Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54817 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54817 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
I look up at King. He seems resigned, then shakes his head and walks out. I pick up my phone, dialing, waiting for someone to answer. By the fourth ring, I’m about to hang up just as someone picks up.
“Black Stone Ridge Stables.”
“I’m looking for Mr. Garcia.”
“I’m sorry. Mr. Garcia isn’t—”
“Tell him I’m calling about Grace Sutton,” I interject. I’m not about to let the woman on the phone bullshit me. She’s clearly fielding calls.
“Hold please.”
I don’t respond, but I nod—even if she can’t see me. I’m about to throw down with this Cruz Garcia. If he thinks he has a claim on Grace, he needs to think again. I also need to know what kind of deal he’s made with the Korslovas. If he has my woman in hot water, he better start enjoying the last of his days.
I’m going to end him.
6
FORD
“You’ve got about fifteen seconds to tell me who the hell you are and why you’re calling about Gracie. Time starts now.”
“I have two questions, and you better come up with some good damn answers, because if not, me and my club will be knocking down your doors today,” I growl.
“Your club?” he asks, but he doesn’t sound worried at all.
“Demon Chasers MC out of Virginia.”
“Little far away from home, aren’t you?” he laughs. The motherfucker is either stupid or has balls of steel.
“I’m in your neck of the woods visiting allies,” I supply. I don’t know why I answer. I suppose I’m willing to play along—to a point.
“Saints or Ferals?” he asks, surprising the fuck out of me. Apparently, Detective Garcia has been here long enough to know the local clubs.
“Ferals have been overtaken,” I announce, vaguely giving him an answer without verbalizing it.
“At least you’re on the better side of the coin. I’ll consider answering your questions, if you answer mine. What’s Gracie to you?”
“She’s mine,” I respond, claiming her. It’s not my fault if the woman doesn’t realize it yet. She will. She’s just too damn skittish to throw her over my shoulder and carry her to my bed. There’s no way I can do that right now. I know it. That doesn’t alter the fact that the urge to take her to bed and fuck her into accepting my claim is slamming into me with every breath I take.
“Does she know that?” he asks, mildly.
“She’s … resistant. She’ll understand soon, though.”
The bastard laughs at that. “You mean she’s as skittish as a newborn foal.”
“She’ll come around,” I respond. “Now, what kind of fucking mess did you get my woman into by brokering a deal with the Korslova assholes?”
“Gracie must trust you to let you know about that.”
“I told you she belongs to me.” I’m bluffing my ass off. I’m not about to admit that I only know because Grace was pissed off at me and scared. Doing that won’t get me the information I need to keep her safe.
“Poor girl has the uncanny ability to attract men she should stay away from. I reckon she hasn’t had good luck with anyone in her life, though. She used to say she was cursed. I’m starting to wonder if it’s true,” he muses, making me frown.
“I wouldn’t hurt her.”
“Hmm,” he hums, sounding like he doesn’t believe me.
“I won’t. I sure as hell wouldn’t have gotten her messed up with the fucking Korslovas.”
“You think I did?” he laughs. “I see what’s going on here. You got part of the information and now you’re fishing for more.”
I grunt under my breath—annoyed. “She panicked and started talking about it,” I admit, not telling him she thought I worked for those assholes. “I can’t protect her if I don’t know what’s going on. She’s too deep in her fear to talk, so you’re going to.”
“Now, I don’t know you from shit. Why would I talk to you?”
Well, fuck. What do I say to that? “You can either tell me, or I’ll work and uncover it all on my own. I have no trouble doing that, but what happens if I turn over the wrong stone and it causes someone to come after Grace?”
“You could just let it drop,” Garcia responds, his voice hardening.
“Not happening. I’m not stupid. This woman is special and I’m not leaving her alone with her and her son’s ass flapping in the wind.”
“You know about her son?”
“I do.”
“Fuck. You’re starting to annoy me, boy.”
“I haven’t been a boy in a long time, asshole.”
“Not like you’ve given me your name,” he snaps back.
“Ford.”
“Damn, so it really is your club.”
That catches my attention. I blink. “You know who I am?”
“Roanoke isn’t that far away from your part of the state.”
“I guess not. So, are you going to give me what I need to keep Grace safe, or are we done talking?”
“Since you know just enough to get us all in trouble, I guess we’ll talk.”