Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 37638 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 188(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37638 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 188(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
When I opened the door to go find my sister and Iris, both women were at my door. Winter had her hand raised to knock, and all three of us jumped before dissolving into giggles.
“I can’t believe you slept so late, Serelda.” Winter looped her arm through mine and Iris’s as we made our way to the big party room. During the day, there was always food and a big-screen TV on. Usually with something sports-related. Today was no exception.
“Oh? How long you guys been up?” I had a feeling not long.
“Forever. We got tired of waiting on you.” Iris tried to look all innocent, but I wasn’t fooled.
“Well, I was busy last night. Didn’t get any sleep.”
“Really? I slept like a baby.” Winter gave a superior sigh, as if she were so sad for me. I gave her the side eye.
“That’s too bad, Winter. I’d have hoped your man would have taken care of you after all you went through for him.” I grinned. “Mine certainly did.”
Winter gasped. “Serelda! You little slut!”
I couldn’t help it. I giggled like a loon. “I totally am. And you know what? I loved every fucking second of it.”
We all laughed as we made our way to the bar where there were snacks and pizza for the game. Apparently, we’d missed breakfast.
“I never thought I could be this happy,” I said, looking at Winter. I knew my sister would understand. “When I thought I couldn’t have Brick, I wanted to make sure you had your happy ever after without having to worry about me.”
She reached over and gripped my hand. “We’re family, Serelda. My life will never be complete without you in it. And Iris is now part of that family, too. We have to stick together if we have even a chance of taking some of the burdens off our men.”
“I know.” Winter shook her head. “I worry about Sting sometimes. He never shows it, but I know he worries he’ll lead the club wrong. He never wants to be the one to hurt the club.”
“He won’t be,” I said softly. “He’s got good men supporting him. Brick’s his VP, and they always talk things out if it’s a major decision. Besides, I saw what happened at Black Reign. With the club member they… expelled.” I kept my voice low, looking around me in case we weren’t alone. There were a few members milling around, but they mostly ignored us. I still didn’t want to talk too loudly. “He took his time deciding what he needed to do. He and Brick talked it over. I heard him say he didn’t want to make a permanent decision while he was angry. No. Your man will do right by this club. And you.”
Iris’s lips parted in a small gasp. “Thank you for that. It means a lot.”
“We have good men,” Winter said, growing serious. “It’s our job to take care of them and to ease as many of their burdens as we can. We’ll need to stay in this together.”
“We’ll have each other’s backs as well as theirs.” Iris put her chin up. “We’re their last line of defense.”
“You know what this means, right?” I gripped my sister’s hand.
“Yeah. We have to be part of whatever they’re planning. We brought this evil to their door. We’ll take responsibility for it.”
“Pretty sure we already had that conversation.” Sting’s voice was soft as he came up behind us. “The answer was no.”
“I’m not talking about us actually doing the fighting,” I said, trying to reason with the man. “But we need to know what’s going on so we know how best to help you.”
“Tinkerbell, I appreciate what you’re saying.” Brick wrapped an arm around my shoulders and kissed my temple. “But the best thing the three of you can do -- especially you and Winter -- is stay where we tell you to stay. The club can take this guy and whoever he throws at us, but if we’re distracted worrying about where you are and if you’re in the line of fire, we’re liable to make mistakes that could get people killed.”
“What did you find out, Sting?” Iris asked, deflected the conversation. She was young, but she was already learning the art of diplomacy.
“There are five men on their way to Indiana. We had Wylde reach out and tell them we had you. He told them he’d only hand you over to the Cannibal himself. That way we get the maximum payout and not a portion. It’s a plausible reason and gives this psycho incentive to come out of hiding. If he wants you bad enough, he’ll show. If not, we’ll figure something else out. We’re counting on the two of you to identify him, because we can’t.”
“What about Brick?” I asked. “If they’ve put out a hit on you, won’t they think this is a trap?”