Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
“Any clothes I have on were given to me by your club. Why do I have to strip now?”
She tossed another complete change of clothing onto the bed and set a pair of canvas shoes on the floor. Everything looked to be brand-new, socks and underwear still in the packs. “Because, we don’t take chances with our home.” She leveled a look on me. “Any chances.”
With a sigh, I did as she instructed. Venus was respectful but firm, averting her eyes for the most part and only watching me when it was strictly necessary. Each article of clothing I discarded, Venus checked. And I mean, she checked. Pockets, of course, were turned inside out. The woman went around the hemmed seam, feeling for anything between the fabric folds.
Once that was done, she nodded at me. “Now underwear. Unfasten your bra and I’ll hand you new one so you’re not exposed more than necessary.”
I cringed. “Do you really have to be that thorough?” I thought I might be in trouble here, but it wasn’t any more than I expected. The only thing I had was the phone. I was supposed to keep a small journal for observations, but I didn’t have anything for it yet. And I wasn’t really sure I could now. How was I supposed to rat on these people when they were being so kind? I mean, the strip search was a little much, but if they were really serious about keeping their location secret, then I guess I understood it. Besides, I’d known this was coming.
Again, each time I gave her an article of clothing, Venus searched it thoroughly. She didn’t give me privacy to change, but she didn’t make it weird either. Once I had the new underwear on, she handed me a pair of cotton Capri pants and a black tank top which I put on quickly.
The next thing she did was pick up the duffel I’d been given with the other change of clothes. And my phone.
She unzipped the duffel and dumped the contents out onto the bed. It was like the phone was just waiting to be found because it bounced off the bed and onto the floor with a soft thud. Venus didn’t look at me or in any way indicate she was displeased, but she stuffed the phone into her back pocket before going over the rest of the clothing in the duffel.
“You know, your people gave me those clothes. They’ve only been here a couple of hours and not out of the house since they’ve been in my possession.”
“Da. But they don’t take chances with their home. Especially when woman they bring back was running from CIA agent.” She gave me what looked like a genuine smile, but I couldn’t be sure. Like this wasn’t even an inconvenience. Just an everyday occurrence.
“How long have you been with Grim Road?”
She shrugged. “I’m not really with them. Piston has idea I’m his woman, but I haven’t made up my mind.”
“You don’t like him?”
“I like him plenty. It’s whole relationship thing. Though since my sister, Millie, let herself get caught up with man, I see it isn’t always a situation where woman doesn’t have control. Millie and Shadow have very balanced relationship.” Her smile broadened as she spoke about the couple. “He is good man. Lets Millie be herself without trying to stifle her.”
“Is Piston that way with you?”
She shrugged. “Mostly. Sometimes he forgets I’ve killed more people than he has and tries to shelter me.” Venus shook her head, amusement dancing in those creepy pink eyes of hers. I also thought the casual statement she’d just dropped had been anything but casual. She’d intended it as a warning. “Those times are strangely amusing to me.” She folded each article of clothing as she talked, placing them neatly back inside the bag. “Shall we go?”
I took a breath and nodded.
Venus extended her arm for me to go ahead of her.
Chapter Five
Bear
Once Venus opened the door for Olivia to enter the main room of the house, my gaze zeroed in on her. Venus gave a curt nod in my direction. I narrowed my eyes at her before glancing back to Olivia.
“You let her keep phone?” Venus pulled the device from her back pocket and tossed it to me.
“Didn’t search her,” I said as I easily snagged the phone out of the air. “Didn’t want her to feel threatened, and it didn’t really matter. This place isn’t secret and if we stayed here very long, I’m sure they’d find us with or without her help.”
“Fine. We ready to move?”
“Da.” Venus turned to Olivia. “You will ride with me and Piston. Apple is anxious to see you.” Venus actually gave Olivia a friendly, if small, smile.
Olivia opened her mouth to say something but shut it before she did and nodded crisply. “Very well.” Then she preceded Venus outside.