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)
It was all I could take.
I snapped.
Surging forward with the intent of tearing the fucker apart with my bare hands, but Trevan grabbed me by the elbow and dragged me back just as the creep yanked Brinley all the way out the front door.
The two of them were swallowed by the swell of gleaming sun before the door swung shut behind them.
Fury combusted, a deafening roar in my ears.
Wildfire.
Wildfire.
“What the fuck?” I snarled, trying to break out of Trevan’s hold.
“Just wait,” he gritted.
I thrashed, and he tightened his hold. “Trust me, brother, wait.”
That was right when a single gunshot rang out, followed by an ear-splitting scream out of Brinley.
It pierced my chest like a flaming arrow.
That was right when Trevan released me, and I went barreling through the lobby, shoving through my guys and out into the glaring light.
Brinley was on the ground, her knees and hands scraping the gravel as she dragged herself back in my direction.
Juts of horror and disbelief hurled from her quivering, mortified mouth.
Locks of autumn-spun hair wild and disheveled around her stunning face.
An indecipherable emotion rose up in me as I watched the agony and determination rip through her distinct, unforgettable features.
Brinley Webber looked like she was crawling out of a pit.
Rising from the ashes.
Bastard was on the ground howling, holding onto his upper thigh where he’d clearly been hit.
Brody stood thirty feet away, his gun hanging limply at his side.
The playful cockiness he normally wore was covered by the murderous viciousness that contorted his face.
The same as it had done when that pile of garbage PJ had shown up here.
My spirit twined in both regret and praise, sure that he had been the one who’d taken the shot. The one who’d saved Brinley.
Four Crows raced to the sleaze on the ground and hauled him up by both arms.
I barely even registered him fighting them since all my attention was locked on Brinley.
Brinley who was clamoring for me.
I went running her way.
Scooping her off the ground and into my arms.
Relief slammed me so hard I could barely stand.
“I’ve got you. I’ve got you. You’re okay. I’ve got you,” I mumbled into her hair.
A sob hitched from her throat, and she locked her arms around my neck as I carried her back toward the lobby door.
Trevan stood outside it, eyeing me firm and fierce.
I lifted my chin at him.
An unspoken thank you.
Because he fucking knew what was going down in the middle of the mayhem. He knew my men had it covered and would easily take the fucker down without putting anyone in unnecessary danger, when I had let myself lose sight.
Willing to run headlong into the fire.
Without a plan or foresight.
So fucking reckless and wrong.
But that seemed to be exactly what this woman was doing to me.
Making me reckless.
Angling toward things I shouldn’t touch. Wanting things that I sure as hell couldn’t keep.
He gave a quick flick of his head toward the asshole that the guys were dragging in the direction of the clubhouse.
A silent promise that the swine would be ready for me when I was ready to deal with him.
And deal with him I would.
But right then the only thing that mattered was Brinley.
Brinley who was shaking in my hold.
A fist of rage threatened to crush my breastbone, fury and violence still hot on my hands.
Fuck.
What I wouldn’t give to hop on my bike and destroy the beast who had set this into motion. Turn around and end anything or anyone who would threaten to do her harm.
Say fuck it to the whole plan and end him myself.
But I couldn’t let her go, either.
Couldn’t do anything but carry her back into the lobby and around the counter where I carefully settled her onto the desk.
She gasped and choked, hands still clinging to my neck as I inched back so I could take her in.
Almost dropped to my knees when she tipped her face toward me.
Tears soaked her cheeks.
Confusion and dread and terror toiling in those harvest eyes.
I gripped her by each side of the jaw, trying to wipe away the stains like it might be enough to erase the intent that had been perpetuated today.
“Are you hurt? Did he get you anywhere else?” With my thumb, I swept up the trickle of blood from her neck.
“No.” She gulped, and she squeezed her eyes closed for a beat, like she was trying to bring herself back to reality.
Problem was, this was her reality.
I hated it.
Hated that this nightmare was real.
Hated that she had been sucked into her brother’s mess and that I was a twisted part of it.
“You’re okay. You’re okay,” I rumbled again.
Trying to make it true.
Wishing I had the power to take it away.
That I could make it better.
That I could be better.
“Am I?” Brinley basically begged as she gripped onto my wrists. “Am I really okay?”