Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 37654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 188(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 188(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
I was about to look to Atlas for the go-ahead when the door opened slowly. A woman who looked to be in her late sixties stood there, a worried expression on her face. “Are you from that motorcycle club Blossom’s always telling me about?”
That was unexpected. I glanced at Atlas. As the ranking officer in the group, I thought it best if he do the talking.
“We are. We need to see Blossom. She has something that belongs to us.”
The woman nodded, not hesitating. “The puppy. She said you’d probably come for it.”
“Damned straight I’m comin’ for it,” I growled before I could stop myself.
“I’m Mrs. Watson, personal estate manager for the mayor. I’ve been with Blossom since she came to live with Mr. Winston when he married her mother. She was only two at the time.” The woman seemed near tears. But why? “If you think she stole that dog, you’re wrong, though I’m not sure how she came by it.”
“She wouldn’t say, huh?” I snorted. “Wouldn’t expect a thief to confess so easily, would you?”
Mrs. Watson pursed her lips, but looked back over her shoulder as if trying to make a decision about letting us inside. When she looked back at us, she just shook her head. “I had hoped that, if you came, you’d be willing to help her, but I can see that’s not going to be the best idea.” Then she shot me a disgusted look, which was definitely out of character for what I’d expect someone in her position to show. Even if she didn’t approve of us, she seemed like a woman who’d school her expressions, no matter what she thought, as a matter of decorum. This woman lifted her chin defiantly and looked me straight in the eyes. “Wouldn’t expect a biker to have any compassion for those weaker than him. Would you?” She was obviously throwing my words back in my face, but why? Her chin trembled, and she dabbed her eyes with a tissue. Anyone could see how emotional she was. What the fuck was going on?
Eagle stepped forward, putting himself between me and the older woman. “Why does Blossom need help?” He spoke softly. Kindly. Like he gave a good Goddamn. I know I sure didn’t.
Mrs. Watson looked from Eagle to me, then to the others. With a sigh, she opened the door to admit us. “Follow me, please.”
She took us through the place. And, really, it was enormous. Each room had high ceilings, expensive wood trim, and rich furnishings. There was a grand staircase that went to the second and third floors in the front of the house, and that’s the way she took us. If it had been the mayor himself, I’d have said it was a power play. Showing off his money and therefore his power. But the room she led us to was at the top of the second floor almost directly in front of the stairs. Likely, she’d taken us this way because it was the easiest route.
Once at the door, she took out a key and unlocked it. “Blossom, sweetheart?”
A small whimper answered her, and the hair on the back of my neck stood up. Something was very wrong. I pushed closer to Mrs. Watson, and the stench of blood hit me.
“What the fuck?” I wasn’t quiet, and another whimper followed my outburst. Then I heard the soft, high-pitched whine of my pup.
Mrs. Watson stepped through the door and let us all in. The room was dark. Only a dim light came from the far corner. A Tiffany lamp on its lowest setting. Mrs. Watson led us through the suite to another open door I assumed was Blossom’s bedroom. The room was dark, the only light coming through the door from that Goddamned lamp in the first room. I could make out a small form in the bed. The scent of blood was stronger here, and that uneasy feeling in my gut got stronger.
Movement caught my eye, and the pup whined again, scooting to the edge of the bed toward me. As I stepped forward, ready to give Blossom a piece of my mind, I heard Eagle’s sharp intake of air.
“Walker, move back.” His voice was soft, but no less commanding. “Let me see her.”
“What is it?” I lowered my voice, getting the feeling things had just got vastly more complicated than before.
Mrs. Watson put a hand on Eagle’s shoulder. “Don’t turn on the light in here. You’ll only hurt her head.” She turned on the flashlight from her phone pointing upward and slightly away from Blossom. The room was lighter but not harsh, and there were still plenty of shadows preventing me from seeing Blossom well. As it turned out, I didn’t need to see any more than what I could.
“What the hellfire?” Eagle’s voice was a whisper of sound. I didn’t blame him. I couldn’t find my voice to make a sound at all.