Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 40524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 203(@200wpm)___ 162(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 203(@200wpm)___ 162(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
I shook my head, trying to clear it. I could feel sweat trickle down my face. The night breeze chilled my skin and I tucked Scarlet tighter against me, closing my arms around her as much as I could to protect her from the cold. She whimpered, but burrowed closer and clutched me even tighter.
“Fuck,” I gasped, shaking my head again. I had to pull myself out of this if I was going to help Scarlet. She needed me back in the here and now. So did my brothers. “Fuck.”
“Here we go.” Rage moved in front of me, gripping my shoulder. “You back with us, buddy?”
I nodded though I wasn’t altogether certain I’d shaken off the pain this panic attack had brought back. It had been a cross between the present and the past, and I still wasn’t sure if I’d completely fought my way free.
“Good. Can you stand?” Stitches had a syringe in his hand he injected into the tubing of the IV he’d started.
“We need to get her to the hospital.” Breaker stood above me and I tilted my face up to him.
“No hospital,” she whimpered. “Please.”
“But--”
“If we take her to a hospital, they’re gonna ask questions.” Stitches finished and helped me to my feet. I was able to let him, though my instinct was screaming at me to make him leave us the fuck alone. “They’ll want to put her on a psych ward if she’s medically clear and I’m sure she doesn’t want to have to explain anything. Let’s get her back to the clubhouse and I’ll check her over. I’m not going to let her not get the care she needs if she’s physically injured beyond what I can take care of.”
“Get her in the Expedition.” Rage urged me back inside the house and through the front door. I carried Scarlet, not even considering giving her off to someone else. Breaker and took the lead, scanning the area before Rage stepped out the door ahead of me. I had no idea where Hammer was, but it was a good fucking thing he wasn’t here. Because I needed to kill, and I didn’t want to do it in front of Scarlet. It would only terrify her, and she absolutely could not be afraid of me.
“All clear.” Rage hurried to the cage and opened the backdoor. He protected Scarlet’s head as I climbed in with her still in my arms. My bike was upright in front of the SUV, but I barely noticed. Clutch must have righted it. In fact, he conferred with Stitches, then climbed on my bike and took off with Breaker and Rage. Stitches slid behind the wheel and turned to look at me.
“You guys OK?”
I grunted but didn’t say anything else. I was still struggling but holding the moment. I rested my chin on top of Scarlet’s head as Stitches nodded once, then started up the truck and took off. Back toward the Iron Tzars clubhouse and home.
“Everythin’s gonna be all right, Scarlet,” I murmured. “It’s all gonna be fine.”
“I don’t want to go back to Hammer,” she whispered. “I know it’s what my father wanted, but I can’t do this anymore.”
“Don’t give a fuck what your daddy wants,” I snapped. “You’re stayin’ with me. I’m gonna protect you from now on. No matter what.” I tried to keep my voice soft, for her ears alone. But I was all too aware of the other men in the truck. Didn’t matter. They’d all find out soon enough anyway. Scarlet was staying with me.
She looked up at me and we locked gazes for a long time. Scarlet seemed to be looking for something I had no idea how to give her. There was no give in me right now, and I knew I’d do everything in my power to keep her with me. Once my rational brain kicked back in, maybe I could let her go her own way. But I didn’t think so.
When we pulled into the compound gate, she finally gave me a slow nod. “All right. I’ll stay with you.”
I grunted. “Damned straight, honey. Damned straight.”
Chapter Five
Scarlet
The second I agreed to stay with Mars, an immense peace enveloped me. I’d only seen the guy a couple of times, but the way he held me, refused to let me go, it was comforting. It shouldn’t be. I didn’t know this guy, and hadn’t I just tried to kill myself to get away from a man who refused to let me go? This felt… different.
Mars carried me into the clubhouse and through the common room. Surprisingly, there were only a few club members and no club whores. There was usually one or two hanging around, even when the place was filled with old ladies. I’d only ever seen the place jovial and welcoming. Now, everything was silent.