Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 78487 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78487 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
“You don’t want a cup of coffee?” Dolly asks.
Every cell in my body screams for one. But these two need to talk and going by Roxy’s distrust toward me, it’ll be better if I’m not there. Coffee will have to wait.
Besides, I have a sudden urge to slide my arms around Ares and hold him close.
“I should see where Ares is,” I say.
As they begin to walk away, Roxy gives me a small, unsure smile. “Thanks.”
Dolly looks over her shoulder and gives me a wink. “I think you’re going to fit in well around here.”
ARES
Forensic floodlights illuminate the body. Half-submerged in water, it has been lying in situ for days. Animal and insect activity have had their way, and it isn’t a pretty sight.
“The medical examiner is putting death at five days ago,” Pinkwater tells us.
Twilight has settled over the river, and the crickets and frogs sing into the dying light. The foul odor of decomposition hangs heavily in the air.
“Do you have an ID?” Jack asks.
“We found his wallet in his back pocket. His license identifies him as Walter Hamilton of Redwood Town. His wife reported him missing two days ago.”
Despite the loss of skin on the victim’s face, I can make out the word WRATH carved into his forehead.
“He’s been dead five days, but she only reported him missing two days ago?” I ask.
“Apparently, Walter doesn’t mind a drink, and when he goes for one, it’s not unusual for him to be gone a few days.” He grimaces, the smell getting to him. “Apparently, Walter doesn’t mind laying into his wife, either. He’s got an ugly temper and a string of domestic assault charges.”
“That explains the use of wrath,” Jack says.
Mud sucks at our boots as we walk along the riverbank back to the parking lot.
“What is the organized crime connection?” I ask.
“Walter is a bouncer and sometime bodyguard for the Sullivans.”
“That’s the second association of the Sullivans to be taken out by the Three. Are we sure the others aren’t associated with them also, and this is the Sullivans cleaning house?”
“No, I had my deputies do thorough background checks on all the victims.”
Walking toward our bikes, Jack glances back toward the body further up the river. “How many sins are we up to now?”
“So far they’ve used lust, greed, sloth, and now wrath,” Pinkwater replies.
“That leaves gluttony, envy, and pride,” I count.
“They’re escalating.”
“It also tells us something else,” I add.
“What?”
“That they’re here.”
I ride away from the crime scene with a bad feeling in my gut. I don’t return to the clubhouse with my club brothers. Instead, I keep riding through the golden dusk until I arrive at Rory’s apartment. She hears my bike coming and is waiting for me at the door. When I climb the stairs and reach her, she jumps into my arms and kisses me.
And in that second, I know my heart is done for.
While Rory fixes us a drink, I shower to get the stench of death off me
Afterward, I join her on the terrace, and we sit under the stars.
“I’ve never seen your neighbors,” I say as she hands me a whiskey.
“And you won’t. According to the realtor, one of them spends the summer in Florida, and the other spends more time in his cabin. Julie, who lives across the hall, she’s a nurse and works nights. I’ve been here a month, and I’ve only seen her twice. And whoever is in the apartment next to her is either a vampire or it’s empty.” She sips her drink and then puts it down. “Have you ever thought about moving out on your own?”
“Leave the clubhouse, you mean?”
“Yeah.”
“Never thought about it. They’re my family now.”
She scoffs. “I couldn’t wait to get away from my family. What happened to your Uncle Frankie?”
“He died when I was in prison. Throat cancer.”
“I’m sorry,” she says softly. “And your father?”
“He can rot in hell for all I care. He turned his back on me the day I was born and every day after. I don’t know if he’s alive or dead.”
Sensing my mood change, she climbs onto my lap and slides her thighs on either side of my hips. My cock thickens in appreciation.
“Sometimes the people who are supposed to love us the most end up being the source of our greatest pain.” She brushes a finger across the slight cleft in my chin. “I’m sorry he was cruel to you. You deserved better.”
When I smile, she leans in and slides her tongue into my mouth. Reaching between us, she unzips me.
“You’re a hungry little one tonight,” I say with a chuckle.
“Are you complaining?” she asks, springing me free.
“Fucking never.”
With a bit of adjustment, her hand wraps around the base of my cock, and I groan.
“I want you while I’ve got you.”
“What do you mean?” I rasp because now she’s stroking me.