overbearing stone doors open and Bennett walks through like he knows exactly where we're going. There is darkness as we walk through the sole enclosure, under an archway of smooth rock."Oh my Word," I whisper when we reach the other side and daylight falls on the space. The middle of the fort — and the island — is a lush green tropical expanse of land. A green carpet of forest floor surrounded by the walls of the fortress. And unlike Bennett's earlier statement, someone has definitely been here and mowed. The grass is cut short to the ground and smooth, making the area around us a symposium of straight lines — the intersection of m
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 71: It's Genetics
"If he grows up half as charming as you, then all the girls in Pelican Bay are in trouble. Do you want me to get the plates?" I ask in a half-assed attempt to do something to avoid a conversation I made way too personal too soon."Well..." He laughs the word, but I sense Bennett is frustrated. Not something I've ever seen with him. "I forgot the plates."The smile that hasn't left my face since the minute we stepped foot on the island grows. "You forgot the plates?""Hey, I remembered the fancy napkins." He flips his napkin around a few times.It's enough to lighten the mood. "Well then, pass me a fork."I grab the bowl of macaroni and cheese before he has a chance to stop me. We eat sitting on a black and white checkered blanket on a grassy section of a forgotten fort — Bennett and me together.It takes a while, but eventually we've each had a sandwich and taken a turn eating macaroni from the bowl. The conversation is easy, revolving mostly around my future plans for the
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 72: No Judgement
"You can tell us if you did. We won't judge you." Katy taps Tabitha on the shoulder and both girls nod their heads doing their best to look innocent."They're lying to you. Katy will ask one thousand embarrassing follow-up questions." The fourth person at our table shakes her head, giving me advice I already know.Katy scoffs, the main lights in the town's newest bar casting weird shadows on her face. "Winnie! I can't believe you say such lies about me.""I can't believe you'd deny it?" Winnie, not at all perturbed by Katy's comment, pulls a piece of her long blonde hair behind her ear. She slowly blinks, her green eyes telling Katy she's not buying any of it. "I'm not warning her of anything she didn't already know. Am I?" She looks to me with the question."No," I respond. Katy would probably ask me to draw a diagram of what Bennett and I did."See?" Winnie tips up a shoulder in a halfhearted shrug. One of Katy's high school friends who now lives in Vegas, she's back in Pel
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 73: A Crowded Bar
"Well, they've obviously improved." I've never been one to search out bands. The only concert I've ever attended was Justin Bieber with my niece during my failed attempt at college. And that's an experience I don't wish to repeat. I couldn't hear for two days after. But the band tonight sounded as good as the professionals. As loud too.I lose sight of Tabitha as she inches closer to the bar, the crowd circling around her blocking her path and my line of sight. My head tips back and forth as I search the crowd, hopeful her arms are loaded up with drinks. When she finally reaches the table my shoulders slump with release. With two arms wrapped around them Tabitha carries four tall glasses, each filled with ice and a light brown colored liquid. Considering earlier tonight she said everyone should get drunk on Long Islands, for once it's not hard to guess what she's holding.She sets the glasses on the table and I quickly grab one from the end. Liquid is liquid and I've always been a
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Pelican Bay Security Chapter 324: From Elliot
ElliotFive years later"No, sweetie, we only get one puppy today." I squat getting on the same level as my daughter, Brandise.The round ball of fluff she squeezes onto with all her might so he doesn't run away licks her across the face and she giggles. "Daddy, they're twins just me and Bray. They have to stay together."My eyes flick back and forth between each dog. One held in the tight grip of Brandise and the other being sized up by my son. Their mother, Harley, a woman who took too long for me to figure she meant everything stands between the two of them with her lips pinched together not helping me in this situation. She's left me out in the cold on my own.The two puppy siblings look alike, but in my eyes every Yorkie looks the same. How can you tell them apart? The puppies my babies held both had a lighter colored face than Rocky, but other than that they were big puffballs of fur."Sweetie, Rocky only needs one brother," I try again hoping to talk sense into her.
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 322: No Listening to Reason
Elliot's steps are slow but sure as I hold open the bakery door to let him get through the space. Once he's cleared the way, I stand beside him in case he needs me for support as he makes his way to the first table in the busy sitting section. You wouldn't expect a shoulder injury to cause issues walking, but with each movement his body makes, his shoulder sways with the force and his face grimaces.It's too soon for him to be up and moving, but I couldn't make him listen to reason.He finds his seat and plops in it heavily, the chair legs scraping on the tile. The people around us stop what they're doing and turn before a small round of applause starts from behind the bakery counter and then picks up including people from every space in the bakery. Elliot turns to the noise, catching everyone in their adoration, and scowls until the clapping fades."Cupcakes for everyone," Anessa says smiling from her spot at the counter. "Especially for our new hero."Elliot's scowl deepens.
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 323: Eligible Bachelors
Dominick releases a breath and sucks in another one as if preparing himself for this new life. "Are you positive? Because there are very eligible bachelors in my club. A brother could keep you safe."I don't argue with him that Elliot kept me safe. Well at least until he got shot, and no one can blame a man for that. He literally stuck his body in between me and a loaded weapon. How much more could he have done?Plus I could never live life in the club again. Now after experiencing life on my own. "Yeah, and then they'd cheat on me or go to prison."Dominick shakes his head. "My men aren't that way. They love hard and deep. I changed the club here, Harley. It's different from how we grew up in Colorado."There's honesty in his words, but it will never be enough to bring me back. "Elliot is mine."Dom shakes his head once, admitting defeat. "Fine. Onto topic two. I met your father," he says father accusatorily like I've been keeping something from him.Which, in a way, I hav
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 322: Three Bullets to the Chest
Without warning there's another harsh pop in the air like someone shooting off a firecracker, and then red blossoms in the middle of Pete's forehead. His body falls back hitting the ground once again. The thud is too far away to hear, but I swear my body feels the vibration.Holy fuck.My ears ring from the gunfire as men pool around us each of them yelling things back and forth. It's coordinated chaos. An ambulance with its lights flashing speeds over the highway."That man took three bullets to the chest," Huxley mutters to himself shaking his head. "I haven't seen anything that crazy since Thailand."... The steady beat of Elliot's hospital machines lulls me into a restless sleep as my head rests on Elliot's hand."Harley," a deep voice whispers in my ear, shaking my shoulder. "Har."In a start my head pops up and my eyes search Elliot's face, but his hand still rests underneath my head, a pool of my drool sticking between his fingers."Still drool, huh? I wouldn't
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 321: Nobody to Save Me
"Dominick won't pay anything for me," I lie.Pete laughs. "Don't want money. I'm looking to trade you for a free get-out-of-town card. If he won't offer me his protection, you'll be a going away gift to my men. They're upset with having to leave. I'm sure you understand.""What?" Fear causes me to choke out the word as a hundred images flash through my brain of what he could mean, but only one is sick and depraved enough for this man.He smirks. "They'll love you if the Impaler doesn't."I fall to my knees against the back of his seat. "No, please don't." I'd rather he shoot me now than do what his smile promises. He means I'm to be a sexual gift given to his men and passed between them. I'd never survive. Sure, Dom trained me in basic self-defense skills, but my mother sheltered me from club life so I only heard the evils of the world through others. Until now, I never once felt concern for my safety. Not the way I do now.The cargo van travels on the highway, passing a bill
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 320: Nothing Drastic
"Stand up, Fucker."Elliot scoots away from me as I claw deftly on his leg trying to hold on and keep him close. He turns, not making any sudden movements and puts his body in front of mine to shield me once again from the nasties of life."Let's not do anything drastic, Pete." Elliot takes a step forward with his hand held out defensively.I twist seeing the old man wearing a pair of board shorts, a blue Hawaiian shirt with palm trees, and flip-flops on his feet standing in the middle of the beach. He resembles a tourist who belongs in Florida not a man running a drug ring in Pelican Bay. He sneers at me taking the tension from Elliot for just a moment and waving the gun in his direction as if either of us could forget it's there."She's the only one who can name me. Without her I can pick up shop and start somewhere fresh and there's nothing you can do about it. You guys don't have shit on me.""You're standing in the middle of a public beach during the day, Pete," Elliot t
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 319: Stagnant Words
He flinches as of my question has hurt him, but I'm the child who didn't have a father. "I got out early for good behavior and I looked up your mother. I learned what happened. Sorry about your loss," he says. The words are stagnant as if he knows what he's supposed to say but struggles with the meaning. Yet, something in the inflection makes me believe he means each one. His eyes turn soft, possibly remembering his time with my mother.My life has never been cupcakes and cookies, but the last month has been indescribable except for the word surreal. First, I had no father, then I picked up a club president for a stepdad, lost him, and now gained back the original. What is happening to my life?"What will happen now?"My father shakes his head and stares at me with a touch of a smile tweaking his lips. "I'm out of the club life. Plan to take the straight and narrow from here on out."I hold back the cringe at his promise. It's one I've heard from club brothers my entire life. E
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 318: She Deserves Better
Elliot shakes his head, his fingers curving around the handle of his gun. His face pinches together as if he has so much to say, but is staying silent for me.Until he doesn't anymore."Would someone mind telling me what the fuck is going on?"He's not the only one looking for answers. "Me too. Mom said you died in a motorcycle crash. Drove your bike over a mountain ledge one night." She hadn't said he'd been drinking, but I've filled in the blanks for myself as I aged.My father's teeth come together hard making a gnashing sound I hear even from my position. "Yeah well. She thought it would be better than the true story. Easier for both of you to move on rather than wait around on me living only a half-life.""Then what is the true story?" After my mom left Dominick's dad, it was the three of us together. I always believed we never hid any secrets from one another.My father shakes his head and stares at me but looks past me as if he's reliving the memories himself. "She s
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 317: Escape Plans
My gaze and thoughts flip to the back door, but I'm too far away to reach it before he could shoot me.The man is younger than Pete and not the person I saw put a bullet in someone earlier this month, but he's old enough to be my father. His skin is leathered and wrinkled as if he's spent a lifetime in the sun. His jeans are loose and a leather jacket lacking any MC cut is wrapped around his body. Not a Bloodhound.I stand next to the kitchen island breathing heavily while trying to come up with an escape plan as the two of us stare at one another unmoving.He speaks first. "Now, Harley, is this any way to greet the old man who named you?"His words scatter in my brain, startling me into paying attention, all my plans of escape lost. "Excuse me? My father named me."It was one of the few stories I had of the man who shared such a brief relationship with my mother. "He wanted to pay homage to the best...""Damn motorcycle company the US has ever seen," he finishes my sentenc
