Total pages in book: 195
Estimated words: 185573 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 928(@200wpm)___ 742(@250wpm)___ 619(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 185573 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 928(@200wpm)___ 742(@250wpm)___ 619(@300wpm)
“Kodiak.” Ace jerks his head toward the door. “Let’s have a word outside.”
I hesitate, but Birdie moves closer to Bianca, nodding at me to go. “It’s okay. Tank and I will keep an eye on them.”
Yanking a handful of zip ties from my vest, I toss them onto the table beside Birdie. “Just in case.”
I join Ace in the hallway, and he drags a hand across his face like he doesn’t know what the fuck he just got himself into. I can’t say I blame him, but he really doesn’t have room to talk after the shit I helped him with. He might complain about it, but nobody is more loyal than Ace.
“They’re lying,” I tell him preemptively.
“Okay.” He still doesn’t seem convinced. “What happens now?”
I lean against the wall and stare at the floor, trying to figure that out for myself. So far, my plan consisted of bringing them here to get the truth. But it looks like they’re dead set on maintaining their bullshit narrative.
“I’m not letting her go without answers,” I say. “It’s my life on the line.”
“I get that.” Ace sighs. “So what then? Haul her into the station and demand a DNA test?”
That would be the simple solution. It would clear my name, and they can waste their time unpacking her lies. But my nagging conscience is dredging up ancient history, trying to reignite the spark I once had for her. There’s no question in my mind— my hatred is alive and well, but so are the memories that have never died. I need to hear the answers for myself, and I won’t be satisfied until I do.
“Why can’t she just tell the fucking truth?” I slam my fist into the wall because I need to feel something, and the pain is a welcome distraction.
Ace shrugs. “Some people never will, brother.”
“I have to hear it from her.” I meet his gaze. “I need to understand what happened that night.”
“So what you’re telling me is you want to keep her here?” Ace scratches at his beard.
“Until she talks.” I wipe the blood from my knuckles. “Then I’ll hand her in myself.”
“And what about her friend?” he asks.
“She’s trouble,” I admit. “But Tank can keep her locked down at the clubhouse until we figure out what to do with her.”
Ace stuffs his hands into his pockets and glances down the hall. All our brothers are out there, and it’s a risk to have these two here. I get that. But they won’t say a fucking word about it either.
“If we’re going down this road, I need to know for sure,” Ace says. “It isn’t just about all of us anymore. I have a family to protect.”
I nod because I already know what’s coming.
“I don’t know the full story between you two,” he continues. “But I know you haven’t told me everything. This situation is about to get real fucking messy, and in the end, I need to know you can do what’s necessary to protect yourself and all of us. When the time comes, you’ll hand her over, no matter the consequences. Self-preservation trumps whatever feelings you might have for her. If you can give me your word, I’ll protect you until this ship goes down in flames.”
“You have it,” I answer without a second thought. “Our history is just that. Fucking history.”
“Are you sure you want to do this?” he asks one more time. “There’s no going back. You might not like her answers.”
“Like it or not, I’ve got nothing left to lose,” I grunt. “She’s already taken everything.”
Chapter 12
Madden
—PAST—
“Madden.” Bianca hisses at me from across the table.
I shovel a mouthful of food past my lips and chew, not tasting any of it.
“Are you seriously going to give me the silent treatment forever?”
The fragility in her voice makes me pause, but I can’t bring myself to look at her. Because I know if I look at her, all the walls I’ve rebuilt over the past week will come tumbling down again. She found a weakness in the fortress I erected around myself, only to remind me why I avoid people in the first place.
“Fine.” She sets her sandwich aside and sighs. “I didn’t want to do this here, but you’ve given me no choice.”
Ignoring her, I move to leave, but she slaps her hand down on mine, and I freeze. My eyes dart to that connection, and I will myself to pull away. But I can’t, and I don’t.
“Madden,” she pleads.
Something about the emotion in her voice tugs at the heart I didn’t know I had, and against my better judgment, I look at her. Tears hover at the edges of her eyes, and I know they’re because of me. What I don’t understand is why. She has a fucking boyfriend back home—probably some rich douchebag who has a lot more going on than I do—so why the hell has she been hanging out with me? We both know how this scenario was always going to play out.