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)
Cain was in his office looking over a stack of papers. Data and Zora were on the couch, Zora perched on Data’s lap while the two explained what they’d found in their search of Iron Tzars MC.
“Chloe was right in that they wear the one percent patch, but that appears to refer to their methods of dealing with stuff they don’t much like. They’re vigilantes, Cain. Bounty hunters on the surface, but they deal in some really dark messes.” Data laid it out for Cain in a matter-of-fact manner. “Nothing has ever been linked to them, but there are rumors in the biker communities around them. They’ve busted up more than one small-time trafficking ring. They seem to work at policing their immediate area but have ventured out farther when there’s a need.”
“They take jobs?” Cain continued to flip through the papers on his desk.
“You mean like mercenaries? No.” Data shook his head firmly. “Any killing they do is deserved. Murderers. Child molesters. Serial killers. Serial rapists. The worst of the worst, Cain. They’ve taken out a few guys who repeatedly beat their women. Anyone they go after disappears.”
“Any indication they’re after Chloe?” When Cain looked up, he was the commander I served and followed. The commander who was ready to lead us all into battle. For my woman. If my loyalty hadn’t already been firmly with Cain, it would have been in that moment.
“Yeah.” Zora spoke softly before turning her head back to Data’s chest and rubbing her cheek against him. He kissed the top of her head before she continued. “They’re headed straight to us. Sting is personally leading his team. I don’t know if they know she’s here or if they know Sword’s her father and are coming to enlist his help. But they’re coming.”
Cain shook his head once, obviously not liking something. Probably the speed of how this was happening. As a rule, Bones was always ready for anything, but Cain didn’t like not knowing everything about an approaching enemy. “ETA?”
Data shrugged. “I’d say later this evening or tomorrow depending on if they want to case out the place. Want me to reach out to them?”
“Yes. Ask what they intend to do in our territory. If they say they’re coming for a target, tell them to give us the information and we’ll take care of it.”
“On it, Prez.” Data lifted Zora off his lap and stood. “I’ll let you know the second I hear something.”
Cain turned his attention to me. “How is she?”
I shrugged. “As well as can be expected.” I looked over my shoulder. Sure enough, Sword was right behind me. He sighed and stepped fully into the room but kept silent. “I think it all hit her. She had a good scream and cry, then passed out.” I glanced at Sword. “She still intends to leave. I’m doing my best to make her feel safe, but she has the bruises to prove otherwise.”
“Yeah.” The president scrubbed a hand over his face and turned his chair away from us. “Fuck.”
“Prez, I’m turnin’ in my Enforcer patch. Stepping down. I’ll accept whatever punishment you hand down, but I’d respectfully request you keep Magenta and the kids under the club’s protection.”
Cain spun around fast and jumped to his feet, pounding the desk once with his fist. “Motherfuck! What the fuck were you thinking, Sword?” Cain looked angrier than I’d ever seen the man. Even angrier than he had when he’d punched Sword after the incident. “Not only did you traumatize an innocent woman, but your own wife is suffering because of what you did!”
“Fully aware,” Sword said, looking down at the floor. “I hurt her as badly as I did Chloe. Brought back memories of the club she came from and her mother.”
“If El Diablo comes up here to get his daughter, I’m not standing in his way. And if he decides to take her pain out on your flesh, that’s on you. Bones will not lift a finger to stop him. Get me?”
“Noted.” Sword looked like a broken man. He was definitely punishing himself for what he’d done, and it was obvious he regretted the incident. Not that it would help him much.
“I want it understood that Chloe is under my protection now.” I’d said as much before, but I wanted Cain’s blessing with this. “She’s in my room now, and I have Goose watchin’ over her. I intend for her to stay there, though we haven’t really gotten that far. I think I’ve made a positive impression on her, though. We got off to a bit of a rocky start, but she let me hold her while she grieved. I can get her to stay willingly given enough time.” I looked at Sword. “But he’s got to be dealt with, Cain. I want to take this up in Church, with your permission.”