Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 59413 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 238(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59413 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 238(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
What is there to lose now? The question echoes in my mind, a haunting reminder of my situation. I fear what Gage will do, the unpredictable storm that follows in his wake, and I know I am risking the club being here, but I have nowhere else to go. The weight of my choices presses down on me, each step toward the clubhouse heavy with uncertainty.
The second I walk through the front gates, tears streaking my face, one of the guys calls Kael out. The air is thick with tension, the unspoken understanding that something has shifted, that my presence here is a gamble with stakes higher than I can comprehend. As Kael emerges, his eyes meet mine, and in that moment, the world narrows to just the two of us.
There’s a flicker of something in his gaze—concern, anger, maybe even understanding—and it’s enough to make my heart race, a mix of fear and relief that leaves me breathless. I’m standing on the edge, teetering between the safety of the familiar and the unknown path that lies ahead, and all I can do is hope that I’ve made the right choice.
He steps forward and his fingers carefully grip my jaw and he tips my head back. “What did he fuckin’ do?”
“He’s just being himself. But I don’t think I can handle it a second longer. He is going to want blood for me being here, so I understand if you want me to ...”
He cuts me off with a finger to my lips. “Don’t finish that sentence. You slept yet?”
I shake my head.
“Come.”
Kael leads me toward his room in large set of dorms on the compound. Not even a hint of curiosity from the other guys sitting at the chairs and tables in the middle, just a few subtle nods and coffee mug scrapes against the lounge table. I realize as I follow him through the door to his room, I’m shivering.
I’m over tired.
My head is pounding.
And my entire world just blew up.
It’s not surprising.
Kael’s room is bigger than I would have expected, with a large double bed in the middle, the blanket thrown back messily. There is a window above the bed, open and letting a soft breeze in. There is a small kitchenette to the left and a bathroom to the right. It’s quite cozy.
I watch as he walks toward a dresser, pulling it open and rummaging through. No words, just the sound of drawers sticking and sliding, and then he’s handing me a dark t-shirt. It’s his, and I can already smell him on it, making my tummy tighten and my heart weak.
This man has such a strange hold over me.
“Go shower,” he says, and gestures to the bathroom door with a jut of his chin. “Use whatever. I left a towel in there.”
I offer a small smile, going into the bathroom and closing the door. I get undressed and step in. Under the spray, I press my palms against the cheap tile and let myself cry silent, angry tears, hating how Gage’s words still fill up my head, how his actions can still hurt me so damned much.
Eventually, I get out.
I dry off then wrap a towel over my hair and tug Kael’s t-shirt down. It covers me so completely, hanging halfway down my thighs. My body aches, but I feel the faintest relief, being clean always makes me feel better. When I emerge, Kael’s already in bed, propped against a headboard that’s just a slab of wood. There’s a space beside him, clearly for me.
For a second I just stand there, towel in my hands.
He flips the blanket back. “Get in. I won’t bite.”
I am so tired, I don’t even question it. I crawl up onto the mattress and slide under, the sheets soft against my skin. Kael shifts, and then before I know it, I’m being pulled against his bare chest, my cheek flush against his skin. I stiffen, but only for a second.
“Relax, darlin’,” he murmurs. “I won’t do anythin’ you don’t ask for.”
I exhale, slowly sinking into him.
He feels incredible next to me.
I can’t remember the last time someone held me like this.
“Want to tell me what happened when you went back?” he asks, his voice low but relaxed.
“I found him in bed with two other women. I went mad at him, he accused me of sleeping with you, so I told him what happened. He lost it, threatened me, told me I am never leaving and that he will make the club wish they had never met me. I’m sorry, Kael. I should have kept my damn mouth shut.”
I expect him to be pissed. Instead, I feel the warmth of his hand settle over my stomach, his fingers tracing small circles on my flesh.
“Nobody is goin’ to touch you or the club, not here, not with us. You don’t need to worry.”