Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 94076 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94076 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Sheriff Carter is pissed because we have a deal. We keep the dead bodies out of St. Boniface, and he looks the other way when it comes to our activities. He also receives a nice fat envelope stuffed with cash once a month, and in return he feeds us any ATF intel and other federal alerts when they cross his desk.
It’s an arrangement that suits us both.
It lets us do what we need to do without the heat of law enforcement on our backs. And he gets to live in a nice house in the rich part of town with extra play money.
“We didn’t do this,” Beast says.
“But you know who did?”
The muscle in Beast’s jaw ticks. “Not yet.”
“This better not be the start of something, Beast.”
“Not if we can help it,” he says.
“That doesn’t inspire a vote of confidence,” Sheriff Coulter snaps, running a palm across the back of his neck. “I’ve got the new fucking mayor, Sawyer Bennington, breathing down my neck, wanting me to pull crime numbers out of my damn ass, and now I’ll have to explain to him why the goddamn delivery driver of the Knights of St. Boniface settled down for an evening of self-love but ended up with a goddamn nine-millimeter slug in his skull.”
“We’ll find out who is responsible,” Beast assures him.
“Whatever that looks like, don’t let the goddamn bodies fall this side of the county line.”
“You know that’s usually how it happens,” Beast reminds him.
The Knights rarely leave evidence behind.
“The last thing I need is a goddamn biker war when the new mayor just sat down at the table.”
“We’ll contain it,” Beast assures him.
“Make sure you fucking do,” Sheriff Coulter snaps.
When Sheriff Coulter leaves, Beast and I look at each other.
“Someone is cleaning house,” I say.
Beast nods as he removes his phone from his cut. “I’m calling fucking church.”
CHAPTER 35
Ella
I’m losing my mind.
I must be.
Melting like an ice cube against him.
Silently begging him to touch me.
Kissing him.
Wanting him.
I’m losing sight of why I am here.
And it’s dangerous.
Any more fuckups and Lucretia will have you to thank for what comes next.
Remembering Luca’s words makes me shiver.
That’s why after Lars leaves, I slip into the library and walk straight to the book of fairytales.
This will be the last time I’m in the clubhouse.
This is goodbye.
Tomorrow, I won’t show up for my shift. I’ll call in sick, then I’ll take the bus to Abbottville in the next county over to visit one of my mom’s rare book dealers. And I will sell this book.
Then, I will smuggle Lucretia out of the mansion, and we’ll escape Luca for good.
I will be free.
Sad to never see Lars again.
But free.
“Now there’s someone who knows exactly what she wants to read.” The soft female voice breaks into the silence of the library.
I swing around and come face to face with a woman sitting on the couch with a baby in her arms.
Belle.
Beast’s old lady.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,” she says.
She’s sitting cross-legged, her thick blonde plait pulled over one shoulder.
I smile to hide my guilt. “I didn’t realize anyone was in here.” Then I remember this is her library. The one Beast gifted her when they were married. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. I hope I’m not trespassing.”
“Trespassing?” She laughs. “No, this library is for everyone. Not that anyone but me usually uses it.”
“It’s beautiful,” I say, looking around the lamp-lit room. “I think it’s the most beautiful room in the clubhouse.”
She smiles, then indicates the space beside her on the couch. “Come join me.”
I cross the room to where she is sitting in front of the fireplace.
“You’re new,” she says.
“Ella,” I say, sitting next to her.
“I’m Belle. And this is Lucy.”
I look at the baby stirring in her arms. “She’s adorable.”
“Thanks.” She smiles. “She’s teething, but this room seems to settle her.”
“And why wouldn’t it? There’s something special about it.”
“That’s what I told Beast when he first brought me in here.”
I think of the fierce president and wonder what he was like when he pursued her.
“It’s unusual for a biker clubhouse to have a library,” I say.
“So is having an old castle for a clubhouse, I suppose,” Belle says, patting Lucy’s back to settle her when she starts to fuss. “Apparently, when the Knights originally brought it, the library was left behind by the original owners. It sat gathering dust for decades until I came along.”
Lucy settles and falls into a contented sleep in Belle’s arms.
“Have you and Beast been married long?” I ask.
“A little over a year and a half.”
“How did you meet?”
She chuckles. “Now that’s a story. But maybe one for another day. Let’s just say when my husband knows what he wants, he goes after it.”
I can imagine it.
I’ve seen the way he looks at her. Like she is the only woman on Earth.