Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 37111 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 186(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37111 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 186(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
I shrugged. “Apology accepted. Now. If you’ll excuse me.” I started back down the hall, trying to be flippant about the whole thing when I was really starting to tremble in fright. He might be sorry now, but I was betting it was more for whatever reason he was sitting outside in the hallway than because of what he’d done to me. The last thing I wanted to happen was for him to see how badly he frightened me.
“Chloe, please.” Sword kept trying to engage me when all I wanted to do was get the hell out of there.
“It was a stupid idea for me to go roaming around without Deadeye,” I muttered.
“No.” Sword’s voice was firm. Adamant. “I know I didn’t exactly give you the impression you were safe here, and you have every right to hate me. But don’t let my actions color your view of Bones. We’re not bad people. No one here would ever hurt you. I should never have hurt you, and I’ll pay for it later. I deserve everything I’ve got coming.”
I wanted to confront him. Wanted to tell him that, yes, he damned well deserved whatever punishment he was expecting. But I just wanted to get back to the relative safety of the Deadeye’s room.
“It’s fine. Really.” I waved him off. “But I’m tired. Deadeye suggested I take a nap. I should have done that instead of venturing out on my own.”
“At least let me walk you back.” Sword looked really upset. Like he knew he’d fucked up and had no idea how to make it right. Well, he’d be right. I didn’t know how he could make it right either.
I shrugged. “It’s a free country. Can’t stop you from walking.”
Thankfully, it wasn’t very far to Deadeye’s room. I reached for the door, but Sword got there first. He opened the door, then stepped back to allow me to enter. “If you need anything, I’ll be out here.” He hiked a thumb, pointing down the hall. “Makin’ sure the club girls leave you alone.”
I didn’t acknowledge him. I just wanted to be away from him. Shutting the door, I turned and put my back against it, sliding down the wood to sit on the floor. Now that there was a safe barrier between us, I trembled, my breath coming in little pants. I’d tried to put up a good face, but the man scared the bejesus out of me. And this man was supposed to be my father? I had no idea what I’d walked into, but I had a feeling I’d better be figuring out a way to leave. Sooner rather than later.
Chapter Three
Deadeye
“Gonna be a bad one,” Data said as he toggled from one screen to the next. Each held some kind of weather radar from different sources. “Definitely severe thunderstorms if not tornadoes. Not exactly the season for it, but the weather’s been wonky this year. This is going to be a cross between an ice storm and a severe thunderstorm. Wouldn’t surprise me to see a tornado outta this motherfucker, rare as they are.” He looked up at Cain. “I’d feel better if everyone spent the next few hours in the basement. Or at least on the ground floor. This storm’s got everything. Rain. Snow. Ice. Wind. Even lightning.”
“How many people in the compound or on the grounds?” Cain kept his gaze steady on Data as he tried to get all the information he needed before making a decision.
“More than fifty counting club girls. Most of the members are in the clubhouse. The ones with families not living in the main building are in their assigned houses in the neighborhood. They all have basements.”
“Good. I want everyone in the clubhouse to go to the basement. No exceptions. It’ll be crowded, but there should be enough room. How much time before it starts?”
Data shrugged. “Give or take an hour.”
“Good. Anyone who doesn’t want to follow orders needs to leave the grounds now and get to whatever shelter they want. Members staying in their houses need to make sure their families head to the basement until the storm’s passed.”
“Looking like, once it hits, it’ll stick around for several hours. Maybe until morning. Big-ass system, Cain.”
“Until morning, then. Get it done.”
Data sent out a mass text alert. Soon, cell phones began to beep and buzz all over the common room. I headed up the stairs to my room to collect Chloe. Goose had been shadowing me since I got to Data’s command center, staying out of sight, but I knew the man was there. He’d watch our backs until I gave him the all clear. I’d put him on Chloe when I wasn’t with her. Anything seemed out of place, he’d take care of it. This wasn’t how I wanted to spend my first night with her, but I wanted her safe. If that meant huddling with her in the basement surrounded by my brothers, I’d see what I could do to make that time more interesting.