Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 74655 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74655 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
But even then, I don’t turn back.
More fearful for myself than for the poor innocent girl in the basement.
Monster.
Just like him.
Just like he always wanted.
-17-
NOW – CHARLIE
“We found the address and matched it to the description you gave us for Slater,” Malakai tells me when I get back to the cabin after my talk with Scarlett.
“You did?” I ask, heart pounding.
If I’m wrong about this, if Slater isn’t really against my father, then I could end up dead, because the clubs involvement will become clear and everyone could go down, including me. And these people, they’ve become somewhat like family to me. The idea of losing them because of incorrect information makes me more than anxious.
Hell, Slater might not even have anything to do with my father anymore. He might have finally broken free and gotten away, though I’m guessing that isn’t the case. He worked too closely to it all. I don’t see it being something that he could just walk away from. Hell, nobody just walks away from Benjamin Masters. Once you’re in with him, even behind bars, he makes sure you stay that way.
“Okay,” I say, rubbing my arms and avoiding Koda, who is staring right at me. His eyes intense. I don’t know what he’s trying to see but he’s not going to get any further answers from me.
He wants them. I know he does. They all do.
The further they dig, the more they want to know about my father and the operation he runs. I’ll give them what they need to know.
But to Koda, I won’t give a thing.
Not right now.
Not until he shows me something in return.
“You sure you’re okay to come?” Malakai asks, studying me.
I swallow, because I’m nervous. Like I said, if I’m wrong and Slater actually is loyal to my father, he’s going to likely give information and they’ll find me a whole lot quicker. That scares me. So bad. But, it’s the only chance we have, and I’m not going to live in fear like this forever.
And the club doesn’t deserve to, either.
“Yes. If I’m right, I’ll be the only one he would even consider speaking to. I know the kind of business my father runs, I know what the consequences are if Slater was to get caught. I have to ask, and I’m sure he will, too. What’s in it for him?”
Malakai looks to Koda, then to Maverick, and then to me. “Freedom. I’ll make sure of it.”
I smile, warmly. “That’s kind. Thank you.”
“He helps us, we help him. That’s how we roll. Speakin’ of rollin’, let’s get goin’. We need to go and speak to him.”
“The disguise,” Scarlett says, coming out of the cabin with a bag in her hand. “I have all kinds of things that I use on tour. All kinds. Here.” She pulls out a brunette wig and hands it to me. I stare at it, then at her.
“Seriously?”
She raises her brows. “Yes, seriously. We can’t risk you getting caught. Trust me. Put it on, it’s real, and it’s super comfy.”
I scowl at the wig, and the little sock looking thing she gives me to put on my head. I lean down and bunch my hair up, pulling the little sock over my head. I no doubt look terrible, but whatever. I take the wig and pull it on, letting the thick brown waves flow over my shoulders, then I look to Scarlett. Her eyes widen. “Dang, girl. I thought you looked hot as a red head, but you look super smokin’ as a brunette, too.”
“Fuck yeah,” Maverick mutters. “Nice.”
I flush and glance at Koda, who is staring at me with an expression that makes me want to jump his bones. God, why does he have to look so incredibly gorgeous, and be such a dick?
“Glasses, a scarf.” Scarlett smiles, throwing two more items at me.
I pull on the sunglasses and wrap the scarf around my neck. Then I put my hands out to the side. “Well? What do you think?”
“You’re a new woman.” She claps. “It’s not fool proof, but better to be a little safe than very sorry.”
She’s right about that.
“Okay, let’s get moving,” Malakai says. “Koda, you ride with us.”
We make our way to Malakai’s truck and climb in. I get in the back, thankful the windows are really tinted. Then we start making our way into town. It’s been a while since I’ve been in here, well, okay, it hasn’t been that long, but with everything that has happened, it sure feels like it. Butterflies flutter around in my stomach at the sheer thought of this going wrong.
I try not to think too much on it and just zone out. Malakai and Koda chat in the front, and every now and then they glance at me in the rearview mirror. They know I’m nervous, but what they don’t know is that I’m not only nervous but terrified. I’m terrified of making the wrong call and putting the whole club in danger.