Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 42479 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 142(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42479 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 142(@300wpm)
I closed the small distance between us and the stark terror in his eyes satisfied a tiny part of my blood lust. “Fuck it up, and it won’t matter who else you owe—because nobody else will get the chance to lay hands on you before I do.”
Shawn nodded, clearly understanding there was no alternative. I stepped back, allowing him room to breathe but making sure he fully understood just how close he’d come to crossing a line he’d never recover from. Edge and the others remained silent, their presence alone backing up every word I’d spoken.
“All right.” Shawn finally found his voice again, even though it trembled noticeably. “I’ll do it. I’ll turn myself in and make sure they know Riley had nothing to do with it. I swear.”
“You better,” Edge added quietly. “Because if Gauge has to come back here, it won’t be pretty. And trust me, we’ll all be coming with him.”
Shawn nodded quickly, his expression shaken as he took in the full weight of the threat. I turned away without another word, heading back toward the bikes parked behind us. The others followed silently, none of us speaking until we reached our hogs, far enough away that Shawn wouldn’t overhear.
“Think he’ll do it?” Century asked, glancing back toward the garage, his eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “Or should we prepare for the worst?”
Edge let out a soft, humorless laugh, shaking his head slightly. “I think he knows what’ll happen if he doesn’t. Gauge didn’t exactly leave a lot of room for confusion.”
“Good.” My voice was tight with lingering anger as I climbed onto my bike. “Because if he fucks this up, there won’t be any more conversation. He’ll be done. Permanently.”
I started the engine without another word, the vibrations calming some of the lingering tension in my body. As we rode back toward town, my thoughts turned back to Riley. I’d promised her protection, and nothing—especially a coward like Shawn—would ever make me break it.
16
RILEY
Iwiped my hands and straightened, rolling my shoulders with a satisfied stretch. The suspension job I’d just finished looked solid. My back popped, but the real attention-grabber was the demanding growl that came from my stomach.
I’d been craving a burrito bowl from a local place one town over all morning. I could practically taste the queso and cilantro ranch. Luckily, it was officially time for lunch.
Piston was under a hood nearby. “Hey, you seen Ryot?”
He straightened, tilting his head toward the door leading to the offices. “Yeah, he’s tied up in a meeting with a client. Might be a while. Why, what’s up?”
I shrugged. “I was gonna grab us lunch.”
Piston grinned. “I’ll let him know if he comes looking.”
“Thanks.” I flashed him a quick smile, already heading for the door.
I ordered online from my phone so it would be ready, then hopped into my Mustang. The drive was quick, but the parking lot was pretty full, so I had to snag a spot toward the back. After picking up the bags, I headed back to the car with the smell of the burrito bowls making my mouth water.
I was almost to the Mustang when three big, scary-looking guys stepped out from between two parked cars, blocking my path.
The tallest one smiled, but there was no warmth. “Riley Mercer. You’ve been a real pain in the ass for our friend Shawn.”
I took a step back, my pulse roaring in my ears. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Cute.” The one on the left chuckled. “Here’s the deal. You turn yourself in. Keep your mouth shut about everything you think you know. Or we’ll make sure you regret it.”
The third man cracked his knuckles, his eyes cold. “Clock’s ticking. Make the smart choice. We won’t be nice if we have to come back.”
I felt sick, and my hands shook so badly I nearly dropped the food. I backed up until I felt the car behind me, fumbling for the door handle.
The jerks laughed at my discomfort, and I scrambled into the Mustang, locked the doors, and peeled out of the parking lot as fast as I could. My stomach churned the whole way back to The Pit.
By the time I parked, I was barely holding it together. Luckily, I made it inside The Pit before my stomach finally rebelled.
I dropped the takeout bag on the nearest workbench and bolted for the bathroom, barely reaching the toilet before I threw up. My hands shook as I gripped the seat, the threats from those men echoing in my head.
I didn’t even hear Ryot come in until I felt his warm hand gently gathering my hair away from my face. He knelt behind me, rubbing slow circles on my back as I finished throwing up.
When I was done, he helped me stand, flushed the toilet, and handed me a damp paper towel to wipe my face.