Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“Are you scared of him?”
Roman barked a laugh. “Might be. If I am, ain’t no one here who’d fault me. Wylde’s a real prickly pear when he’s deep on a hunt.”
For some reason, Bella paled. She gave me a forced, watery smile. “I’m sorry, Dani. I need… uh… I need to go…” She turned to leave. Atlas, her husband, rounded the corner and met her gaze. The big man stopped in his tracks before looking around the group, searching for the threat.
“It’s all right, Atlas.” Winter wrapped her arm around Rose. “Memories are not kind at the moment.”
Atlas nodded as Winter helped Rose to her husband. He picked her up and practically surrounded her small body with his fierce embrace. Then Bella wrapped her arms and legs around him and Atlas carried her away from the group.
“Did I do something wrong?” I’d never forgive myself if I’d unintentionally hurt Bella. She was so sweet but fierce. Apple reminded me a lot of Bella. She was so sweet and kind to everyone, yet there was a protective streak inside her reserved for her inner-most circle. I was all too aware that included me now.
“No, Dani.” Roman’s features were strained, as if he too were remembering something unpleasant. “It wasn’t you. It’s the situation. The last time Wylde was this focused on hunting his prey, the compound was attacked and Bella lost the baby she was carrying.”
“Oh, God,” I whispered, covering my mouth with my hand. “Is the club in that kind of danger now?”
Roman shook his head. “No. Wylde thinks everything is aimed at you and the girls.”
“But if we’re here, wouldn’t that put you all in danger too?”
“Absolutely not. From what Wylde says, even if this guy commits or incites violence, it’s not going to be something like what happened last time. It will be something like what happened at your house. No matter what, though, we’ve learned and adapted since the last attack. No one will get close to us like that again.” If anyone else but one of the men in this club had made that statement, I’d have chalked it up to wishful thinking. But not here. I could see on the faces of everyone here -- including the women -- they meant business.
Another thump from behind the door to Wylde’s office, followed by another enraged yell, and I’d decided enough was enough. Putting my shoulders back I met Roman’s gaze with a steely one of my own.
“Open it. Then clear us a path from here to his apartment.”
Roman studied me for a long moment. I was afraid he might refuse my order -- and it was nothing but an order. Then he gave a slow nod. “You heard the lady. Make a hole.” He pulled out a key and unlocked the door before stepping back himself.
I waited until everyone was gone before taking a deep breath and opening the door. The smell hit me first. Was that Indian food? Stale coffee and dirty sock smell was next. Followed by onions. The trash was mostly contained to one corner of the room, though that was rapidly filling. And Wylde? The man looked like a maniac. His hair was on end, his face a mask of rage. Dark circles under eyes that were red-rimmed, probably where he’d been rubbing them, told the story of how hard he’d been working and how focused he was.
“Wylde, please come with me.” I held out my hand.
“I can’t, Dani. I have --”
“It can wait.”
“NO!” He roared at me before closing his eyes and taking a breath. I couldn’t help but jump. “I have to find this fucker before he does something else! I cannot lose you, Dani!”
“You won’t, Wylde.” I kept my voice calm but firm. I didn’t want him to get his back up, but I needed him to know I meant business. “You’ve been at it for a week and a half. How much have you slept?”
“Catnaps here and there. Mostly I just rested my eyes a few minutes at a time.” He was making an obvious effort to calm himself, but his eyes were restlessly moving over the eight or nine monitors on his desk and mounted on the walls in front of his desk. This was more like the basement command center I’d expected him to have.
“That’s what I thought.” I looked pointedly at my hand still stretched out to him. “Please, Wylde.”
“Dani --”
“I’m not taking no for an answer. Now, please.” It was the voice I generally used with the girls when I wanted them to do what I said without argument. Generally, for them to go to bed when they were engrossed in a movie, or a game, or anything other than the fact they needed to be in the bed to rest for school the next day.