Total pages in book: 174
Estimated words: 159159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 796(@200wpm)___ 637(@250wpm)___ 531(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 159159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 796(@200wpm)___ 637(@250wpm)___ 531(@300wpm)
“They killed your roommate?” Soleil’s voice sounded faint.
Ice made a move toward her, wanting to wrap her in his arms, but the moment he did, Soleil stiffened and looked frightened. He detested that look on her face.
Anya sent him a quick flick of her lashes, a veiled reprimand, and he stopped immediately. Czar and Blythe were next, coming from the south, and Steele and Breezy had wound their way through Caspar to park beside Reaper’s bike. Both women went straight to Soleil while their men went to Ice.
Czar indicated the clubhouse, clearly wanting Ice to move ahead of him. He knew Savage and Absinthe were probably close. He didn’t want Soleil outside when they drove in. He shook his head.
“They’ll get her inside,” Czar said. “Let them take care of her.”
“It got messy. If she sees Savage, she might freak out and then I’ll have to force her inside, and that will just get ugly. She’s really shaken up, Czar. It isn’t like she’s been exposed to this kind of life before.”
“You have to trust them, Ice, just like you trust us.”
“Where’s Lana? Or Alena? She trusts them.”
“They left this morning to pick up supplies in Ukiah for the restaurant and clubhouse.”
Ice swore and reluctantly went with the men inside. The moment the door swung closed, he went to the window to watch the women with Soleil. Blythe was the one they all counted on for calm in the middle of the storm, but he could see both Breezy and Anya were equally as composed.
It took only a couple of minutes before the group was coming up the walkway to the door. Ice hadn’t realized his heart was working overtime. He glanced at his twin, Storm, and shook his head. Storm placed a cup of coffee on the table.
“Got your text. I’m sorry this happened, Ice. You must be worried that they found her.”
Ice was more worried that she would want to leave him. He had no idea how he’d react. Everything in him rejected the idea of losing her. She’d been getting comfortable with the club. He’d made a point of making certain she knew his married brothers and their wives.
Reaper had been first, Savage’s brother, who pretty much scared the crap out of anyone who looked at him, much like Savage did. Reaper was married to Anya. She worked as a bartender for the club. Soleil liked Anya quite a lot, and they spent time together.
Breezy was married to Steele, their vice president. Breezy had been born into the life and was very comfortable with their ways. They had a son, and she rarely went anywhere without the boy. He’d been kidnapped and taken from her by her former club and she still had a difficult time having the boy out of her eyesight. Steele was the same way. Breezy took point at every party and helped ease the other women into the club life. Ice was grateful that when they got the call-out, they’d both come.
Lissa, married to Casimir, and Lexie, married to Gavriil, were rarely available, as both worked long hours elsewhere. She hadn’t yet met either of them, but he hoped those introductions would come soon.
Then there was Blythe, Czar’s wife. There was something peaceful about Blythe, but she also gave off the aura of being able to solve any problem. She was the kind of woman that could be counted on. She was accepting, nonjudgmental and thoughtful before she spoke. The men and women in the club looked to her in a crisis.
As far as Ice was concerned, this was the biggest crisis he could have. It had to be handled delicately. Soleil had somehow become his world, and it wasn’t the sex, as much as he’d like to make it that. It was her. The woman. He needed her in his life.
“I can’t believe this shit. It had to happen right in front of her.”
The door opened and the women came into the common room. Storm had lit a fire in the stone fireplace, driving the chill from the large space. As soon as they were inside, Keys brought hot coffee to one of the tables, placing mugs out for the women. Soleil looked surprised as she thanked him.
Ice found himself relaxing just a little bit. His brothers and sisters were rallying around him, taking his back, making certain his woman felt the loyalty and strength of family.
“Why are these men after you?” Blythe asked.
Ice knew Blythe was fully aware of Soleil’s situation. Czar rarely kept her out of the loop and never if she asked him a direct question. She was keeping Soleil’s attention centered on the fact that someone wanted her dead and the club was protecting her.
“I got entangled with a con artist. He’s part of a ring of con men who target wealthy women. They marry them, murder them, and get the money.” Soleil blurted out the truth, her hands cradled around the coffee cup.