Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 76396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Those were her words, not mine.
I’ve met their partners now, and oh boy, they’re all just as nice as the rest. I recall Malakai and Koda from the first night Slater came to my house, and they’re both as nice to me now as they were then. The girls are more than smitten with them, and it would appear the feeling is mutual.
Slater isn’t here yet, Malakai told me he’s fighting. Scarlett mentioned something about Lincoln running some sort of underground fighting ring as well as his garage. They make a lot of money, but they also make a lot of enemies. Also Scarlett’s words, and not mine. I did know they had something like that going on, but it isn’t my business so I like to stay out of it.
But I didn’t know Slater fought.
Why would he fight?
Money?
Anger?
Some other reason?
Charlie told me Scarlett wasn’t supposed to tell me that, so I’m not supposed to say anything. I wasn’t planning on running up to him and asking him how his fight went, but, I guess I would like to know what purpose he has for doing something like that.
And praying the answer is not me.
“Do you want another drink?” Charlie asks me.
I shake my head. “No, I’m okay still, thanks though.”
“How do you like the club?”
“I think it’s great.”
She smiles.
We’re all sitting around a fire, just talking and drinking. It’s kind of nice.
“Yeah, it really is. I wasn’t overly impressed when I first got thrown into it, but I must admit they saved my ass, so I owe them a lot,” she tells me.
“Your dad?”
She nods. “They got me out of that hell, which is why I know they’ll get you out of yours. My dad was an incredibly powerful man, so powerful he put a hit out on his own daughter. They saved me, more or less.”
Wow.
That’s...terrifying.
“That’s awful,” I say, scrunching up my nose. “Your dad is...ah...was...a truly horrible man.”
And I’d know.
That is one name I’ll never forget.
Shanks.
Benjamin Masters.
“Yeah,” she says, and her face falls just a little. “I guess we’ve both lived with the scars of Benjamin Masters, huh?”
I nod, but then smile and change the subject, “Have you and Koda been together long?”
She shakes her head. “Not really, but he’s the one, you know? I couldn’t imagine my life without him.”
That’s sweet.
And an ache in my heart reminds me that’s the kind of love I want. The kind of safety. The kind of peaceful life free of chains.
Is Slater that person for me?
Or is there someone else out there?
“How do you like working at the bakery?” Amalie asks, smiling over at me.
“I love it, though I’m mostly out back now until the danger is gone. Still, I’m learning all Erin’s secrets, so I can’t complain.”
I smile at Erin and she laughs. “Yeah, she’ll be running the show in no time. I won’t be needed, I’ll just have to come over here and stare at all these bikers all day long, wallowing until one of them snaps me up.”
Everyone laughs.
“I’m sure there are one or two who would happily snap you up,” Saskia grins, wiggling her brows. “Throw a little sass their way, and watch them come running.”
“You ladies stole all the handsome ones, it’s unfair.”
“They’re not the only men who have it going, you could always feast your eyes on the heaven sticks that just walked in,” Chantelle grins, rubbing her small baby bump, and nodding over Erin’s shoulder.
We turn and see all the Knight brothers walking into the compound. Lincoln and Slater up front, both wearing dark shirts and faded denim jeans with big heavy boots. Slater has his club jacket on. Finn and Damon are strolling in behind. Damon is laughing about something and Finn is rolling his eyes, and for a second, just a single second, I could swear I’ve seen this exact picture before.
Such a strong sense of dejavu washes over me that I don’t realize I’m staring until I blink and see Slater’s eyes locked on mine. I flush and look away quickly.
“Good lord Ellie,” Charlie breathes. “The way that man looks at you makes my knees weak.”
“Right,” Scarlett nods, wiggling her brows. “Totally swoon worthy.”
I laugh, but it’s nervous and a little school girlish.
“That Lincoln, though,” Erin says, her voice breathy. “Holy lord.”
“I have to agree with you there, girl,” Saskia nods enthusiastically, “He’s my favorite too.”
“Good lord,” Chantelle laughs. “It’s like you’re a pack of hungry toddlers and those men are candy.”
“Honey,” Saskia shrugs. “They are candy. And stop acting innocent just because you’re all married up.”
Chantelle grins, and rubs her belly again. “You’re right, back when I was cool, I would be drooling over them, too.”
Saskia laughs, and then looks to me, “Slater is on his way over here. If you want to make a quick retreat, now would be the time...”