Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 69155 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 346(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69155 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 346(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
“Bennett is proof that people take risks for money. If he’s up there, the silent partner, the man behind the curtains, then he’s gettin’ a fuck load of cash. He’s also makin’ sure that Dax isn’t found and Peter doesn’t have a trail. Peter calls the shots, we know that, but we have always had reason to believe he wasn’t workin’ alone.”
It just doesn’t make sense.
I can’t honestly believe Steven would be involved in this.
I don’t know him, of course, but he’s the last person I’d ever pick. To get that high up in the ranks, to be an investigator, that’s just not something you throw away.
“What makes you think Blanche is involved?”
“We’ve got our sources.”
“You’re going to have to do better than that,” I snap.
Alarick gives me a look that tells me he’s not going to take this crap from me. His jaw tightens, and he steps forward, leaning in close. “You’re a cop, half of your fuckin’ station is dirty, sorry if I’m bein’ careful about what information I throw around.”
Fuck this.
One minute he’s on my side, the next he’s not.
“You know what,” I say, shaking my head in frustration, “if you don’t trust me, then I’m out. I’ve been nothing but good to your club, and I’ve proven my loyalty. You call me here to give me information, but you’re only willing to give me a touch. I’m not here for a little, I’m here for the lot. I’m risking my career on this. Stop wasting my time.”
I turn and walk toward the door.
“Zariah!”
Briella calls my name and, just as I reach my car, she stops me with a hand around my upper arm. I turn to face her, my chest tight with rage. “What, Briella?”
“Are you okay?”
“Am I okay?” I laugh, shaking my head. “No, not really. Everything that could go wrong is going wrong and, after everything, Alarick doesn’t trust me. I don’t have time for that. Every day that Dax is out there, every day that this goes on, more women are losing their lives. Not to mention Kendric is going to go away for a very long time if we don’t find that man. Even though, right now, I couldn’t care less if he did.”
That’s a lie, but I’m angry, and right now I have no way of getting that anger out.
“Come out with me,” Briella offers, surprising me. I know she’s friends with Waverly, but as of yet, I’ve not made any friends with any of the girls because I’ve been too busy trying to keep my distance. “Merleigh, Karen, and I are going to the bar tonight—a few drinks and dinner. You should come along.”
She wants me to come along?
Why?
“I’m a cop, Briella ...”
She snorts, waving a hand. “You’re also a human with feelings and needs. I like you, Zariah, and I know Alarick does, too. Don’t take him too seriously. He’s trying very hard not to make another big mistake right now but he cares about what you think. Please, consider coming out with us. You look like you could use a night off.”
She’s right, I really could.
“Okay,” I say, mostly because the last thing I want to do right now is go home.
“Yay!” She claps. “I’ll swing by and get you around six. Is that okay?”
I look at my watch. That’s one hour away.
“Yeah, sure.”
I say goodbye to her just as Alarick walks out of the clubhouse and toward my car.
I get in and drive off.
Not today, biker.
Not today.
3
ZARIAH
“Zariah, you know Karen and Merleigh, right?” Briella asks as we walk into a local bar and restaurant in the middle of town.
Karen and Merleigh are sitting at a booth, and both girls smile at me as we approach. I give them a smile and a wave, saying, “Yeah, I know them. Hi, ladies.”
“How are you, Zariah?” Karen asks.
I take a seat on the squeaky red chairs and scoot over so Briella can squish in beside me. I shift in my tight, black dress, mostly because it has been way too long since I’ve put a dress this short on. I feel slightly uncomfortable but also really empowered to look anything like a cop right now. People look at you differently when you’re in uniform. They immediately get their backs up. It’s a damned shitty feeling.
“I’m okay, glad to be out and about. How are you?”
Karen smiles and tells me what she’s been doing lately, and Merleigh tells me that she’s started working at a local café and how good it feels to finally be doing something with her life. I feel for the poor girl—she had a hell of a time after being sold by Dax, and she’s been fighting her way back up to the surface since. That takes guts.
Cova, the other girl rescued, not so much.
Briella told me only days ago that Cova is getting worse. She’s been living with them and does nothing but sleep all day. She’s worried because no amount of therapy seems to be working. She’s sinking deeper and deeper into depression, and Briella is worried about how she’s going to get her out of it.