Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34588 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 173(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34588 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 173(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
Right on time, Mack is at Law’s door to get me, so we can head over to the cookout.
I hop into her ride and see a giant bowl wrapped up. “I thought you were going to need my help.”
“I didn’t have to do any cooking besides the potato salad this year and I made that this morning when I couldn’t sleep. So, how was your night? No deets because Wrench would kill Law if I knew anything about Law like that, but did you?”
“Yes, we did, and it was amazing, but it’s weird because he hasn’t even sent a text all day.”
“Maybe it’s busy.” She shrugs her shoulders like it’s no big deal and maybe I’m just overreacting. It’s probably because I lost my virginity last night and well, I thought it was special. He made me feel special. Something just isn’t right and I can feel it.
“He rushed out of the house before the sun was up this morning, and his phone was blowing up.” Panic fills my chest. Every day you hear about cops being gunned down on the job.
She presses her hand to my thigh. “Girl, please don’t think anything like that. He’s not going to step out on you like that.”
“It’s not that. I’m just worried that he’s a cop and well.”
“Van, this is a small town. We’d know if something bad happened.” I take a deep breath and relax because I know she’s right about that. My fight with Darrell made the rounds instantly and everyone knew about Law and I in a matter of an hour.
We arrive at the Steele Riders Clubhouse, where the grilling is underway, and the party is popping. Everyone greets us and I’ve been nicknamed the surfing champ. It’s massive, and I make my way through the front yard where the tables are set up. Mack introduces me to the Patched members and their wives, along with the other friends and family.
It’s all good as time goes by, and everyone brings up my kick-ass fighting skills, but it’s been two hours, and Jacob isn’t there and hasn’t shown up yet. No one’s mentioned any trouble, so I try to remain at ease, but I’m not something doesn’t feel okay.
Suddenly, Doc arrives, and a sinking feeling hits the pit of my stomach from the look on his face.
He gives me a fake smile I could read a mile away. “Hey, Vanessa, just the person I was looking for. Law asked me to tell you he’s running a little late. Things got crazy at the station this morning, and his cell phone was broken.” Several of the members look to him and I know there’s something he’s not saying. Still, the party continues without another word like there’s some fucking silent code shared and understood, but I don’t fucking like it. “He didn’t want you to worry. Excuse me; I need to find my wife.”
“Thanks…” I mutter as he intentionally walks right past me. “…for nothing.”
Chapter Eight
Law
I grunt as I make my way to the cookout in the SUV. The motorcycle ride is definitely on hold for a while. Fuck, I couldn’t believe how fucking lucky I’d been this morning. Jeff fucking Motts is going to rot in hell for it.
Beast was alerted to a bomb threat made to the police station. I was there with my deputy Santos, checking out the scene after we evacuated the staff and Darrell Motts from his cell. The bomb squad had found nothing, so we were given the all fucking clear.
Fell back asleep. Miss you. See you later.
I was about to respond to Vanessa’s text because I missed the fuck out of her too when Jeff Motts pulled up and sprayed the station with bullets, hitting me in the chest where my badge and phone had been. It’s the only thing to save my fucking life.
Luckily no other officers were shot, although they did have some cuts from broken glass. In his actions, Motts accidentally killed his own brother. Darrell had been hit several times in the chest almost as if he’d been intentionally targeted. My team spent ten minutes hunting him down while I was treated. Thankfully, the Feds and the emergency response team were still nearby.
My broken ribs will take time to heal, but it could have been worse. Still, I had a lot to deal with, and I didn’t want to ruin the rest of the day for everyone else. It was Boomer and Crystal’s anniversary celebration and a special day for Mick and Morgan. We were all aware that we didn’t need a repeat of the past, so I didn’t want to bring it to everyone.
As a doctor, Doc has been through this all. This morning Beast had alerted the town that we were working a standard emergency drill that the Feds were running given the border drug crisis. It worked because no one was any the wiser. It did help that most of the shops had been closed due to the party at the clubhouse, so the area was empty this morning when Motts had let the bullets fly.