Total pages in book: 150
Estimated words: 142818 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142818 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
“We run guns,” he answered without hesitation. “On occasion, we provide protection. Don’t kill for hire. Have legitimate businesses too. Garage earns enough. As does the bar. But majority of the club’s capital comes from—”
“Running guns,” I finished for him.
He nodded.
“I’m for gun control,” I informed him.
“I’m aware,” he replied evenly.
“I’ve protested about it.”
“I’m also aware.”
I scratched my cheek. “Does the club have any plans to … I don’t know, go legit or whatever?” I knew there were plenty of motorcycle clubs around the country that didn’t break the law. The term one percenter existed for a reason. The other 99 percent of motorcyclists were law abiding citizens, according to the American Motorcyclist Association.
Elden’s lips flattened into a thin line. “Not that I know of.”
I regarded him. “Can’t you make that happen?”
“Above my pay grade, baby,” he shook his head, stroking my jaw.
I considered this. The club ran guns. It shouldn’t have been a surprise. They were an outlaw motorcycle club. The outlaw part communicated the fact that they lived outside the law. They had really nice appliances, they had top shelf booze, an impressive compound, fancy motorcycles, and each member who owned a house owned a really kickass house.
They earned good money from their various criminal and noncriminal enterprises.
Those enterprises were also responsible for almost the entire club getting murdered one Christmas.
An icy chill slithered over my skin.
I clutched at Elden’s cut. “You’re not allowed to die.”
His eyes crinkled at the corners, gaze turning hard. “I don’t plan on it, Violet.”
“Of course, you don’t plan on it,” I frowned. “But you’re involved in things that put you in danger on a daily basis. I know you’re tough and strong and badass, but as far as I know, you’re not bulletproof. And you run guns. Which contain bullets. Which likely pisses off rival people who are in possession of guns. With bullets.”
“Take a breath, baby,” Elden pressed the palm of his hand against my cheek.
I scowled at him, though I had been ready to rant much longer without breathing and might’ve passed out.
“And you’re breaking the law,” I added once said breath was had.
“Aware of that,” he murmured.
“You’re breaking the law, and the new sheriff is intent on bringing down the Sons of Templar,” I babbled. “He wants to put you in prison again. You don’t like small places. I’m not going to let you go to prison again.”
A vein pulsated in his forehead. “How do you know the new sheriff is targeting the club?”
“Ollie hacked the department’s computers,” I replied, too deep in my spiral to worry about the change in Elden’s tone.
I was not too deep to see his reaction to my words, though. His body stiffened, and he got all broody and dangerous once more, looking at me through heavy lids.
“Ollie, your roommate hacked into police computers?” he repeated.
Now I worried about his tone. But it was much too late.
I pursed my lips.
“You better fuckin’ answer me, Violet.”
I let out a dramatic sigh. “Yes, Ollie hacked the computers. No, it was not my idea. I didn’t even know about it. Sariah wanted to … research the town,” I shrugged. I figured it wouldn’t be the best idea to tell him about the podcast she was still determined to start.
“I should’ve fuckin’ known it was Sariah,” he grumbled.
“You better not be making insinuations about my best friend,” I narrowed my gaze on him.
“I’m not makin’ insinuations,” he scoffed. “Your best friend is fuckin’ insane.”
“Don’t you dare talk about her like that,” I bristled, ready to go to battle for my friend.
Elden blew out a long breath. “Not sayin’ she’s insane in a bad way,” he gripped the back of his neck. “Every bitch in this fuckin’ club is insane. It’s why their men love them like they do. Keep us on our toes. It’s why Colby can’t keep his fuckin’ eyes off your best friend.”
I perked up. “Colby can’t keep his eyes off Sariah?”
Elden looked at me like I was an idiot. “It’s pretty fuckin’ obvious. How have you not noticed?”
I rolled my eyes. “I don’t know. Maybe because a lot of my life is spent throwing up these days.”
He ran his hand through his hair. “How did we go from talkin’ about the club to this?”
“You’re with me… I can migrate from topic to topic with ease, so keep up, or get left behind.”
Elden’s face softened. “No way you’re leavin’ me behind, baby.”
My insides melted.
“And I’m never leavin’ you,” he promised, stroking my face.
My previously melty insides twisted as we made our way back to the original conversation.
“You can’t promise that,” I whispered.
He searched my face. “This gonna cause a problem between us, Violet? What the club does?”
I didn’t answer him right away, though I wanted to tell him that nothing would ever and could never cause a problem between us. My heart wanted to say that, but my head, my ethics, my morals weren’t so sure. Coming upon my mother being involved in a motorcycle club had been quite the shock, coupled with the truth about my father. Then there was the unplanned pregnancy and existential crisis… My focus had been on other things.