Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 46525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 233(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 233(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
Her expression softened, and she whispered, “Same.”
That one word settled something inside me. Every time she chose to lean into me instead of pulling away, trusting my instincts instead of treating my protection like a cage, another piece of her became mine in a way that had nothing to do with sex and everything to do with love. I still wanted to get her naked, bury myself deep, and remind both of us exactly how good we were, but that had to wait for now.
I caught her wrist and pulled her into me. “You did good, baby.”
Her eyes softened. “I didn’t do much.”
“You came right to me.”
“I don’t want you in danger. And I really don’t want you blindsided by this.”
“I know.” I cupped the side of her neck, my thumb brushing the pulse jumping under her skin. Then I gave her a soft kiss before taking her hand and leading her out to the parking lot.
The ride to the compound helped burn the worst edge off my temper, though not nearly enough. Saylor stayed wrapped around me, and each time I felt her fingers flex over my stomach, I wanted to cover them with mine and keep riding until there was nothing behind us but road. That wasn’t the play, though. My brothers had a plan that made sure the Diesel Serpents learned exactly what happened when they aimed their bullshit at a Redline Kings’ woman.
When we reached the compound, I parked near the clubhouse, killed the engine, and helped her off the bike, keeping a hand at her waist until she got her balance. Then I took Saylor to my room because I needed a minute with her before my mind was filled with strategy and violence.
The second the door shut behind us, I turned to her. “I have club business to handle.”
It wasn’t an unusual explanation. She’d heard it before. But this time, it didn’t sit well with me.
And Kane had always been clear that when it came to our women, if club business touched them, they got truth where it could be given. They weren’t treated like pretty furniture while men made choices around them. Saylor knew Sutton better than any of us, and that knowledge might matter.
I blew out a breath and dragged a hand over my jaw. Then I stepped closer, lowering my voice even though we were alone. “I need to fill my brothers in on everything Sutton told you. Jax has pieces. You’ve got pieces. We put them together, we figure out what the Serpents want and how to make them regret wanting it.”
She nodded. “If there’s any way I can help, tell me.”
My first reaction was no. Not because I didn’t trust her, but the thought of pulling her deeper into the dark side of my world made something protective rise in me. Turning down her help when it could give us even more of an advantage was reckless, though.
“Maybe you can. It would mean sharing personal shit about Sutton with my brothers. Some of that may mean sharing things about you too. I don’t want you feeling cornered into that.”
“I don’t.” She straightened, the worry in her eyes hardening into resolve. “If it helps you understand what Sutton might do or what she’s already done, I’ll tell them whatever they need to know.”
I caught her chin gently between my thumb and forefinger. “You sure?”
“Yes.” Her voice softened, but her eyes stayed steady. “This threat is tied to Sutton, me, and now you. I want to help.”
I nodded, and we made our way downstairs together. When I pushed the door open to Edge’s office with Saylor at my side, Jax, Axle, Shifter, and Nitro were there too.
Edge’s eyes went to Saylor first and softened just a little. “You good?”
Saylor smiled, and pink filled her cheeks at this scary biker caring. “Yeah.”
He nodded, then asked, “Joining us?”
“Levi thought I could help.”
“She knows more about Sutton than anyone,” I explained.
Edge nodded again, his expression clearly approving.
Jax looked at us over the top of his laptop. “Good. Because your sister’s digital footprint is a dumpster fire.”
Saylor winced. “That sounds like Sutton.”
I sat on the couch and pulled Saylor onto my lap. She relaxed into me when my arm locked around her waist, and I kept one hand spread over her stomach, anchoring her against me and reminding her I was there for support.
“Tell them what you told me,” I murmured against her ear. “Start with Sutton showing up.”
Saylor nodded, then looked around the room and repeated the whole story, leaving nothing out.
Edge’s gaze cut to me. “They were aiming at your custom work.”
I nodded. “Or my bikes. Or both.”
Jax typed quickly. “Did Sutton mention names? Patches? Road names? The guy she conned?”
Saylor continued to answer their questions without a waver in her voice and a fierce expression on her beautiful face. I was so damn proud of her. But she hadn’t gotten to the ugly part yet.