Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 144908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
He turned to face her, watched her press the pads of her fingers to her trembling lips. Her gaze refused to meet his.
“Babe, don’t do that. Don’t lie to me. We promised each other we wouldn’t do that. We’re not going to be those people. You’re coming with me because I want you to come. I don’t mind you having panic attacks. You just lost your parents, and you have some asshole forcing you to marry him. Oh. Damn. That asshole would be me.” He tried to make her smile.
She didn’t smile. Instead, she lifted those long lashes and finally looked him in the eye, her gaze searching his. He let her see he meant what he said. He wanted her to go with him or she wouldn’t be going, no matter the circumstances. He might be uncomfortable admitting what he was doing, but she’d find out sooner or later.
He dragged on his shirt and jacket and, sinking down beside her, pulled on his socks and boots. “I told you, I don’t do anything I don’t want to do. I’m taking you with me because I want to, not because you’re forcing me to.”
The sound of a motorcycle drawing close had him standing, reaching to pull her close to him, catching the edges of the blanket and tightening it around her. “That’s Ink. I’ll get the clothes from him, and you can get dressed and ready to go. Whatever you hear tonight stays confidential. I mean it, princess. You act like you don’t see it or hear it. Understand?”
“I’m a financial advisor, Master. I’m used to keeping things confidential,” she assured him. “Thank you for being understanding. I’m all over the place and not making much sense.”
“You’re doing fine, Ambrielle,” he corrected.
“Coming in,” a voice called.
“In the bedroom,” Master answered, positioning his body in front of Ambrie. He didn’t exactly understand why. She was covered up by the blanket, and he wasn’t a man concerned with his brethren seeing her naked, at least not as a rule. So, what the hell?
Her hand found the back of his jacket, fingers curling into a fist, and then her forehead rested on the small of his back as she leaned into him for support from her place at the edge of the bed. His heart reacted physically with a strange jerking. A curious melting sensation he’d never felt before. Emotions welled up. Protective. Beyond strong.
“Ink.” His Torpedo Ink brother came through the door, eyes cool, sweeping the room, his dark hair disheveled from the ride on his silver Fat Boy Softail, with its custom images in scrolling Russian Cyrillic and Celtic symbols. Ink was covered in tattoos, all his own art, mostly animals and reptiles, giving the appearance of moving across his body as if alive when he took even the smallest of steps.
Master took the bag from him. “Thanks, man. She’ll only take a minute.”
“You sure about her going with us?”
Ambrie’s fingers in his jacket fisted tighter. She’d gathered the skulls that rested in the roots of the tree in the patch on his jacket into her palm. Her head turned once, giving him a silent signal that she didn’t want to be separated.
“Made her a promise, Ink.”
“This could get ugly.”
“Her wedding wasn’t? Wading through dead bodies to get to Preacher? She’s seen ugly. Give her five.”
Ink shrugged. “Your call.”
“Her choice.”
Master waited until Ink had walked into the next room before he stepped forward to loosen Ambrielle’s hold on him. He’d known all along the breakdown was coming. He wasn’t about to blame her. She wasn’t nearly as hysterical as she could have been. Should have been. He crouched down in front of her.
“Listen to me, princess. Ink is right. This could get ugly. I’ll take you with me if you want to go, but we could be walking into a mess. I’ve got some cabins on my property and I let some people use them now and again. Sometimes they’re in trouble and working their way out. Reese Fender is a good man. Has a good family: wife, Tyra; little girl, Sandree, about one or two. He’s a damn hard worker, talented as hell. He was set up, for reasons I don’t need to tell you right now, and sent to prison. We can get into that later. The thing is, he’s an alcoholic. Made it easy for him to take the fall. I met him in prison, liked him. Knew he didn’t do what they said and got my brother Absinthe to get him out. He’s out on parole while we’re trying to unravel everything.”
“I need to stay with you.” Her voice was very firm. “I might be good for Tyra and her daughter.”
He framed her face with both hands and brushed a kiss on top of her head just for being brave. “Get dressed. Hurry. I don’t want Reese to have too much time to think.”