Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 104403 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 418(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104403 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 418(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Demo died three months ago. That chapter closed in the most satisfying way, but the man above him, the one pulling the strings, had vanished. No body. No arrest. No contact. Only silence. They still didn’t know his name. All they had was a fuzzy photo Zach took of a heavily tattooed man with large ear gauges and what looked like a missing finger, slipping out the back on the day they rescued Beth.
Saint wasn’t convinced it was over. More likely, the fucker lay in wait for the day the club got complacent. Then he’d come roaring back into town ready to rumble.
They weren’t taking any chances.
The club beefed up security across the board, including homes, businesses, and the clubhouse. The Handlers were prepared for whatever came their way.
That delicate gold chain around Beth’s pretty neck allowed him to sleep at night. It was pretty enough that no one questioned it, and smart enough to signal him if she needed help.
After the kidnapping, Beth went straight back to work as though nothing happened.
That was his ol’ lady. Brave didn’t begin to describe her. Neither did stubborn.
She stood near the counter, laughing, hands flying as she spoke to a family with three school-aged kids and a beautiful golden retriever. The afternoon sunlight caught in her strawberry hair, setting it ablaze. She looked so goddamn happy.
For a moment, Saint couldn’t breathe.
He thought of that warehouse. The chair. The bruises. The blood on her lips. He thought of how close he’d come to never seeing Beth in her element, surrounded by people who adored her, doing exactly what she was born to do.
She was here alive and thriving.
And Christ, she was beautiful when she won.
The rest of the event passed in the blink of an eye. Before he knew it, he was ushering the final customer out the door. He joined Beth, Screw, Gumby, and Jazz to clean and lock up. The five of them got the job done in record time.
“Well, goddamn, that was better than we could have asked for!” Screw shouted as he gathered Beth in a crushing hug.
Saint clenched his teeth and plastered a smile on his face so Beth wouldn’t see that, yes, it still fucking bothered him when another man touched her, no matter who it was or how platonic the touch. Every time, he had to resist the urge to break fingers and bust jaws.
“Should we celebrate?” Gumby asked as Screw set Beth down. “Dinner?”
Beth caught his gaze and winked. Maybe he wasn’t as good at hiding his possessive side as he thought. “Yes!” she said, grinning. “But I need to go home and shower first. I’m covered in fur.”
“Same,” Jazz said with a laugh. “How about we text you guys in an hour, and we can figure out where to eat.”
“Perfect.”
As soon as the trio left, Saint went to Beth, gathered her in his arms, and kissed the hell out of her, driving his tongue between her lips until she was soft, pliant, and whimpering.
“Whoa,” she said, blinking at him with dazed eyes. “What was that for? Not that I’m complaining.” She pressed her palms to his chest. “In fact, do it again.”
Chuckling, he kissed her quickly this time. “I’m so fucking proud of you, Beth.”
Something flickered across her face, surprise, maybe, or wonder. Like she still couldn’t quite believe someone could be proud of her just for being herself.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “That means everything to me. I’m pretty proud of myself if I’m being honest.”
“You should be.” Her confidence was so damn sexy.
Her grin grew wicked as she slid a hand down his stomach straight to his dick. “You know, it seems like you might be up for a different kind of celebrating than Screw was referring to.”
“Not sure. Knowing him, he might very well be on the same page as me.” He mock scowled as he attacked her neck, making her laugh.
“Are you always going to get jealous when he hugs me?”
“Yes, and if any other man hugs you.”
“And will you always take me home and show me who I belong to?” She tilted her head to the side, giving him full access to anything he wanted.
“You know it.”
She turned her head, meeting his lips. “So maybe we blow off dinner and spend the night having a private celebration.”
Fuck yes. “Now that sounds perfect. Let’s get the fuck outta here.”
The bell above the door jingled again, and they both turned. Saint immediately blocked Beth with his body, shielding her from whoever dared to enter after hours.
Melody stood in Beth’s shop.
Saint went still.
Of all the things that have happened tonight, Melody showing up was not on his Bingo card.
“SAINT, WHO…” BETH peered around her giant boyfriend, currently protecting her from, holy shit. “Melody?” She couldn’t have kept the shock from her face if she tried.