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)
“We’ll investigate and find out whether he was the source or not. If he contacts you, act as if nothing has happened and just go forward with your plans,” Master advised. “I’m taking my bride home. Trust us to take care of this. It will take a little time to sort through the mess. Always keep Sandree close. The club will watch over you.”
He stood up, reached down and gathered Ambrielle into his arms, cradling her against his chest. “Tyra, we’re stealing the blanket and clothes, although I promise I’ll get them back to you.”
“No hurry,” Tyra assured him. “We appreciate you coming.”
Master nodded. He didn’t like long farewells. He just turned abruptly and walked out, taking Ambrie with him. Ink would talk for a few minutes with Reese, telling him everything the man needed to hear that Master couldn’t give him.
Ambrielle cuddled into him, both arms linked around his neck. Master had never liked anyone touching him. He really didn’t like needy women. He wasn’t a man who wanted to bring a woman home and have her clinging to him. It made no sense that he never wanted to put Ambrie down, but he didn’t. He inhaled her scent and wanted to keep her in his lungs. He liked the way she felt against his body. He couldn’t wait to get her home and into his bed.
“You’re so warm.”
That came out muffled against his chest. He opened the passenger door and reluctantly placed her on the seat, tucking the blanket around her. “Yeah, my body temp tends to run hot all the time.”
“I’m always on the cooler side, and my feet are cold. Wait until I accidentally put them on you. You’ll scream like a baby.”
That teasing note got to him every damn time. He closed the door and went around to the driver’s side. Ink was already out and heading their way.
“Babe, gotta get this over with, so you know what’s going on with your parents.” He turned on the truck so he could kick on the heater. “Put your seat belt on.” He didn’t want her to bolt on him, and the moment he mentioned her parents, she looked like she might jump out of the truck and run.
Ambrie huddled deeper into the blanket. “Can we talk about it in the morning?”
“I don’t know when the cops will be contacting you and we have to get our stories straight.” Ink was in the truck and Master set it in motion. “You have to be believable when you talk to them, princess. Absinthe has been in touch with them this entire time. He contacted them on your behalf, identifying himself as your lawyer. At any time, you can change that. You can find a lawyer of your choice, although Absinthe is a damn good attorney and can get you whatever you want.”
“He didn’t clear your record, Kir,” she pointed out, her tone belligerent. “If he’s the lawyer for the club, do any of the others have a record?”
“Ambrielle.” He said her name. A warning. They weren’t alone.
“She’s right, Master,” Ink said. “Everyone in the club has a clean record. Well, I don’t know about Destroyer, but even Savage does. All but you. I’ve never even thought about it. Why is that?”
“We’re talking about Ambrielle’s parents and what she needs to say to the cops. If Jonas Harrington and Jackson Deveau show up to talk to you, wait for me and Absinthe. Don’t say anything until we’re right there with you. Both have gifts.”
Ink leaned forward over the back of the seat. “We all believe Jackson can detect lies. You have to be very careful how you word things to him.”
Ambrie turned her face away from them and stared out the window, pulling the blanket to her chin. She huddled inside of it, for the first time since she’d married him really looking as if she’d separated herself from him. She looked so alone, it was heartbreaking. Master tightened his hands on the wheel and refrained from speaking. They could discuss it when they were alone.
She couldn’t think about her parents and their death. She was compartmentalizing, and the moment she even thought of them, she turned to something else and frantically threw herself into that in order to avoid facing the one thing she couldn’t deal with.
Master indicated for Ink to put his Harley in the garage. “You take the truck. I’ve got a couple of other vehicles we can use if the rain continues. No use in you getting drenched.” He waited for Ink to put the bike away in the huge garage before handing him the truck keys and collecting his wife by simply sweeping her off the seat and carrying her into the house.
He went through the large front room. He would have slowed down to show it to her, hoping she’d like it as much as he did, but she was exhausted and needed to go to sleep whether she thought so or not. She didn’t stop with the continual shivering until he put her feet on the floor of the master bath—familiar territory.