Page 14 of Indecent Lies

When Texas was deep in the lifestyle and watching this club fold under one member at a time, as they got collared for crimes he was telling his brother about, he knew Axel’s MC was losing money hand over fist.

Did it make it right now? Hell no.

But he’d pay for her.

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

Axel’s face sobered. “We don’t hurt baby girls. My goddamn daughter has been watching her for a week, Texas. She’s fine. It’s not personal, you get me? We seized an opportunity that came to us.”

Texas hardly showed a flicker of emotion, sitting with a desk between them.

“How much do you want?”

“100 G.”

Time was, he might have bartered, joked about the price being too rich for aSoulspalette. But he wasn’tSoulsanymore and he needed to accept that.

“You got bank details? I’ll make a straight transaction.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket.

“Gotta love the modern era, brother.”

It was then he heard a loud gasp and Texas turned his head to see Penelope in the crack through the doorway.

Pale and shock on her face.

Yeah, little girl, you’re costing me a pretty penny.

It took no time at all for Axel to see the money in his account and Texas climbed to his feet. “I won’t be happy if this happens again, do you understand, Axel?”

“Hey, man. Not looking to screw over theSouls. She didn’t want to give her daddy a call, said he wouldn’t care if she was here or not.”

He didn’t let his shock show, but he felt it inside.

The Astor’s always kept Penelope cocooned in a bubble.

Why would she tell Axel they wouldn’t care?

“So, what’s the connection there? She wouldn’t tell my girl how she knew you.”

“No offense.” Actually, a lot of offense, “but you just fleeced me for a hundred grand. I’m not giving you anything else.”

At this Axel laughed, rose to his feet with a nod. “No problem, Texas. I’d be the same. But gotta say, my little girl was in a place like this, as much of a pain in the ass she is, I’d break the fucking world to get her back. Gotta wonder why her daddy didn’t.”

It was something to think about, but Texas just wanted to get out of there.

He gave the other man a chin lift and walked to the door.

Penelope was no longer standing there but he found her in the main room with Axel’s kid.

She had a purse slung over her arm and a white garment bag in the other.

Her eyes were so expressive, it was impossible not to read what she was thinking.

She’d stumbled her princess ass into a world that could have easily chewed her up and spat her out and she would never have been the same again.

This thought alone made Texas’ jaw tighter than usual and his eyes turned flat at her stupidity.

Why come looking for him?