Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 67757 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 339(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67757 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 339(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
The wind roars in my ears, magnified by my helmet, while I’m trying to silence my racing thoughts. But it’s not enough. My mind is in a thousand different places right now.
As we pull up to the clubhouse, the atmosphere shifts dramatically. It’s clear we’ve stumbled upon a full-blown party, the lively sounds and vibrant energy doing nothing to slow down my thoughts. As we walk into the clubhouse, the smell of cigarette and weed smoke fills the air, laughter echoing nearly as loud as the music, and everyone is laughing and smiling.
It feels like a slap in the face, which I know is ridiculous. They don’t know anything that happened to me tonight. Instinctively, I reach out and grab Lucky’s forearm.
He turns to me with a scowl that turns up into a smile. “You’re all right, Princess.”
I nod. It’s not like this is my first time at the clubhouse, but everything feels wrong tonight. I’m vulnerable and scared, and that feeling only worsens when everyone starts to notice our presence.
I see Kenna with her head leaning on Ace’s shoulder, and I step closer to Lucky. It’s clear I don’t belong here.
“Relax,” he whispers.
“You relax. Someone tried to kill me tonight.”
“Yeah, tried and failed. You’re welcome,” he says in a voice etched with annoyance.
“Thank you,” I manage to grit out between clenched teeth. Sometimes Lucky can be an asshole. Like now.
Ace stops a few feet away, furrowing his brow. “Lucky, what’s up, brother?” They fist bump and do a half-bro hug kind of thing.
Lucky blows out a long breath and runs one hand over his head. “Someone broke into the mansion tonight and tried to kill Aria.”
Kenna gasps, and Ace’s eyes widen in surprise. “Any idea who?”
I watch as Lucky nods, his gaze sliding to mine quickly before refocusing on Ace. “Yeah. He was wearing a mask, but I snatched it off, and you won’t fucking believe who it was.”
“So who was it?” Wild Man strolls up with Maven on his arm, and next comes Banger and Willow and then Letty.
“That fucking Jack Birmingham.”
“No fucking way.” Ace grunts, shaking his head in disbelief. His gaze stops on my face before I can process the name. “Why does Birmingham want you dead?”
I shrug. “How should I know? I don’t even know the guy.” Then again, I barely know who the fuck I am, so maybe this guy has a damn good reason to want me dead.
“I’m not sure that’s true.” Gia steps forward with a tablet in her hand, a frown marring her face.
“I’m not lying,” I snap, feeling as if all my worst fears are rising to the surface.
“I’m not saying that. Calm down, girlfriend.” She comes to stand beside me, shoving herself between me and Lucky. “Look at these photos. I managed to dig them up from your father’s files. They go back a few years. Anything come to mind?”
I let out a frustrated sigh and shake my head. “He doesn’t look familiar to me at all. I’m sorry. Daddy never really had friends over to visit, and he didn’t introduce me to many of his business associates. Sorry.”
“What about these names?” Gia keeps going, bringing up a list of names. “Recognize them from the company?”
I lean in and carefully examine her screen. “Yes. I’ve worked with a few of those people.” I point to familiar names. “This guy provides ammunition and aviation parts to Europe. This is a security company we do business with. And this is a, uhm, one of those document translation services.”
Shades barks a question in my direction. “What the fuck does a document translation business need with a shipping container?”
“Fuck, I don’t know,” I say. “I only do the marketing, and I’m not very good at that. Daddy didn’t give me details or anything.”
“Loose ends,” Lucky and Ace say simultaneously, which makes them feel more terrifying to me.
“Me? I’m a loose end?” My body vibrates with fear, intense and deep in my belly. Someone is seriously trying to kill me. “Un-fucking-believable.”
Ace begins to give orders. “You two will stay here. Lucky, don’t leave her fucking side. And Aria, you don’t leave the clubhouse. Got it?”
He shakes his head and glares at all the faces gawking at me. “The mansion is no longer safe.”
“Then I need to make a phone call,” I practically shout. “Where’s my phone?” I grab my purse and start digging. “Shit, I must have left it in my room.”
Lucky turns to face me, ignoring Gia still standing between us. “What’s wrong?”
Tears stream down my cheeks, but I realize I have an audience, and I swipe them away quickly, well, as much as I can, considering I’m a fucking mess.
“Frannie and Beatrice and the others. I need to warn them that the house isn’t safe. I need to, I don’t know, get them hotel rooms or something. They’re sitting ducks! I can’t let that happen.” My hands fist in Lucky’s shirt, and he looks helpless instead of angry when I blurt out, “I can’t let them get hurt.”