Total pages in book: 171
Estimated words: 159500 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 798(@200wpm)___ 638(@250wpm)___ 532(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 159500 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 798(@200wpm)___ 638(@250wpm)___ 532(@300wpm)
Prophet lets out a startled laugh. “Wow. How can I ever trust you again after this? And with enforcing the law? I bet you didn’t think about it when you grabbed that pipe for everyone to see. I can’t fucking help you. We will hold a meeting about this, and both of you better start praying to the deity of your choosing!”
He opens his hand in front of the bars. “Hand over the amulets.”
For a moment I have no idea what he’s talking about, but then I realize he means the ones he gave us for protection. I’d laugh if I wasn’t worried about our future. Instead I just take it off without looking into his eyes and Road does the same.
Prophet squeezes them and shakes his fist at us. “I no longer extend my protection! You will be judged,” he says and walks up the stairs leading to the clubhouse.
Silence extends between us for a while after he closes the door, but at least he’s left the light on. I slide my hand up Road’s back. “I, for one, think you did great,” I say to lighten the mood. He needs to know how much I appreciate him.
Laughter shakes his body, and he rubs his face. “Don’t worry, I’m used to disappointing people. I just don’t like disappointing him.”
I pull him in for a hug. “You didn’t disappoint me. In fact, you exceeded my expectations. Pushing him into the fire was a nice touch.”
He chuckles and rests his head against mine as he finally meets my gaze. “He was asking for it,” he says as his hand finds mine.
“Thank you for not telling Prophet. I’d… like to avoid it if possible.” I sigh and kiss the side of his head. The space is hardly romantic with its damp smell and solid brick walls, but I’m feeling tender for him, and won’t deny myself.
Road turns to face me, and his hands, so familiar by now, settle on the small of my back. He might be sorry about disappointing his friends, but there isn’t even an ounce of regret in him. “It has nothing to do with him.”
“I do worry about their vote. Is execution possible, or are we looking at getting kicked out? And I’m not saying the latter isn’t serious. I know this is your home.”
His face twitches, brown eyes avoiding mine as he kisses my forehead. “Don’t think they’ll be willing to kill me, but who the fuck knows? Someone from the settlement could report this to the police. I think that would actually be the worst outcome.” He shrugs, so warm in my arms, his clothes so very smoky when I breathe in their scent. “Whatever happens, if you have the chance to go, you should do it. We can always meet at the lake house and regroup there.”
I snort, even though none of this is a laughing matter. “It’s hardly a house.”
“Well, it has a roof, and we had sex there. I think it counts,” Road says and taps the very top part of my ass, as if he were quietly playing the drums.
I hug him tighter. “Seriously though, how can you expect me to leave you behind? It’s like telling me to go without my heart.”
He laughs, but it sounds half-hearted. “We are such fucking saps. The me from a year ago would have mocked me without mercy, but while I know you are half-joking, it really feels good to hear that,” he tells me, meeting my gaze with a melancholic smile. “I still think you should use any opportunity. I did what I did, because I want you to be fine. Don’t want it to go to waste.”
“I’ll agree only if you do the same.”
His face falls. “That’s not fair. We both know I’m the one in deeper shit, because I started it and then actually offed the bastard.”
My heart sinks. Deep down, I know he’s right. “But Prophet’s not like my uncle, right? He’ll have your back in the end?”
Road exhales. “He always did. I don’t think any of the guys will want me dead. They’re more likely to let me leave for good. So we could meet. At the lake,” he adds and squeezes both my hands, eyes so very clear and intense when I sink into them.
I know it’s stupid and risky, but I want to connect with him before anyone comes back. I kiss him. Softly at first, then harder, I slide my tongue into his hot mouth, the adrenaline only fueling my excitement. What’s the worst that can happen? Someone walks in on us? I don’t give a fuck anymore.
Road stiffens, but just as I’m worried he’s not in the mood, his hands roll down and squeeze my ass, pulling me closer as he dives in, tasting my mouth as if this were the last time he’d get to do that. His weight pushes me back, and then I’m pressed to the thick bars, his solid presence blocking me from moving away.