Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 53361 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 213(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53361 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 213(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Her head snapped toward me. “I’m your weak point?”
I didn’t answer immediately, eyes fixed on the rain-slicked road ahead. The windshield wipers beat a steady rhythm, clearing sheets of water only for them to reform an instant later.
Finally, I nodded once, the admission coming easier than I expected. “Yes.”
She fell silent again, turning to watch the rain. I needed to call Knight, to prepare the compound for our arrival. I reached for my phone, engaged the hands-free, and dialed.
Knight answered on the second ring. “You good?” He’d been on edge since we discovered the first bug.
“Ten minutes out.” I kept my eyes on the road as I spoke. “Everything secure?”
“Locked down tight. You alone?” His question carried layers of meaning.
“Got Cora with me.” Out of the corner of my eye I saw her tense beside me at the mention of her name. “She’s clean. Reeves had her plant the kitchen bug. Blackmailed her.”
A beat of silence on the line. “Figured as much. Looked like she dropped it instead of actually placing it.” Knight’s voice softened slightly. “She okay?”
I glanced at Cora again, noted the way she hugged herself, shoulders hunched as if expecting a blow. “She will be.” I slowed as we approached a flooded section of road. “Reeves fabricated evidence against her, threatening to arrest her for trafficking and prostitution if she didn’t cooperate.”
“Classic,” Knight muttered, disgust evident in his tone. “Knuckles is here. We’ll meet you in the common room.”
The call ended and silence filled the cab again, broken only by the rhythmic slap of wipers and the steady drum of the rain. Cora’s breathing had quickened slightly at the mention of Knuckles. I couldn’t blame her. Our president carried his reputation like armor, cultivated it deliberately. Most people found him intimidating even when he was trying not to be. Well, everyone but the old ladies. His wife, Hannah, saw to it the women knew he was a big softy. Yeah. He really wasn’t.
“Knight and Knuckles are waiting for us,” I said, choosing my words carefully. “They know what happened. They know you didn’t have a choice.”
She nodded mechanically, but the tension in her body didn’t ease. “Are they angry?”
“Not at you. You did nothing wrong.”
“Maybe I should have just told you.”
I thought about her statement for a moment. “I wish you’d trusted me enough to come to me, but I understand. Reeves knew exactly what to say to make you doubt everything you thought you knew about us.”
We turned onto the access road leading to the compound. Even through the rain-blurred windshield, I could make out the increased presence. Two prospects stood guard at the gate instead of the usual one, and I spotted Diesel positioned on the roof of the gatehouse, the outline of a rifle visible beside him. I knew there was at least one other patched member in the gatehouse, but I didn’t see who. Seemed Knuckles and Hawk weren’t taking chances.
The gate slid open as we approached, Griffin giving me a nod and a two-fingered salute as we passed through. I drove slowly down the main thoroughfare, noting several more brothers around the perimeter. Every face reflected the same focused vigilance. Word had spread. The compound was battening down for a storm that had nothing to do with the rain.
I parked near the main entrance, killed the engine, and turned to Cora. Her face had gone even paler, if that were possible, eyes wide as she took in the heightened security. “They’re protecting you,” I said, hoping to reassure her. “Not holding you prisoner.”
A hint of disbelief crossed her features, but she nodded again. I climbed out, circled to her side, and opened her door. The rain had slowed to a steady drizzle, cold against my skin as I held out my hand to help her down. Her fingers were like ice against my skin, trembling slightly. We walked together toward the entrance, her steps growing more hesitant as we approached the door and her shaking increased. It was easy to see the situation terrified her. For that alone I’d beat Reeves to a bloody fucking pulp.
Inside, the common room was quiet, most of the brothers giving us space. Knight and Knuckles waited near the fireplace, their expressions guarded but not hostile. Knight stood with his arms crossed, his tattooed face unreadable to most, but I caught the concern in the set of his shoulders. I handed him the other two bugs. Knight shoved them into a small box before putting them inside his office only a few feet from us.
Beside him, Knuckles looked deceptively relaxed in an armchair, one ankle resting on the opposite knee. On the low table between them lay several small objects. The listening device, now dismantled into its component parts spread out where Knight had obviously been studying them, likely discussing what he found with Knuckles.