Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
“Negative,” the other man said. “Just the two of them. I’ve hacked the Chevy’s computer, which led to a whole lotta shit with Black’s phone. I’d say your guy Boon is definitely setting him up for something.”
“Gettin’ us to do the dirty work,” Ringo muttered. “Don’t like it, but I can’t see anything suspicious from this angle.”
“Nothin’ inside but the two of them now,” Crush offered. “I was going to give the go ahead, Rocket.”
“I don’t want the women down there,” Rocket said. “We’ll nab the fuckers and take ‘em to that little huntin’ cabin on the edge of our territory. It’s still in the middle of nowhere, and we can do what we need to.”
“Also, plenty ‘a gators out there.” Scrub was always looking for ease of clean up. He shrugged. “Be easier to get rid of, but I can clean up wherever you decide to take care of business.”
Surprisingly, Lemon didn’t argue. “That’s our cue to get back in the truck.” Lemon urged Olivia away but she balked, looking up at me.
“Lemon’s right,” I said. “Go with her. You’ll still get your answers, but you’ll do it where I can make sure you’re safe.”
She nodded at me. “OK.” I turned to go. “Bear?” I turned back to face her. She was wringing her hands, tears glistening in her eyes. “Please be careful. Don’t…” She closed her eyes and two tears flowed down her cheeks. “Don’t get hurt. No matter what.”
I tilted my head at her, taking a step closer so we were nearly touching. “What’s wrong, honey? You’re gonna get your answers. I swear it.”
She shook her head, more tears falling. “No, Bear.” She reached out and grasped my vest in one small fist. “I don’t… I don’t think I care much anymore. Just don’t get hurt. Nothing else matters.”
“Liv, honey? What are you saying?” She trembled where I touched her, her slim body shaking even though it was hot and humid in the evening.
She stood there for several seconds, her gaze firmly locked with mine. Then she threw herself into my arms, wrapping herself around me. “I don’t care! I don’t care if I know anything! Can we just go? What if he’s ready for you and tries to kill you, Bear?” Her words were barely above a whisper, but I heard her clearly.
“I expect he probably will, honey. But I’ve got my brothers. We’ve got each other’s backs. It’s why I’d prefer you stay away until we’ve got control of the situation. Fighting a skilled enemy is one thing. Fighting a skilled enemy while protecting something very precious to you is something else entirely. I have no desire to die right when I’ve found you, so you’re staying with Lemon. Falcon and Leather will keep you safe. Then we’ll all do this together.”
“You promise me? You’ll be OK?”
I grinned at her. “Yeah, baby. I’ll be fine.” I squeezed her shoulders before turning back to Rocket and the rest of my brothers. Not for the first time I was struck at how much the club had started coming together as a family. Though I’d always known I could count on the men here to have my back if I needed them, I could never remember ever feeling more sure of them as my family than I had these last few months since Lemon came to Rocket.
Finally, Liv turned away and followed Lemon to the cage to wait on us. If all went well, it would only take a few minutes to secure both men and take them back to our territory to be questioned.
We made our way to the abandoned motel. The hole in the wall was hidden, but obvious when one knew it was there. I was careful as I entered, paying close attention to everything around me. If Boon was going to betray me, it would be the second I was fully inside.
Ringo entered behind me. We had knives instead of guns since we were so close to the city. The last thing we wanted was to bring the police straight to us. Rocket and Scrub followed.
I could hear the two men talking. Leon Black and Boon. Arguing.
I glanced back at Rocket who nodded. Ringo took the lead, kicking in the door and snagging the first man he came to. Which happened to be Black. Boon raised his hands wide and above his head. He didn’t look surprised.
“‘Bout fuckin’ time,” Boon muttered as Rocket tied his hands.
“You can tell us all about it in a bit.” Ringo said as he finished binding, gagging, and blindfolding Black. Where Black struggled, Boon stood passively as he was packaged the same as Black.
As I put a black bag over Boon’s head, he met my gaze with a steady one of his own. There was no pleading or smirking. No expression on his face at all. I knew Boon fairly well. Or had. It was years ago. He’d changed. I knew I certainly had. Trust didn’t come easily to me, and there was every possibility this was a setup. Though, for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out how.