Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 103637 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103637 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Rain moved to the other side of the vehicle, her expression cold and focused in a way that told Arden she wouldn’t hesitate if any of the men disobeyed Jack’s orders.
The Smokeys were way more confident and organized than Luke’s goon friends could ever dream to be. Even in a small group, they were a swarm of hornets taking on two bumble bees that made more noise than harm.
Sweat was cold on Arden’s back despite the heat when Mike kneeled in front of him, thick blond brows lowering as he wiped blood from under Arden’s nose.
“Just one punch?”
“Yeah, I’m okay,” Arden muttered, rubbing his eyes with his inner wrists because there was sand stuck to his fingers, but his gaze was soon drawn to a bruise on one of his arms. Cold dread speared right through him, because that image of fingers imprinted on his tender flesh instantly took him right back to that terrible night with Luke. He sobbed as if he were alone, with no one to see him lose control.
He realized he’d had his knife on him all along, but had been too shocked and scared to remember its presence and defend himself.
Mike’s lips twisted, but he only had tenderness for Arden, rubbing swollen flesh as he roared, a lion protecting his prey from scavengers. “Out! Out of the fucking car, both of you, or I’ll set you on fire.”
He rose, hair floating in the dusty wind, breathing hard as if his lungs couldn’t keep up with the demand for air. The narrow road behind him was empty and quiet. There would be no unwanted witnesses to whatever happened next.
When the men hesitated for too long, Rain loudly took the safety off her gun.
“You won, give it a fucking rest,” the driver grumbled, but did get out, unlike Freckles who eyed Mike from the backseat like a rabid dog.
Mike rolled his neck until something cracked. “His gun?”
Rain showed him the firearm, stepping away from the car, and the moment Mike saw it, he yanked on the back door so hard he could have broken the hinges. Freckles tried to fight him, but Mike dove right in and dragged him out in a chokehold. The bastard didn’t relent, as if he hadn’t yet realized they’d lost, and kicked about, creating a cloud of dust.
A part of Arden worried for Mike, but he didn’t say a word and watched his revenge fantasy unfold through the tears in his eyes. He’d never considered himself bloodthirsty, but now he wanted to see the man who’d punched, who’d almost taken him to Luke’s, pay for what he’d done.
So when Mike’s signet-studded knuckles hit Freckles in the face and made his bones sing, Arden didn’t flinch. The lowlife collapsed, but Mike was on him again before he could have covered his face.
“One punch,” Mike said, panting as he pressed the sole of his steel-toed boot to the bastard’s cheek and twisted it in a way that made Arden choke with nausea. But for Mike, this was nothing. He was a hard man, with strong muscles, and the desire to keep Arden safe. “Look at the boy. Are you proud of yourself? Do you feel strong now?” Mike roared, but before Freckles caught his breath to answer, Mike rolled the boot off him and kicked him hard in the ribs.
His siblings watched on in silence as more bikers arrived, and even the driver, who’d proven himself a coward, stayed still, watching his companion take the brunt of Mike’s fury.
Arden’s heart was in his throat when Freckles helplessly covered his head, but Mike pulled the bastard’s arm away and smashed his fist into a bloodied face again.
Arden should be disgusted by the violence, yet watching Mike turn his abductor’s face into a pulp was satisfying. And the more blood he saw, the safer he felt.
Luke had a rough-around-the-edges charm that used to give Arden a thrill, but Mike was the real deal, ready to take on anyone who crossed him, not only those obviously weaker than him.
Hank Heller, the president of the club and Mike’s dad, eyed the scene without a word, his face somber. “Easy now. Unless you want to kill him, I suggest you stop.”
Mike grunted and punched Freckles’ back, prompting him to whine and curl into a ball, like the maggot he was, but he pulled away, spitting at Arden’s abductor as if he couldn’t contain his disgust.
“If either of you ever comes close to that boy, I will break all your limbs and leave you in the desert for the coyotes and vultures. Same goes for the coward who sent you,” he shouted toward the driver who stood by the car with his hands lifted, pale like sun-bleached bone.
Jack had never tried to hide that he held no love for Arden. A scary man in his forties and tattooed all over, he tolerated Arden’s presence because of Rain’s wishes, but he spat at the ground in front of the driver all the same. Maybe the fact that the abduction happened on Smokey territory made it personal for him, no matter who it involved. “Get your buddy out of here and do as told,” he said through clenched teeth.