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)
“When did you get here?” Cain approached Sword, and the big man winced at the look on Cain’s face.
“Uh, yeah. About that.”
“You were told in no uncertain terms to stay in your quarters. Yes?”
“I was.”
“And you deliberately disobeyed my orders.”
“I did.”
Cain sighed heavily. “I’m gettin’ too fuckin’ old for this shit.”
“Please, Cain.” Chloe walked up to the older man, laying a hand on his arm. “Don’t punish him further. He saved my life. If that bullet had hit me… It got him in the shoulder, but it would have hit my head.”
“Yeah. I noticed that, too.” Cain gave my shoulder an awkward pat. “Go to your man. The two of you can deal with Sword until Magenta takes him back.” He made eye contact with Sword again. “But you’re still on probation.”
“Didn’t expect anything less.”
Cain turned back to the Iron Tzars. “What’s the plan for her?” Cain indicated Bev.
Sting shrugged. “About the same thing that would have happened to her if she’d been with your club.”
Cain nodded. “’Bout what I thought. You gonna wait till you get home?”
“What are you talking about?” Bev was still held by Warlock. He seemed reluctant to let her go. The man had to know what was coming. Would he fight for her life? I didn’t think so. He knew it had to be done. Especially if she was in a ring trying to take down their club. Possibly ours, too.
“You know the penalty for betrayal, Bev.” Sting’s voice was quiet.
“Go on, Chloe.” I tried to express to Sword my need for him to get Chloe out of the area. I knew this was happening now. Cain would insist on it so he could make sure the body was disposed of. Not dropped off somewhere in our territory for law enforcement or some innocent bystander to find. I didn’t want Chloe to see this. Thankfully, the man understood.
“I’m kinda woozy.”
“You can’t ride a bike in this shape.”
“Take the side-by-side.” Cain nodded to the vehicle he and Daniel had ridden in. Cain had known there might be a need to get rid of a body. Or bodies. He’d come prepared. “Get him to Mama so she can take a look at that wound.”
“What’s happening?” Chloe looked up at me, her eyes wide with fear.
“Just take care of Sword. He needs you.”
“This is one of those things I don’t want to know. Isn’t it?”
“Yeah, baby.” I pulled her to me and kissed the top of her head, holding her close for several seconds before letting her go. “Go on now. I’ll come get you when this is done.”
For a moment, I didn’t think she’d do what I told her. Then she nodded, glancing once at Bev. “Goodbye, Mother.” Then she looked at me again and nodded. She helped Sword into the vehicle -- the man really was milking it -- then climbed in herself and took off. Back to the clubhouse.
I turned back to face the Tzars. Sting met my gaze. “I’m glad you sent your woman away.”
“She doesn’t need to see this.”
“See what?” Bev struggled to get away from Warlock, but the man held firm, not saying a word. “You can’t do this!”
“You know we can. You know we are.” Sting had absolutely no give to him. He checked his gun and chambered a round. “Better to get it over with than to torture you further with the ride home.”
“What? Stop it! Let me go!” Bev struggled in earnest now, trying her best to get away from the man at her back.
When Warlock let her go, I thought Sting would shoot her, but Warlock didn’t get out of the way. Instead, he turned her around to face him.
“Shh, Bev. Look at me.”
“I don’t want to look at you, you bastard!”
“But you will. You shared my bed. I gave you everything you ever wanted. Gave you more than I was prepared to give when I met you but did it willingly. The least you can do is look at me now.”
The pain in Warlock’s eyes made me wince. Bev finally looked up at him. The big man cupped her face gently in his big hands and bent to kiss her. When he lifted his head, he retained his hold on her face, gazing down into her eyes before shifting his hold slightly and wrenching her head hard to the right, snapping her neck.
The second her neck broke, her body collapsed. Warlock caught her and sank to the ground, raising his face to the sky to bellow in pain. He roared, sounding like a wounded animal. That was when I realized the man had truly loved her. I pitied him but knew I couldn’t show it.
Sting started slightly. Like he hadn’t been expecting Warlock’s actions. Then he shook his head once before meeting Cain’s stony expression with one of his own. “We can take care of this.”