Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 41097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 205(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 137(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 41097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 205(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 137(@300wpm)
I smiled as we pulled onto the road leading to the Black Reign compound. Reaching over, I squeezed Ice’s knee. He winked at me.
“You good, honey?”
“I can honestly say I don’t think I’ve been better in my life.” I knew the smile on my face stretched from ear to ear. I couldn’t remember a time when I was as happy as I was right now.
The distant rumble of motorcycles came to me faintly on the breeze where the windows were down. OK, so they weren’t exactly down because of choice. They were broken and Red had removed the rest of the glass so I didn’t get injured. He and Grease had followed us, but it wasn’t Red’s bike or the truck and trailer Grease had been driving I was hearing.
As we made it to the gate, I saw a couple motorcycles fall into line behind us. Then a few more. By the time we got to the compound, there were a couple of dozen bikers, some with old ladies behind them, proudly rolling in with us.
“Oh, my God! How many bikers did you bring with you, Ice?”
“No one. Red and Grease did it on their own. Not sure where everyone else came from…” He trailed off before a huge grin split his face. “My brothers.”
“From Bane?”
“Yeah.” He glanced at me, that grin turning into a smile of contented satisfaction. “And Bones.”
“They came all this way? Why?”
“Dunno. Guess we’ll find out shortly.”
We pulled into the parking lot, and Ice tugged me until I slid across the seat and out his side with him. Bikes pulled up all around us as the men riding them revved their motors. Black Reign members filed out of the main clubhouse to greet everyone with claps on the back and bro hugs.
“Hey there, prez.” Daniel -- Cyclone -- gave his brother a firm handshake. “Thought we’d come see how the two of you were settling in.”
“Word got around fast, huh.” Ice shook his head, rolling his eyes even as he smiled.
“Well, once Suzie found out what you were up against, I got the guys together and headed this way. Thorn sent a contingent as well just to piss off El Diablo.”
“Why do I get the feeling you’re not talking about that fucker Almond.” Ice narrowed his eyes at Cyclone.
“That scrawny runt? Hell, no. If you couldn’t deal with the likes of him, you don’t need to be president of Bones. No. We knew you had him covered.” The man grinned. “I was talking about El Diablo.”
“What?” I gasped. “You all came here to support Ice against my father?”
“Well, sweetheart, he’s a pretty big deal. You know. The most prolific assassin in, you know, the world.”
“My dad loves me.” I felt the need to defend my father even though I got what they meant. “He only wants me to be happy. And Ice makes me happy.”
“After less than forty-eight hours? Yeah. He’s gonna question that.”
Several more big men with their women approached us, smiles on their faces. The women introduced themselves to me with hugs and smiles while the men congratulated Ice with claps on the back and shoulder that looked like they’d leave bruises. My adoptive sister was one of them.
“I’ve missed you, girl!” Magenta gave me a tight hug. “Dad’s gonna flip and it’s gonna be fun to watch.” She smiled brightly as she pulled back. “Sword said he’d been looking forward to this for a long time. Apparently, he thinks having El Diablo’s attention on Ice means he’ll back off him.”
“Right.” There was no way to keep from chuckling. “As long as he’s been together with you, as long as he’s known El Diablo, you’d think he’d have learned our dad better than that.”
“I know, right?”
I have no idea who stayed at the Bones compound, but the group showed up in force. Even Stunner was there, though without Suzie or their young daughter. The man looked like he was ready to do battle. Which is to say, scary as fuck.
“You ready, honey?” Ice smiled down at me.
“Ready for what?”
“You know. To go talk to your dad. We’ll have to do that before you pack up to move back to Kentucky.”
I stared at him for a full minute, letting the moment linger because it was too fucking funny not to.
“You’re scared of my father. Aren’t you?” I grinned.
“I am not!” He frowned, narrowing his eyes at me.
“You totally are.” I laughed as I wrapped my arms around his middle. “Don’t worry, big guy. I’ll protect you.”
“Like bloody hell.” He grumbled but held me close before kissing the top of my head and turning us toward the clubhouse. “Let’s go. We need to get back to the Bane compound so we can help them with the clean-up.”
We didn’t even make it into the clubhouse before my father and his two closest men met us outside in the entryway. El Segador leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed. His woman, Swan, stood next to him, a huge smile on her face. Rycks and Lyric were on the other side. El Diablo was scowling at Ice as we approached. Yeah. My dad liked to be dramatic from time to time. Good thing my mother was there to mellow him out.