Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 34282 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34282 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
“Thank you, Ms. Jezebel. You’re always so nice.”
“Honey, I’m only nice because you’re even nicer. Ask anyone. I’m a badass.” The older woman lifted her chin and gave Jerrica a cocky smirk, looking so much like all the men in the club I nearly burst out laughing myself. Jerrica laughed and ran back to the other women, throwing her arms around Jezebel.
“You’re almost as wonderful as my sister.” Jerrica’s comment was so soft I almost didn’t hear it.
“High praise indeed. Iris is a remarkable woman. I’ve gotten to know her over the last few months. I see why you love her so much.”
Jerrica looked back at me. “She’s the best big sister in the world.”
“You’re the best little sister in the world.” I grinned at her, trying to hold back my tears. “Go on. Get your shower so you can join the group.”
Clover snagged Jerrica’s hand again and led the way to the bathroom. Clearly the girl wanted Jerrica at that table with the others.
Once the door was closed, a hand landed gently on my shoulder. I looked back to find Sting right behind me. I knew he’d been there the whole time, but he’d allowed us to enter into the group in our own way. I doubt many men would have had the foresight for such a thing, but I was beginning to realize Sting wasn’t an ordinary man.
“She’ll need to be seen by the doc. Just like the others.” His voice was gentle. I knew he was right, but I wanted to put it off as long as possible. I didn’t want her to have to relive this any more than she had to.
“I know. I wanted her to feel normal for a while.”
“Honey.” Jezebel came to me and urged me and Sting out of the immediate vicinity. Once we were in the kitchen area, she spoke in hushed tones. “You know she’s never going to be normal again. Right? We have no idea what happened to her yet, but we know what they were setting her up for.”
“I probably shouldn’t have suggested she shower. But after so long, I doubt they’d be able to collect DNA anyway.”
“That’s not something you need to worry about, Iris.” Now, Jezebel had the look on her face I’d seen the men have. She was readying herself for battle. “DNA isn’t going to make a damned bit of difference.”
“But, won’t the court need it when we go to trial?”
I looked from Jezebel to Sting and back. They gave each other a grim look. Jezebel was the one to speak.
“There isn’t going to be a trial, Iris. And I think you know that.”
I sighed. “Yeah. Sorry.”
“As long as you realize what’s happening.” Sting framed my face with his hands. “No one hurts my girls and gets away with it. Even if you weren’t my girls when they took her, you are now.”
“El Diablo doesn’t let human traffickers live long in his territory,” Jezebel said softly. “These guys were dead the second he found out they were in his area. Preying on those he considers his.”
“What about Mr. Brown?” The sudden thought about the man who was supposed to protect all these girls nearly made me see red. My vision tunneled as my anger spiked. All I could see was his face as he callously told me he’d sent Jerrica off with strangers. There’s no way he didn’t know what he was doing.
“Iris? Take a breath.” Strong arms lifted me. I thought I might need to fight someone off, but that comforting scent of masculine sweat and gasoline surrounded me, and I relaxed. And the tears came. “Come on, Iris. Breathe. In and out, baby. In and out.”
“I’ll get Fury.” That was Jezebel.
I sucked in a breath. Then another one. “Sting…”
“I’m here, little hellcat. I’ve gotcha.”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” Now that I’d broken through the panic, I trembled in Sting’s arms. Looking up into his face, I saw nothing but understanding and a hint of satisfaction. That look finally broke through the rage and fear consuming me. I knew I’d probably made a fool out of myself so I tried to scramble out of his arms.
“No need to be sorry. That’s what I’m here for.” He kissed the top of my head. “You good?”
“No! I’m not good! Sting, Mr. Brown is still at the home. What if he’s planning on sending more girls away? He got three out after Jerrica, and no one even questioned him!”
“Relax, baby. Black Reign has something going with him. I ain’t in their club, so I don’t need to know about that. But he’s not gonna hurt anyone else again.”
“You promise?” I needed the reassurance even as my mind shied away from what would happen to the director of the home my sister and I had lived in for years. I didn’t want that bastard free, but I wasn’t sure I was ready to say I wanted him dead.