Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 117494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 587(@200wpm)___ 470(@250wpm)___ 392(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 117494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 587(@200wpm)___ 470(@250wpm)___ 392(@300wpm)
Well, then.
I stepped back and to the side. “After you.”
Her head went back down, but everything about her was reading she knew exactly what she was doing. Her shoulders were set. Her gait was strong, stable. She led the way, taking us to the far end of the parking area, and then farther down a walking path, past a few trees.
She noted where the road was, and the driveway, seeing we were hidden if anyone came out looking for us.
I sent a text to Boise.
Me: Be a minute.
Boise: You want me to start questioning? One of them is waking up.
Me: Have at it.
She had settled back on her heel, watching me text.
I gave her a nod. “I’m all yours.”
She opened her mouth, but a blood-curdling scream filled the air.
Boise must’ve decided to start with the hard questions first.
“I’ve noticed that I’ve not been offered a phone.”
“Yeah. I wanted to talk to you first.”
Her head moved up and down, chewing on that. “Right. Well, I’d like a phone. I’m sure you’ve talked to Granddad, told him I’m good, but I’ve got a man that’d take it a certain way that I’ve not notified him as quick as I could’ve.”
“About your man, he someone I should know about? My man was set on you guys for a bit before we pulled up. He watched while he was waiting for us, and he told us that you were getting different treatment from Estrada’s men. I’m wondering if you’d be open to sharing with me the reason for that treatment. That being said, I’ll share that I’ve been told they treated you differently. I’m assuming it was better considering how Claudia lit into them and you didn’t.”
“Right.” She was back to chewing on that information, looking like she was literally chewing the inside of her cheek. “So, I’m not a part of this fight, but since they took me, thinking I was one of your women, I’m thinking this changes things a bit. Having said that, you need to know that my man works for someone who works with Estrada. They found out, and freaked. It’s why they were trying to call Estrada, or I’m assuming, because I educated them as soon as I learned who they were.”
Well. Fuck.
Things made more sense now.
“You’re from West Virginia. In my books, that ain’t considered east. The people who Estrada has aligned with are known to be in the east.” I gave her a once-over. “And Russian. Assuming you’re not from where he lives in Mexico or those guys might not have mistaken your identity.”
Her lips parted, half in a grin, half in a grimace. “Look, I come from biking stock. Grew up with my dad riding for his club. My loyalty is strong with you, but I’m in a situation where I don’t feel fully prepared to share the name of my man or how it is that he’s partially in employment with Estrada’s ally. Also, saying all that considering the very abrupt turn of events because up until a few days ago, the belief was set that the Red Demons motorcycle club was the reason Estrada was so powerful in the States. It gets out that he doesn’t have you anymore, and well, I’m just giving a subtle hint that could affect other relationships he’s got but I still don’t feel comfortable giving you my man’s name. Tip my hand too much and I’m not real sure if I’m in enemy territory or with friends of my family. I can say that I don’t mean you any harm and you letting me call my man would go a long way with some people.”
Now my lips parted because she was asking for a show of faith without giving me much.
Goddamn it all again because I already knew what I was going to do, and seriously hoping this wouldn’t kick me in the ass later on. I gave a nod. “Okay. I’ll dispatch a guy to take you back and give you a phone. We’ll get you where you need to go.”
“I appreciate it. A ride to the nearest town and hotel, and a phone for a call will be all I need. I’ll be good after that.”
“Nearest town? Not to see your uncle?”
“I was planning on checking in with him via the phone, but guess I could ask you. He’s okay?”
“He’s okay. He’s in Frisco at one of our places.”
“Good. Keep him safe, but the nearest town and a call to my man is all I need.”
We were heading back as we heard the engines first, then the headlights started showing. A line of motorcycles was coming around the corner.
Crow and the rest of his charter had arrived.
But the first to me was Machete. He parked, almost catapulted himself off his bike, and he was marching right to me.