Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 39540 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 198(@200wpm)___ 158(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39540 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 198(@200wpm)___ 158(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
* * *
Pippa
Gunnar helped me into the big-ass Humvee we’d used to get to this place. His touch was gentle as he made sure I was settled comfortably in the back seat next to him. I didn’t buckle my seat belt because, now that it had been a while since I’d been drugged and all that shit was finally getting out of my system, I was starting to feel every ache and pain I had from my extended stay in hell. I was exhausted and sore, but determined to stay awake for the drive to Mama’s house.
“It’s not far.” Gunnar put his arm around me in an awkward gesture. It was almost like he didn’t know what to do with himself. Like he wanted to touch me but was unsure how to go about it. “Just a couple minutes and you can get some decent food in you and rest.”
I nodded, giving him a small smile. “Just tired. And really looking forward to that shower.”
He chuckled, leaning in to brush a kiss against my temple. It wasn’t a gesture he seemed comfortable with but either felt like he should, or he wanted to and wasn’t sure how to go about it. “I bet. Everything’s gonna be fine. I’ll take care of everything.”
I couldn’t lie, even to myself. The idea someone had my back and would protect me until I could get my life back was comforting on an elemental level. I hadn’t had the meltdown I needed, and I knew it would come. I suppose when the time came, I’d find out exactly how serious Gunnar was about this whole old lady thing. Assuming that was like a wife or a permanent relationship. I wasn’t savvy with biker lingo. After the last month of my life in that horrible place, I wasn’t as alarmed by Gunnar inserting himself into my life as I probably should be.
As we drove, I couldn’t help sneaking glances at Gunnar. He was incredibly handsome in a very edgy, even deadly, way. With his shaggy dark hair and intense eyes, he had my attention. But more than that, there was a quiet strength about him that made me feel safe. Probably because he’d rescued me and I knew getting in and out of the place had been more of a feat than I had been able to appreciate at the time. I knew I shouldn’t trust him so quickly after everything I’d been through, but I couldn’t help it. Simply being near him made me feel safe. No matter how awkward his gestures. The man was trying. The more I thought about it, the more I kind of found it charming.
He was right about the ride. It was less than two minutes. It actually took longer for the men who brought us here to get out of the vehicle with all the crap they had on their tactical vests. Gunnar didn’t have a vest on now, but I had vague memories of being juggled around so he could shrug his vest off once we were on the road after my rescue.
We pulled up in front of a ranch-style house. It was by far the biggest in the area, and the whole compound seemed to have been built around this house and the main clubhouse where we’d met Mama. The main building was more like an older resort hotel or something. There was even a courtyard in the back. Mama’s house wasn’t far from the main building, but far enough there was room for other houses to spring up near it, making Mama and Pops -- whom I had yet to meet -- the center of the club.
“I thought you bastards would never bring that sweet girl here so she could eat and rest.” A man who looked to be a few years older than Mama exited the house and skipped down the three steps from the porch like a youngster. He had on faded jeans and a tight, white T-shirt. It had to be at least as old as Mama and, again, though his skin was aged and sun-leathered, he had firm, bulky muscle underneath. He wasn’t as big as the other men around us, but there was something in his gaze that told me he was more dangerous than he seemed. “I’ve got burgers and dogs hot off the grill with all the fixins. Best I could do in a couple of hours.”
Mama got out of the Explorer the women had come in as the man spoke. “I think that will do just fine, Pops. Can’t go wrong there.” She smiled and went to the older man. He pulled her to him with one arm and kissed the top of her head before letting her go. Mama looked up at him and gave the man a soft smile, then she came to me. “Come on, Pippa. Do you want food or a shower first?”