Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 58408 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58408 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
I stare at the empty doorway for a long time.
Fuck.
What have I gotten myself into?
So much for staying away from Knox, now I actually have to make it look like I’m fucking him because if I don’t, Ralston will end my brother’s life. What stupid sort of plan was that? I am an idiot. An actual idiot.
Now I have to tell Knox the good news.
That should be fun.
Exhaling, I pick up my phone and dial his number.
“Yeah?” he answers, voice gruff.
Fantastic, he’s pissed. Well, I did beg him not to kiss me last night, and I’m quite certain that hasn’t happened in his life before.
“We have a slight, ah, problem.”
“I’m listenin’.”
“Ralston came here. I have no choice but to work with him until I can find a way to stop this. But, ah, he had a problem with me hanging around the club, so I may, or may not, have told him that I am fucking you to get information that I can use against you so you’re forced to use your connections to release my brother.”
Dead silence.
I hold my breath, closing my eyes.
“Be there in five.”
The line goes dead.
“Fuck,” I mutter.
I move to the porch and wait for Knox to arrive. He does, his Harley rumbling down the drive in a matter of minutes. When he gets off, I can see that he’s pissed. He tosses the helmet onto the seat and stalks towards me, his jaw tight.
“What the fuck were you thinkin’ agreein’ to help that cunt.”
Jesus.
“Well, my brother’s life is on the line, so sorry if I decided family mattered enough to me.”
He glares at me. “You’re playing with fire, you’ll end up dead.”
“Not if the club helps me figure this out once and for all.”
He flinches. “You want me to ask the club I call family to risk it all to help you?”
“God, no need to be so fucking rude about it. Surely my life matters a little more than that.”
He doesn’t answer.
I glare at him.
“How the fuck do you think we’re goin’ to take Ralston Cupp down. Do you have any fuckin’ idea who he is, and who he is in bed with?”
“Well, what else would you have me do, risk my brother’s life?”
“Your brother made a choice.”
I stand, shoving him so hard in the chest he actually takes a few steps back. “Go fuck yourself. If you don’t want to help, then leave. Either way, I’m not going to let my brother die.”
He growls, low in his chest. “I’ll speak to Wolfe. Ralston gets wind of this, you’re dead.”
“No shit,” I snap. “Lucky for you, he believed my little lie. So, I guess that means from now on, you’re going to have to act like you actually like me.”
My words are harsh, but I’m angry.
He is, too.
“Might as well ask for a fuckin’ miracle. Don’t leave. I’ll speak to Wolfe.”
With that, he turns and leaves.
Well, one step forward, a million steps back.
Isn’t that always how it goes?
I CAN’T SLEEP THAT night. I lie in bed, counting the stains on the ceiling, using the slow crawl of dawn as an excuse to move my body. By sunrise, I’m up, showered, and halfway through a pot of coffee. The house is silent, and honestly, I’m not a fan.
I am just about to start cleaning for the day when a text appears on my phone. It’s from Knox. Wolfe wants to speak. Be here at 9. No later.
I type back. I’ll be there. Impeccably on time. Possibly in a pantsuit.
He doesn’t answer. I spend ten minutes glaring at my phone, just in case, but nothing.
Asshole.
You best believe if I had a pantsuit, I would be wearing it. Instead, I go with faded jeans, a loose white tank, and a pair of Converse. Then, I get myself to the club before Knox has another reason to be pissed at me.
It’s quiet when I arrive, and I am guessing by the mass of empty beer cans, half-naked women, and the smell of cigarettes in the main area, that they partied hard last night. I move towards the main bar, and when I get in, Wolfe is already sitting, a massive mug of black coffee in front of him. He looks up, not smiling, but nods to me.
Knox, Zane, Talon, and Kael are all standing around, some smoking, some drinking coffee, all of them staring at me as I walk in. I avoid Knox’s stare, really wishing I had a pantsuit just to see his expression, and go and sit on the stool beside Wolfe.
"Coffee?” Wolfe asks and gestures to the coffee pot. I pour myself a cup.
"We're gonna help you," he finally goes on, "But we're not gonna rush this. Ralston Cupp is connected. He’s smart and he’s fuckin’ dangerous. Need time to figure out how the fuck to bring him down.”