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“Chill, dude. I was only joking.”

“You want to know how my family manages to stay rich despite our terrible spending habits?” I offered. “It wasn’t too hard for my parents once Mom got her father’s money when he died. It was a shitload, including the house and a heap of fancy cars and stuff. They invested a lot into businesses, which is how we have so much power in Ashburn Valley.”

“What do you guys own?” Reid asked curiously, making me snort.

“What don’t we own is probably an easier question. The real estate companies, two of the main building companies, gas stations, investment properties, a heap of the stores in the mall, and most of the food joints. Pretty sure they’re starting to branch out into other towns, too. I know you guys are getting a new community hall in the Heights, and I think they’re helping upgrade the schools.”

I could tell they appreciated it, but Reid’s smile was sad. “It’s a waste of their money. Someone will just burn it down or smash it to pieces.”

“They know, but Mom lived in the Heights when she was younger. I think it’s her way to try and help other kids that suffer,” I replied. “Maybe we should place an MC in the Heights to help clean it up.”

Logan gave me a look as if I was crazy. “You think bringing a criminal organization into it will clean it up?”

“Yep. The main issue in the Heights is poverty and kids running around out of control. If we shake things up with a clubhouse and sort out the community center, it will force things to change.”

“Or, kids will just join the bikers and you’ll lose control of the club,” Reid pointed out, wincing as he coughed. “Fuck, that hurts.”

We kept talking about random shit until Reid started looking really uncomfortable, and I got to my feet to stretch my legs. “I think I’d better get going. You look like you need a nap and some pain meds.”

“I’d argue, but you’re not exactly lying,” he grunted, appreciation flickering across his face. “Thanks for stopping by. Next time bring me some real food if you can. This hospital shit sucks.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” I chuckled, saying goodbye to both of them before heading back down to my car. I automatically checked Luna’s location before remembering she’d blocked my access, and there was no point driving past her house since she didn’t have a car.

I’d tried to make her keep the Supra, but she refused.

Maddox was fighting at the shed later in the evening, so I grabbed an early dinner at Harley’s and hung out with Landon in the kitchen while he worked, and as much as I wanted to ask about Luna, I didn’t. I knew they’d been hanging out a lot lately, but it wasn’t fair to put him in the middle. If he was going to take a side, I knew it would be with Luna since they were family.

I was pretty sure he was waiting for me to ask too since he didn't seem to relax until I was leaving.

Luna

Dad had been stressing about Tempest for days. She kept vanishing, but this time I stumbled across someone’s Facebook live video which had my sister drunkenly stumbling around a party wearing a skirt so short that her butt cheeks peeked out the bottom.

I didn’t want to worry Dad, so I’d asked Mom to borrow her car with the excuse that I wanted to go to the store for sanitary items.

I hated lying, but I wanted to bring Tempest home without Dad causing a scene like he’d done in the past.

The party was on the border of Ashburn Valley and Hawthorne Heights, so it was easy for me to find. Heaps of people from school were posting about it online, and the address was even public.

I parked out on the road so no one could block me in, and quickly made my way across the lawn and into the party, the dim lights making it hard to see. People ran into me as they moved around and danced, and I ended up finding the kitchen where the lights were on so people could see the drinks they were pouring. Some were playing beer pong, while others did shots and stumbled around with their friends.

I really didn’t see the appeal.

“Excuse me,” I murmured to a guy who was pouring a beer from a keg. “Have you seen Tempest?”

His eyes ran over me for a second before he shrugged. “She’s probably in one of the bedrooms. You her friend?”

“She’s my sister.”

He was lifting his drink to his lips but paused when I said that, his eyes running over me again before he snorted. “There’s no way in hell you’re her sister.”

“Why not?”

“She’s got tits and an ass,” he said without hesitation before walking off, my face heating with embarrassment. A girl walked past me and snickered as she chased after him, but another girl stopped beside me thoughtfully.

“You’re looking for Tempest?”

“Yeah. I saw a video of her online and she’s wasted. If Dad sees it, he’ll show up and cause a scene.” I sighed, her lips kicking up into a smile.