Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 25932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 130(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 130(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
“How will you know?”
“We’ll know,” I stated. “If the situation escalates or you learn anything new, go to Liquid Silver and give the information to the manager. It will get back to me.”
“Jonathan!”
A shrieking voice came from the foyer, and the judge’s face clouded with irritation. He stalked around the desk, and I stepped aside so he could exit, then followed.
The noise was coming from an older woman who bore a slight resemblance to my Kiara. Her face was flushed with anger, but the ruddy color of her cheeks came from consuming too much alcohol. Even the heavy makeup she was wearing couldn't fully disguise it.
“Jonathan!” she screeched again when she saw him approach. “What are these thugs doing in my home? This one”—she pointed at Cash, who had moved to stand in front of Kiara, and her face twisted with disgust—“won’t let me near our daughter!”
“Relax, Marsha,” the judge sighed, barely keeping the impatience out of his tone. “I asked them to come. They are going to protect Kiara until the mess is dealt with.”
“You can’t be serious, Jonathan,” she snapped, placing her hand on her chest dramatically. “What will people think if we just ship our daughter off to who knows where? They’ll think we have something to hide! They’ll think you’re guilty. I won’t be able to show my face at the—”
“Shut up, Marsha,” he snapped harshly. “I don’t give a fuck what anyone thinks as long as she’s safe.”
Marsha sputtered a few times. “Well, of course, I mean, obviously, Kiara is always my first priority.”
The judge snorted derisively before ordering, “Go drink another bottle of wine, dear. I’m not sure there are any left in the cellar, but if so, I have no doubt you’ll find them.”
I’d heard enough of this bullshit, and I didn’t want Kiara exposed to any more of it either. “Enough!” I roared, bringing an end to their bickering and garnering everyone’s attention. “We’re done here.”
I walked over to Cash, and he immediately stepped aside so I could tuck Kiara into my side. I handed him the stack of files, then guided my woman out to my bike.
5
Kiara
“What about my car? I didn’t have the chance to bring anything into the house, so all my stuff is in the back.” I glanced at his motorcycle. “And it’s definitely not going to fit on there. I brought a ton since I was coming home for a month.”
“A month?” Knight echoed, his brows drawing together.
“Yeah, that’s what I get for winter break from school. My classes start back up the first Monday after the New Year,” I explained with a nod.
I wasn’t sure why, but he didn’t look happy with my answer as he jerked his chin toward the group of Silver Saints sitting on their bikes at the curb in front of my parents’ house. “Bickle is gonna come back when he realizes your dad can’t do shit for his son. We can’t leave your car here in your dad’s garage for him to find. One of the guys will disconnect the GPS and bring it to the compound. No way in hell will that bastard be able to find it—or you—there.”
I darted a quick glance at his friends. “Um, why don’t I just drive it myself? Everyone has their own motorcycle, and I can’t imagine you want to leave one of those behind either.”
He shook his head and tugged me toward his bike. “It’s not gonna be a problem. Two of them will drop their bikes off, switch vehicles, and come back for your car. If you have more shit inside you want them to grab, let me know.”
Thinking about all of the stuff I’d shoved into my trunk, I shook my head. “Thank you, but that’s not necessary. I have everything I need already in my car.”
“Good, then we can get going,” he muttered, grabbing the helmet off his handlebars and handing it to me.
“Wouldn’t it be easier for me to just drive it myself?” I asked again as he flung his leg over the seat and turned to hold his hand out to me.
“The only way you’re leaving here is on the back of my bike, Kiara.” He wrapped his fingers around my wrist and gently tugged me closer.
“Oh.” My lips formed a perfect circle as I wondered why he was so insistent that I ride with him.
Stories about the meaning of having a woman on the back of your bike from romance novels that I’d read were piling together in my head. Right up until the moment he burst that bubble by saying, “Gotta keep you close so I can keep you safe.”
I was happy that my dad had been right about the Silver Saints being willing to protect me in spite of what he’d done, but I hoped that Knight would have given a different reason for wanting me on the back of his bike. Like he wanted to keep me close for personal reasons…because he felt the pull between us the same as I did.