Total pages in book: 168
Estimated words: 169013 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 845(@200wpm)___ 676(@250wpm)___ 563(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 169013 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 845(@200wpm)___ 676(@250wpm)___ 563(@300wpm)
He knew what it cost me.
The wounds that had been gouged and gashed into my being.
I shoved it all back down where it belonged, refusing the flashes of memories that wanted to inundate my mind, then I shifted forward in my seat when we suddenly broke out of the woods.
A town was sprawled out below. Nestled in a little valley up high on the mountain.
The single two-lane road ran right through the middle of it.
We passed by a sign that read:
Now entering Crimson Creek
Est 1832
It was a lovely little town with quaint buildings painted soft white with colorful accents. Some roofs were spired, others flat or pitched.
A mishmash of shapes and sizes and styles.
The sidewalks were brick and had these gorgeous planters with flowering shrubs situated in front of the shops and restaurants.
It looked like a place I’d love to visit if it didn’t feel like I was being marched to my execution.
Dereck drove directly through then made a left at the end of the main drag onto another two-lane road that wound up a hill.
On either side of us were family neighborhoods with small homes sheltered in the trees.
About a mile farther, the road curved to the right and the houses gave way to industrial buildings.
A cement business and a scrap yard.
A roofing company and a two-story building with what looked like commercial offices.
My brother’s agitation amplified as what appeared to be a freshly painted sign came into view.
Torque & Talon Autobody Shop
He slowed and took the left turn into the lot, easing his car through a big iron gate that sat wide open. The entire place was surrounded by these massive walls that made it feel like we were entering some kind of fortress.
There were a few automobiles sprinkled about the edges of the lot, and an enormous metal building sat in front of us. It had a lobby door on the right and four bays to work on cars on the left.
But it was the men leaning against the wall that sent my stomach toppling to my feet.
Two giants slung casually against the wall like they were simply waiting on their prey to slink right on by so they could reach out and nab it.
Both wearing coveralls that were unzipped and rolled down to the waist. White tees that had seen far better days underneath.
The thin fabric stretched over their muscled frames, and tattoos covered every inch of exposed flesh.
There was just something about the look that sent my attention racing.
Calculating as Dereck came to a stop in front of them.
Motorcycles.
There was a row of them on the left side of the building.
All glinting metal and dark leather and bad intentions.
It didn’t take a whole lot to add it up.
Rage boiled to the surface.
I whirled toward Dereck, and I let the disgust pour from my mouth. “Bikers? Are you freaking kidding me, Dereck? Great. Just freaking great. I don’t know what the hell you’ve gotten yourself into, but this is—”
“They’re good guys, Brinley,” Dereck gritted, cutting me off, his knuckles white as he clamped down on the steering wheel.
“Oh, I’m sure they’re law-abiding, upstanding citizens.”
Panicked terror flickered inside me. Rather than succumb to it, I let the anger flood it. Gasoline tossed on a live wire.
“If you think for one second I’m gonna allow myself to get passed around like some kind of meat, then you have another thing coming. Because I can assure you that’s not going to happen.”
“I already told you, no one will touch you here.” It was close to a growl.
“You’re damn right they won’t.”
Incited by the fury, I tossed open the door and jumped out.
I ran smack into a wall of heat, basically giving myself whiplash as I slammed into the intensity.
A stark intensity slammed into me and kicked my heart into overdrive.
The offender?
The guy on the left who had pushed from the wall.
He had that type of energy.
Casually cool but far too keen.
Laid-back but oozing a ferocity that warned you’d do well not to mess with him.
In a flash, I knew he was king.
“You.”
Crap. Had I just seethed that out loud? It probably wasn’t the best move.
But damn it, he needed to know I wasn’t about to go along with whatever he was up to.
Wasn’t about to stand for however he was planning on manipulating my brother. However he was going to use me against him.
Or maybe his only intention was to use me to punish him.
Not gonna happen, buddy.
“Me?” He basically mouthed it, like he was confused by the accusation.
“Yes, you.” I let the words drop like stones.
The man beside him, who was this hulking heap of muscle, chuckled as he lifted a beer bottle and drained the golden fluid, wryness flitting through every grooved line of his features as he mumbled, “Told you so.”
The king only smirked like the two of them were sharing an inside joke.