Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44774 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 224(@200wpm)___ 179(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44774 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 224(@200wpm)___ 179(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
“Fine.” I stepped forward, and Styx reached out and took my hand. The contact was unexpected, but not unpleasant. In fact, I found myself clinging more tightly to him the closer we got to the big structure. “What is this place?” The racket coming from inside was off-putting. I was never one to turn down a party, but not right now. Not like this. I was battered inside and out. My trust shot. Except for this man. Maybe it was because he’d rescued me when it was painfully obvious by his one-sided conversation whoever was on the other end wanted him to leave me. Maybe it was just the fact that he’d taken me out of danger and hadn’t pressed for what had happened. I had been at my breaking point. I might have lost my mind if he’d insisted on knowing what happened. Styx had just put me in his truck and brought me here. Wherever “here” was.
Which brought up another concern. “Where exactly are we?” I had to know if I was going to figure out what to do next.
“Somerset, Kentucky. This is the Bones compound.” He climbed the three steps to the porch just outside the entrance.
“You said something about Bones before. What’s Bones?”
“An MC. Motorcycle Club.”
“Aren’t those filled with thugs and outlaws?” I wrinkled my nose but didn’t let go of Styx’s hand.
He shrugged. “Some are, I suppose. We skirt the law sometimes, but I don’t think we’re thugs.”
I looked at him for the first time. Really looked at him. He was older than me by several years. At least a decade if not more. There was some gray in his beard and at his temples, and lines fanning out from his eyes. But he was fit. Muscular and lean. He had tattoos creeping down his arms and the side of his neck. He had on a tight black tee. I had to wonder if those tattoos decorated his chest or back as well. Or maybe his lean hips encased in denim. Were there tattoos hidden there too? He was beautiful to look at, but terrifying all the same. I loved the feel of his hand holding mine, but I wasn’t fooled. This man would want a strong woman. Not one like me. Broken. Used. Scared. No. He’d feel pity. He’d want to be a white knight. Lord knew I needed one.
The second we walked inside the big room, a roar or greeting went up, and several men stepped forward with women at their sides. It was early in the morning. I estimated about seven or so, but the great room was full of men and women. The men all wore black vests with patches that indicated what looked like their names and rank within the club. One with the name Cain on one shoulder and President on the other stepped forward, offering his hand to Styx.
“Good to see you, Styx. Red keepin’ you straight?”
“As anyone could, I suppose.” Styx pulled me closer and put his arms around me gently. “This is Jolene. She could use Mama’s care, if she’s available.”
Cain glanced at me then back at Styx with a raised eyebrow. Styx just leveled him with a steady gaze.
“Mama’s been waiting for her,” the woman at Cain’s side said. She reached for me, pulling me from Styx gently but firmly. She frowned at Styx but said nothing about his proprietary gesture. “I’m Angel,” she said. “Cain’s my husband. He’s president of Bones, but don’t let that scare you off. He’s always here if you need him. All the boys are.”
“Why would I need them?” I asked, truly puzzled.
“To take care of… problems you can’t otherwise solve yourself.”
“I don’t have anything like that,” I said, getting exactly what she meant. “Anything that needs taken care of, I’ll do myself.”
Angel glanced up at Cain. “I’m sure you can,” she said softly. “They just like to make it so you don’t have to.” Then she smiled gently. “Come on. The quicker Mama looks at you, the quicker Styx can relax.”
“Yeah. I’m afraid he’s gonna get an ulcer.” I tried to make it sarcastic, but Angel just smiled. “They do tend to worry overmuch. How long have you known Styx?”
I shrugged. “Technically? Three or so hours. But I think I slept most of the way here, so… fifteen? Twenty minutes?”
That seemed to shock Angel. “Well. I can see why you’re confused.” Before I could question her further, she urged me farther inside. “Come along, dear. Let’s get Mama to have a look at you, then I’ll help you get settled.”
Before I could stop myself, I glanced back over my shoulder at Styx. His gaze was fastened on me. Though I’d tried to have all this bravado, the thought of leaving the man who’d picked me up, kept me safe, and gotten me the hell outta Dodge sent panic flooding through my mind. I stopped dead in my tracks, my gaze clinging to Styx’s.