Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 43689 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 218(@200wpm)___ 175(@250wpm)___ 146(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43689 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 218(@200wpm)___ 175(@250wpm)___ 146(@300wpm)
“Going somewhere?” Knuckles asked, his voice deceptively casual.
Tiny materialized from the other direction, his massive frame blocking any path to escape. Griffin moved in silently from behind, completing the trap. Blackheart was cornered, but the fucker didn’t look nearly as frightened as he should have.
“I was just getting some air,” Blackheart said smoothly, adjusting his grip on the duffel. “The guest quarters are a bit… stuffy.”
“Without us?” Tiny’s deep voice was menacing at the best of times. Tonight wasn’t the best of times. “Pretty sure you were given the rules and that one of them was that you were to have a babysitter at all times.”
“I hardly think stepping out for some fresh air warrants a guard.” Blackheart tried to wave off the admonishment because he hadn’t yet realized it was a threat.
“What’s in the bag there, buddy?” Griffin pointed to the duffel Blackheart still clung to like his life depended on it.
“Just some clothes I need to dispose of.”
“No problem.” Knuckles held out a hand for the bag. “I’ll take care of it. Got an industrial incinerator.”
Blackheart shifted his weight backward, away from Knuckles. “You’ll understand if I prefer to get rid of it myself.” He smiled but looked more than a little uncomfortable.
“Open the bag, Blackheart,” Knuckles snapped.
His fingers tightened on the strap. “There seems to be a misunderstanding --”
“The only misunderstanding,” Knuckles cut in, “is you thinking we wouldn’t notice you leaving your room. Or, you know, breakin’ into my fuckin’ safe.” He smiled, all teeth, a shark circling the wounded in the water. “We’ve been watching you since the moment you stepped onto our property.”
Blackheart’s composure slipped for just an instant, a flicker of calculation crossing his features before his mask slid back into place. “I can explain.”
“I fuckin’ bet you can,” I snarled, my hands curling into fists at my sides. Every instinct screamed at me to launch myself at this piece of shit, to beat him until there was nothing left of that smug face. But I held back, wanting to hear what lies he’d spin.
“Open the bag,” Knuckles repeated, his tone making it clear it wasn’t a request.
With reluctance, Blackheart unzipped the duffel, revealing the stacks of cash he’d taken from the safe. “This isn’t what it looks like.”
“Looks like you emptied out the safe,” Griffin said, moving closer. “Stealing from the men who gave you shelter. Men who only let you stay because of your daughter.”
At the mention of Ellie, something shifted in Blackheart’s expression. A calculation. Yeah. He’d just made a decision that was going to seal his fate.
“Elvira knew exactly what I was doing,” he said, his voice taking on a wounded tone that sounded rehearsed. “She gave me the combination to the safe. This was our plan all along.”
The accusation hit me like a physical blow. Even knowing he was going there, for a split second the world went dark around the edges, blood roaring in my ears. Then white-hot rage exploded through me, obliterating thought and reason.
“You lyin’ motherfucker!” I lunged forward, fists clenched, face contorted with murderous fury. I wanted nothing more than to wrap my hands around his throat and squeeze until the light left his eyes. This man, who had already hurt Ellie in ways that would take years to heal, had now tried to use her as his shield.
But before I could reach him, Knuckles intercepted me with surprising speed, catching me around the waist and hauling me backward. I fought against his grip, muscles straining as I tried to break free, my gaze never once leaving Blackheart’s. And yeah. The man really wished he could change his life choices.
“I’ll fucking kill you!” I roared, struggling against Knuckles’ iron hold. “You piece of shit! You’d throw your own daughter under the bus? After everything you’ve already done to her?”
“Chains!” Knuckles barked, tightening his grip. “Stand down!”
“I’m gonna kill that motherfucker!” I continued to fight, my vision tunneled to Blackheart’s face. The smug fucker actually looked pleased at my reaction, like he thought he’d won something by getting under my skin.
“She’s been working with me from the start,” Blackheart continued, his voice taking on a sorrowful tone that made me want to rip his tongue out. “Poor Elvira. Always so desperate for Daddy’s approval. When I contacted her about needing money, she jumped at the chance to help. Said this motorcycle club had plenty to spare and wouldn’t miss it.”
“Shut your fucking mouth,” I snarled, still straining against Knuckles’ hold. “No one here believes that shit.”
“Don’t you?” Blackheart raised an eyebrow, glancing around at the others. “Ask yourselves how a girl like Elvira ended up here, among men like you. She’s playing a role, gentlemen. The sweet, innocent victim with her Halloween obsession and her black cats. It’s all part of the act.”
Tiny took a menacing step forward, his massive frame seeming to grow even larger with rage. “You talk about your daughter like that again, and I’ll rip your arms off and beat you with them.”