Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 47615 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47615 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
Knight clutched a tablet in his hand, his thumb nervously tapping against its edge. I noticed the dark circles under his eyes had deepened since I’d seen him earlier.
“Got something,” he said, voice low enough that it wouldn’t carry to the bathroom. He unlocked the tablet and handed it to me.
The screen showed grainy surveillance footage, a timestamp in the corner indicating it was from less than an hour ago. I recognized the location immediately, the far corner of the dock storage area. Abandoned shipping containers created a maze-like layout perfect for someone who didn’t want to be found.
“There.” Knight leaned over, tapping a shadowy figure moving between two containers. “Frame by frame.”
I watched as he swiped at the screen to show me what he wanted me to focus on. I watched the sequence unfold. The figure moved with a distinctive, slightly hunched posture that sent an unwelcome shiver of recognition down my spine. Another swipe, and the man turned slightly toward the camera. Though his face was partially obscured by a ball cap, the sharp, rat-like profile was unmistakable.
Rat Man.
My jaw clenched so hard I heard my teeth grind. Every muscle in my body tensed, a familiar coil of anger and something dangerously close to fear tightening in my gut. My knuckles whitened around the edges of the tablet.
Knight noticed the shift immediately. “What is it?” he asked, studying my face. “More than just seeing him, I mean.”
I set the tablet down carefully, fighting the urge to smash it against the wall. “It’s complicated.”
“Usually is.” Knight didn’t push, just waited with that unnerving patience of his.
The shower shut off in the bathroom. I glanced toward the closed door, then back at Knight. “I was barely seventeen when I fell in with Rat Man’s crew,” I said finally, keeping my voice low. “Just a dumb kid looking for somewhere to belong.” Knight nodded, no judgment in his strange, tattooed eyes. “Rat Man took me in. Gave me a place to crash, food, protection.” I ran a hand over my face, the memories bitter on my tongue. “Made me feel like I was part of something. Family, he called it.”
“And by the time you realized what kind of family, you were in too deep,” Knight finished for me.
I nodded, something tight easing in my chest at his understanding. “They don’t exactly hand out resignation forms. First time I tried to walk away, Rat Man had two of his guys hold me down while he broke three of my fingers.” I flexed my left hand unconsciously. Though I’d managed to straighten them out, mostly, the old injury still ached from time to time. “Said it was because he cared. Couldn’t let family just walk away.”
Knight’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Then you went inside.”
“Yeah. Then I went inside. Thought I was free of him. But guys like that…” I trailed off.
“They don’t let go easy,” Knight finished.
“No. They don’t. If it hadn’t been for Knuckles, they’d have made it hell on me on the inside.” I cleared my throat, needing to purge this emotion before it dulled my wits. “Ada’s helping Hannah and Violet move supplies from Haven this morning.”
Knight nodded. “Truck’s supposed to be there at nine. Tiny’s driving.”
My stomach knotted at the thought of Ada leaving the compound with Rat Man lurking so close to our territory. I grabbed my cut, shrugging it on with quick, jerky movements. “I’m going too.”
Knight agreed. “Another set of eyes and hands is always welcome.”
The bathroom door opened, and Ada emerged wrapped in a towel, her hair damp around her shoulders. She stopped short when she saw Knight, but recovered quickly, offering a casual wave.
“Morning, bro. Didn’t know you were here.” She glanced between us, immediately picking up on the tension. “What’s happened?”
Knight and I exchanged a look. I didn’t want to worry her but keeping her in the dark could be dangerous.
“Knight thinks he’s figured out where Rat Man’s holed up,” I said, deciding honesty was the safest route.
Ada’s expression tightened, but she nodded. “All the more reason to get everything out quickly.” She disappeared back into the bathroom, emerging moments later in jeans and a T-shirt, her wet hair twisted up in a messy bun. “I’m ready when you are.”
The simple bravery in her voice made something in my chest ache. She wasn’t cowering or asking to be protected. She was rolling up her sleeves and facing the danger head-on. It made me all the more determined to make sure nothing happened to her.
“I’ll keep an eye on everyone,” Knight said, already texting as he headed for the door. “Got a couple of the brothers going to escort you and Tiny. They’ll take a look around the area at Haven while you guys are loading up.”
“You guys ready?” Ada snagged her backpack and slung it over her shoulder.