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)
I can’t stop the huge grin from spreading across my face. I want to throw my hands into the air and scream at the top of my lungs, I want to whoop with utter joy. So, this is what freedom feels like?
Every single moment I hang out with these men has me realizing exactly why they do what they do.
They live a life so many of us could never begin to imagine.
They don’t answer to anybody but themselves.
They have a family that isn’t bound by blood, but something much stronger.
They’re a brotherhood that would literally die for one another.
I’ve never had that in my life.
The ride is over too quickly, even though we’ve been on the road for two hours. I could stay on here all day, curled around Kendric, not worrying about anything but the wind blowing against my body. Nothing in the world can touch me, and I love how that makes me feel.
We arrive at a large warehouse and the bikes all come to a stop, shutting down. Suddenly it’s way too silent. My ears ring as I get off the back and pull my helmet off. Right now, standing amongst them all, I don’t feel like a cop. I feel like family. Just family. Like I’m part of this club. Part of them.
I kind of like how that feels.
Kendric turns to me when he removes his helmet and says, “Not so terrifying, now was it?”
I shake my head; I can’t stop the smile spreading across my face. Something in his expression changes when he sees it, like his face goes a little softer, like he’s surprised to see me smile like that.
He makes a huffing sound, but not an unhappy one, almost like a silent chuckle, and then turns toward Alarick who is walking toward us, Briella in tow. They stop in front of me and Briella asks happily, “So, did you love it?”
“I have to admit I kind of did,” I say.
She claps her hands with a thrilled squeal.
“Down to business now,” Alarick says, interrupting his woman’s happy dance. “We’ve got shit to get through here. The man we’re about to talk to has information that we need. He happens to have inside knowledge, and we hear he may very well know Blanche well. Nobody speaks but me. You’re all here for backup, nothing more.”
I want to say something, but I don’t.
He calls the shots here; I respect him enough to ensure I don’t overrule that.
“We’re takin’ five inside, the rest wait outside. Zariah, you’re comin’ in with us. Mostly because you can see things we can’t, like lyin’ or evidence. We need you to have your cop head on, but don’t show it. Clear?”
I nod.
Kendric, Alarick, Cohen, Bohdi, and I are the ones who enter the warehouse. I have no idea what we’re about to walk into, or if it’ll end badly, all I know is that they’ve brought me here for a reason. Backup maybe? Or proof that Steven is involved somehow. One way or another, I’m certain that Alarick has a plan, and I’m part of that plan.
We enter the warehouse through a side door and, once inside, we’re immediately faced with eight very big, very burly men. They’re all standing, guns in hand, and I immediately tense up and reach for my gun, only to remember I don’t have it. That’s a bad move, because one of them looks at me, and his eyes narrow. He’s a big guy, maybe six foot, but he’s built like a brick building. The man is pure steel and he’s got the darkest brown eyes I’ve ever seen. He’s gorgeous, without a doubt, and I’m unable to look away.
“You brought a cop.”
His voice is husky and thick, it perfectly matches him. Is this another club? Some sort of gang? They’re all wearing similar clothes, but not leather jackets. They’re seemingly a group, all of them standing the exact same way, all of them incredibly good looking. Cartel maybe? I’m not totally sure.
“Don’t know what you’re talkin’ about,” Alarick says, his voice low and incredibly deadly.
“She reached for a gun, moment she saw us. Nobody does that.”
“I do that,” I say, my voice strong and unwavering. “I do that because I always carry a gun.”
The man holds my gaze, tipping his head to the side. I don’t break eye contact—I stay strong and stand my ground. He needs to know that I’m not going to back down. He needs to know none of us are.
He finally breaks contact and looks back to Alarick. “What do you want?”
“We want information.”
The man smiles, making him look so breathtakingly dangerous it sends shivers up my spine. “Don’t we all.”
“We’re not here for a war. We stick to ourselves, you know that. We’re here to find someone who fucked over my club. Someone who needs to be taken down. We’ve got word you know somethin’. Wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have to be.”