Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83777 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83777 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
“No.” The tears started streaming. “I didn’t ask for none of this. I didn’t do nothing. It wasn’t my fault those two assholes tried to take me.”
She was right.
None of this was her fault, but that didn’t stop it from happening. And now, we had to find a way to put an end to it. I wanted to ease her mind, but I couldn’t. I had no idea how this shit was going to play out, so I told her, “I know you’re scared, but you’re gonna be okay.”
“Yeah, right.”
“We’re going over to the clubhouse. We’ll get you a shower and some clean clothes and some shoes, and you’ll be safe there.”
While hesitant, she nodded and got to her feet. I led her out front, and she followed me out without a word. We drove to the clubhouse in silence, but I was watching her. Every time a car would pass, her eyes would dart to the windows, like she was waiting for someone to show up and drag her back.
I had a hundred questions rolling through my head, and as much as I wanted to push her for answers, I knew it wasn’t the time. She was already shaken up, and I didn’t need to make matters worse by saying something that might spook her. Besides, Shep and Grim would know how to pull information without breaking her any more than she already was.
When we pulled in, it looked like utter chaos but looks were deceiving. While rare, we’d been in situations like these before, and the brothers knew exactly what they were doing. They had prospects loading crates into the SUVs, clearing out anything that might get us heat if the wrong badge decided to poke around. They did what they were told and worked fast, quiet, and efficiently.
Preacher was waiting by the back door with Shep and Grim, and all three were stone-faced as I led Gabby inside. We didn’t waste time. After a quick introduction, we went straight to the conference room. Gabby lowered herself into one of the chairs, and Shep grimaced when he got a better look at her face and bare feet.
He knelt in front of her and kept his voice low and calm as he told her, “We’re gonna help you, Gabby. But we’re going to need you to help us sort through some things.”
“Okay.”
“So, Creed told us that a cop was asking questions about what happened to you that night?”
“Yeah. He wanted to know what happened to the guys who tried to take me.”
“Okay. Slow down a bit. I need you to tell me where he picked you up.”
Her voice was small, trembling. “Outside the gas station on Fifth. He said he’d give me a ride.”
“What’d this guy look like?” Grim asked, sounding on edge.
“Tall and kind of muscular. He had dark hair and was wearing slacks and a white shirt. He had… he had a badge.”
She kept talking, words pouring out like water through a crack. “Once I got in the car, he locked the doors and drove down this dark alley. He started asking about that night at the Vault. I told him I didn’t want to talk about that, and he started hitting me.”
She kept rambling on. But I didn’t hear anything she said. I was stuck on the description.
Tall.
Muscular.
Dark Hair.
Slacks and a white shirt.
And just like that, the pieces started clicking together and cold settled in my bones.
Maddox.
Motherfucker.
18
DEVIN
Iwas elbow-deep in laundry, my hair was up in a messy bun, and I had no plans to do anything but go to bed early and read my book when the front door swung open, and Laura appeared in my living room. She was wearing short athletic shorts and a tank top, and she was sporting a rather large bottle of wine. “You dirty little slut.”
“What?” I gasped, dropping the towel I was folding. “Why am I a dirty slut?”
“Oh, you know.” She glanced around the living room as she asked, “Where are the kids?”
“At Brian’s.”
“Good.” She charged past me with her wine and giant tote and ordered, “You. Kitchen. Now.”
“Oh God.”
“Don’t ‘oh God’ me, Devin,” she said, dropping the wine bottle and tote on the counter. “You’ve been holding out on me.”
“About what?” I asked as I reached for the glasses.
“Jameson… Creed... Whatever you call him these days.”
“Oh.”
“I can’t believe you!” I pressed my lips together, fighting a smile as I took the wine from her and started pouring. “You’ve been back with him for who knows how long, and I had to find out from your mother? I’m your best friend.”
“I was going to tell you, but...”
“But you didn’t!”
“Maybe I was trying to avoid the theatrics.”
“Don’t get smart with me.” She snatched a glass and took a big sip before sitting down on one of the stools. “Start talking and don’t leave out anything.”