Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 60234 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60234 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
“Willow!” Banger’s voice sounds over the music. He’s on his feet, his long legs eating up the distance between him and his woman. “Willow,” he growls again, cupping her face and kissing her like she’s his whole world. And she is. He’s alive, and his woman is back in his arms.
Loud whoops and whistles sound around the bar, and Ace holds up a hand. “We’re bloody and tired, but we got Willow back, and there are a few less Bloodthirsty Devils in the world.”
He smiles as more whistles and shouts sound. A second later, rock music blasts from the speakers.
Nothing but smiles flash around the room, and it feels good. Fuck that. It feels better than good. But as I look around the room, I notice Maggie’s not here. To be fair, if she was out here, she wouldn’t have a smile on her face.
Reluctantly, I pull myself from the celebration and head toward Maggie’s room, knocking on the door as anticipation zips through me.
The thought of seeing her again excites me in a way that’s not entirely sexual. She’s got a smart fucking mouth to go with a killer smile, even though her smile is a little dimmer these days since she’s so self-conscious about her scar. “Maggie? Open up!”
Letty comes down the hall with Shades and puts her arm on my shoulder. “Sorry, Nova. Maggie’s gone. She left a while ago.”
“What?” The roar of my voice surprises me and makes Shades frown. “What do you mean she left? Where’d she go?”
Letty shrugs. “She said she was looking for you. Something about finding you at the clinic to get more bandages before she left, and it turned into a whole thing. Then, she left.”
“Fuck!” My heart is racing thinking about Maggie out there alone, the Bloodthirsty Devils still hunting her. “After what happened tonight? She’s a dead woman walking,” I say to Shades.
His smirk fades as the truth sinks in. “Shit.”
“They’ll think she set them up, and this time they’ll make sure they finish her off.” I close my eyes and immediately wish I hadn’t. There it is, right against my lids like a fucking drive-in movie screen, Maggie’s beautiful face pale and lifeless, her eyes open, almost accusatory. Blaming me for her death because I promised to protect her, to keep her safe.
And I’ve failed her.
“Fuck!” The word roars out of me, so raw and intense my whole body vibrates. “Un-fucking-believable,” I groan. “One thing. I ask for one thing, and I can’t even have that.” The words are angry, furious, in fact.
“Chill the fuck out, Nova,” Ace growls. “Stop bitching about it and go find her.”
“Bitching? I’m not bitching,” I growl, shaking off his touch. “I’m fuckin’ pissed.”
“Then stop being pissed and go find your girl.”
I nod, still angry as fuck, as I storm out of the clubhouse and stomp to my bike. I’ll find you, Maggie. I fucking promise.
“Nova, wait up!”
I turn to find Olly and Tank jogging toward me. “What’s up?”
“We’re coming with you in the van,” Olly says. “Less conspicuous.”
I nod, appreciative of the backup. “Let’s go.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Maggie
Freedom. That’s what hits me the second I step outta the clubhouse. My shoulders feel lighter; my heart is freer, almost airborne. I’m on my own again, and it feels…good.
I’m also full of shit.
The high wears off quick. Truth is, the more distance I put between me and the clubhouse, the more worry creeps into my gut. Pretty soon, it seizes up, making it hard to breathe. My nerves start to take over, and my steps slow down, which is fucking dangerous.
It’s late, and I’m a woman, a pretty fucking small one, no matter how scrappy I am. That is its own danger, but then I see a red car roll past. Holy fucking shit. The BTD, I think, and duck behind the nearest bushes, heart racing and hands trembling.
Holy fuck. And what if it is them? What the fuck am I gonna do now?
I risk a look, parting the bushes like a fucking cartoon character, and then feeling like a moron when I see a big ass red minivan roll down the street.
Fuck, I’m seriously freaking the fuck out.
I’m scared out here, and honestly, I’m starting to regret running from the clubhouse like my ass was on fire.
Leaving was a stupid move. Why did I do it? For one thing, I didn’t get to say goodbye to Nova. Sure, I’m pissed at him, but I still like him—more than I want to admit. And now that I’m alone, I realize how much I miss him. Leaving without a goodbye is a dick move, but then again, maybe he doesn’t want a goodbye.
Another car goes by, a dark sedan that is most definitely not a red drop top, but still, my heart leaps out of my chest. I’m too jumpy to be out here on my own, and that’s a tough fucking pill to swallow.