Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78237 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78237 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Long seconds pass with no hands reaching out to grab me, no bullets tearing through my skin, and no fists pounding into me, so I risk a quick peek and open one eye, then the other.
The first thing I see is a pair of dirty motorcycle boots, and then as my eyes travel up, a long pair of legs wrapped in black denim, and I suck in a shocked breath. Holy shit, that man is huge.
There’s a giant Viking staring down at me with a blank expression on his face, his tall form casts a dim shadow over me, and I fall back on my ass. A scream escapes my lips, and the big guy makes his move, lunging forward and clapping a hand over my mouth.
This is it. I’m going to die.
“Stay quiet,” he snarls at me, wraps his arm around my waist, and lifts me in the air as if I were a feather.
Quiet? The giant has to be kidding me. Even with my body completely airborne, I kick and squirm and grunt, hoping like hell I find a way to break free of this monster. “Let me go,” I scream, but my words are muffled thanks to his hand that covers half my face.
“I will as soon as you shut up, lady.”
My eyes go wide. “How rude!” I say and try to bite his hand to no avail.
He grins, but his hand stays on my mouth. “Rude? I’m here to rescue you, and I nearly get kicked in the balls and called rude. That’s a fine thank you.”
“Rescue me? Fucking liar!” I say.
The blond Viking’s eyes go wide with surprise, and his full lips tug into a smile. “And they tell me you’re a nice girl. With that potty mouth, I’m gonna have to disagree.”
“Dammit,” I shout behind his hand and kick my legs again, clawing at his chest and shoulders. “Put me down, and I won’t kick your ass,” I grunt, even though I’m incredibly scared that this man is going to kill me.
His shoulders relax a little, and the Viking sets me on my feet, keeping one hand over my mouth and the other gripping my shoulder to stop me from running.
“Look, lady, my name is Stone, and I’m here on behalf of the Reckless Souls. They sent me to find you while they help Wild Man, who I assume is inside. Got it?”
“Bullshit,” I spit out. “I don’t believe you. I know the Reckless Souls. They hang out at my bakery, and I’ve met them all.”
He smiles. “I’m a Reckless Bastard, not from around here. I’m just here helping these guys out for a while, lady.”
“Maven,” I spit back. “My name is Maven, not lady. I’m not a fucking Disney dog.”
He lets out a low chuckle, but it’s interrupted by the sound of a gunshot and then another. My eyes go wide, and I take off toward the door. “Wilder!”
Stone reaches out and grabs me at the last minute, pulling me back and tossing me over his shoulder. “What the hell is it about sassy-ass women and bikers? I’ll never know, but I’m also not waiting for you to get yourself shot.”
“Why? You have something more depraved in mind for me?” I kick my feet as his long legs eat up the distance across the garage. The cool night air hits my skin, and I realize how warm my skin feels, how feverish I feel. Is it arousal or anxiety? Given my fucked up life, it could be both.
The Viking, Stone, chuckles. “Depravity ain’t my style, sweetheart.” His southern twang is endearing. At least, it would be if he wasn’t carrying me to my death.
“Okay, then, if you’re really who you say you are, put me down and go help Wilder. Please.”
“No can do. The other guys are helping him, and I’m rescuing you.”
“My hero,” I deadpan and let out a sarcastic snort.
The Viking just laughs and continues walking, giving me a shaky view of the driveway and size fourteen booted feet.
Hopefully, this isn’t the last damn thing I ever see.
Chapter Twenty
Wilder
A quick peek around the corner shows Cyrus and two assholes in kuttes with the Iron Kings patches on them. They don’t look familiar, so I can only assume they’re new recruits for the upcoming war. Or just stand-ins to make Nogales feel like he isn’t a limp dick piece of shit. I draw closer to the trio, completely unnoticed, which tells me these guys are more than newbies. They are fucking green.
“She’ll be back at some point. The bitch has nowhere else to go.” Cyrus lets out a laugh-grunt, and his two friends join in. “Just keep an eye out.”
“I’ll check upstairs,” one of them says and walks out of the kitchen. The asshole walks right past me without scanning the room for any threats. I aim my gun in his direction and decide to save his bullet for later.