Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 60576 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 303(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60576 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 303(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Then, I close my eyes.
The world seems to slow, and I brace for the end.
The gunshot rings out, echoing through the air, but I feel nothing. No pain, no impact.
Confused, I open my eyes to see the guard collapsing to the ground, lifeless.
Caleb is still behind me, but his grip releases me, and when I turn, I see him staring into the tree line.
There, standing in all his masculine glory, gun still raised, expression fierce and determined, is Wolfe.
I yelp in relief, the kind of relief that is bone-deep, soul-crushing, and beautiful. Tears burst forth and roll down my cheeks, but my relief is short-lived when Caleb roars, “Make one more move, and he’ll blow her head off.”
I realize they’re talking about Nia, and I slowly turn to see her still standing, that gun pressed against her temple. Her eyes meet mine, filled with fear and a silent plea for help. Wolfe stands firm, his gun still raised, but I can see the conflict in his eyes. He wants to save us, but he clearly knows the kind of man Caleb is, and I can see in his expression that he knows he’ll go through with it.
“This is between you and me,” Wolfe growls, not moving forward, but keeping his gun in its unwavering position.
“You’re right, it is between you and I, but know this, I won’t go down without bringing her down, too. He needs to pay for what he did to me, and so do you. She is the only thing you both clearly love.”
He’s wrong. Wolfe doesn’t love me.
My heart skips a beat as I glance back at Nia, praying the guard doesn’t pull that trigger.
Suddenly, a rustling sound comes from the bushes, and before anyone can react, Talon bursts out, moving with the speed and precision of a predator. His eyes are locked on the guard holding Nia, and in one swift motion, his body slams into his, sending them both to the ground.
The echoing sound of the gun going off has me gasping and rushing towards Nia, but I see that she isn’t hurt. The shot missed her. Talon fights the guard with a brutality that has my eyes widening. His fists are like weapons as he drives them into the guard's face, over and over, until he lays like a bloody pulp on the ground.
Nia stumbles back, her eyes wide with shock and relief. Talon kicks the guard once more before turning and staring at Nia. Something intense passes through them, and I know in that moment, she sees him as her savior. I don’t blame her. He just rolled in and rescued her, like some kind of hero in leather.
Caleb, realizing he's lost his leverage, roars in frustration before backing up slowly as Wolfe makes his way closer to us. "It's over, Caleb. This is finished.”
Caleb’s eyes dart between Wolfe and the trees, and I know he’s wondering if he can make an escape.
He can’t.
This is the end of the road for him.
Finally.
WITHIN A MATTER OF minutes, the entire club is surrounding the old house, and Wolfe has Caleb backed against the railing, a gun aimed in his direction. One guard is dead, the other is badly injured, but somehow, by some small miracle, Nia and I are both alive. I haven’t left her side, keeping my arms wrapped around her, so grateful she is here.
“You ladies good?” Kael asks, stopping in front of us.
“No thanks to the terminator over there,” I smile, nodding in Talon’s direction.
He’s still standing beside the guard, not willing to take a single step away in case he moves. I’ve never seen anybody take someone down like that before. He attacked him with such brutal force, it was almost as if he knew exactly what he was doing. Talon has a dangerous past, I’ve already guessed that much and watching him bring that guard down only solidified that.
“He’s scary when he’s fighting,” Kael nods, his eyes flashing.
“That’s one way of putting it,” Nia whispers, unable to take her eyes off Talon.
I can’t blame her. He’s gorgeous and rugged, not to mention terrifying.
“We’re goin’ to finish up this situation here,” Knox murmurs, walking up to us. “Take them back to the club. Get them sorted out.”
Kael nods. “You two ready to get out of here?”
I glance at Wolfe, and I so desperately want to go to him, but right now, I know I can’t. Nodding, we follow Kael to the truck the club has driven in. Once we’re inside, I stare out the window at the standoff between Caleb and Wolfe, and I can’t help but wonder how he’s going to deal with him. I can’t see Wolfe hurting Caleb, but I also know he doesn’t want to leave him to cause even more chaos.
Their past is fractured and dark, but once...they were like brothers.