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)
He laughs, a hollow and broken sound. “I’m asking.”
I want to tell him it’s too late, that he tore up everything that mattered and left me bleeding the floor. But all that comes out is my own laugh, so pathetic it sounds fake, even to me.
He closes the gap between our lips again, softer this time. For a brief second the world feels warm, and I fight to push back the memories of the man who saved my life all those years ago.
“Don’t do it, Sable,” he whispers, forehead pressed to mine. “Don’t make me live a life without you.”
I know he’ll never say it. Not the words I need. But his eyes say it, in the only language he’s ever spoken, anger, need, regret. God, it hurts. It fucking hurts.
He lets me go, stepping back. “I won’t let you go. Do you hear me?”
Then he walks away, boots crunching, leaving the air electrified and empty.
I stand there, back to the wall, the taste of him still on my lips. I am fighting a war within myself not to go after him. I want to, but I don’t.
I stumble forward, hands shaking, and step out of the alley. I am fighting tears.
Mera and Nia see me the moment I step out, and the second I lock eyes with them, I lose it.
The tears flow hot and heavy, and they’re with me in a second, arms wrapped around me.
“It’s okay, we’re here.”
I know they are, but the question is ... am I?
10
We make it back to the clubhouse in one piece but my mind is twisted and confused. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know where to go from here. Gage’s words linger in my mind, repeating over and over again, and the look on his face haunts me. I know he’s desperate, I know that, but it doesn’t mean seeing the pain in his eyes doesn’t bother me.
It does.
I know going back will only result in things going back to the way they were, even if he tries to change, it will only be for a while.
We both deserve better, I know that.
The club members aren’t here, so the compound is quiet. I picked up a couple of clothes for myself in town, so I go into Kael’s room, take a shower, and freshen up. Just as I’m finishing, I hear the rumble of the motorbikes returning. Brushing my hair, I leave it out as I walk into the warm sunny day.
I know something is wrong right away.
Wolfe gets off his bike and sends it, the large machine toppling down into the dust as he roars with frustration.
Oh no.
My eyes search for Kael as a group of old ladies come rushing out, Mera and Nia included.
Kael gets off his bike, and even from here, I can see he is covered in blood.
My heart lurches.
I run.
Kael’s got a limp, blood splattered along his jaw and down the front of his white tee. It’s not his blood—I know by the way he moves; he isn’t injured enough for that amount of blood. No, that belongs to someone else, and judging by Wolfe’s reaction, it is one of their men.
He catches me before I can reach him, his arms squeezing hard enough to send the air in my lungs rushing out. For a beat he just holds on. He shakes. I don’t say a thing. The yard’s full of raised voices. Wolfe is barking orders, and Mera stands by his side, her eyes wide as she watches him unravel.
“Jesus Christ,” I whisper, stepping back. “What happened?”
Kael breathes in through his nose, slow. “Ambush. The old stretch pass where we always run lookout. They were waitin’, Sable. Waitin’ for us.”
My heart sinks. “Who?”
He looks over my head, eyes darting. “Don’t know. Masks, but—” He stops. “Lost Carter and Potts. Didn’t even get a shot off. Blood fuckin’ everywhere.”
The silence that follows is heavier than the noise. I search Kael’s face for something, anything, but he is shut off. Before he can say anything else, Wolfe is striding over. His boots kicking up dust with every step. “Was this your old man?”
I blink, shaking my head. “What?”
“Was this,” he grinds out, “your fuckin’ old man?”
“No,” I say, quickly.
All eyes are on me.
“How the fuck could you know that?”
I stare at Mera and she looks at me, helpless, knowing I have to tell them that I was with Gage, and in doing that, it will make me look not only like a traitor but it will hurt Kael.
“Answer me,” Wolfe growls.
Heat rises up my neck. “It wasn’t Gage. He was—he was with me.” The words taste bitter on my tongue.
Kael’s whole body locks up. Wolfe’s face flashes with a mix of rage and confusion.
“He was with you?” Kael repeats, slow.
I open my mouth, then close it again. I don’t know what to say that won’t make this worse. I don’t even know why I want to make it better.