Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 33520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
After a couple of moments, she gave a half-hearted attempt to push me away. I recognized it for what it was. She needed comfort but didn’t want to look weak in front of the man she was torturing.
I wanted to take her and leave. I wanted to strip her of her rank as VP in my club and demand she keep her ass in the compound at all times unless I was with her. I wanted to forbid her from ever torturing someone like she was doing now ever again because I knew that, though she was more than capable -- I mean, she was playing this session like a fucking pro -- it took something out of her. It would also give her nightmares. Just like Hammer’s torture had. She’d never admit any of it though. She’d put on that cocky grin and parade back to the clubhouse covered in blood, sporting her injuries like a fucking badge of honor for all to see. But inside, she would be emotionally scarred and broken.
“Maybe this should be finished in more… secure place. Da?” Venus looked amused. “I am very sure no one will hear their screams -- they weren’t complete dumbasses in choosing their location -- but now we have options…” She trailed off before giving a crisp nod like she’d only just come to this conclusion. “I think would be best. More comfortable for us so we have break between sessions. More secure so they know there is no way out for them, no matter who they manage to get past.” I knew she was passively taking charge when she didn’t think I was capable of being objective.
Venus wasn’t a young newcomer to MC life. Or even military life. She was a hardened, seasoned warrior who’d been involved with an active club and military organization for the better part of twenty years. She might not look like it, but she was in her late thirties or early forties. I knew she planned every move she made or word she said before she showed her hand. This idea got Lemon away from these bastards long enough for her to regroup, and time for me to get myself under control. I wasn’t too proud to admit I needed that at the moment.
I gave Venus a nod of acknowledgment. “The rest of the men are right behind me. We’ll get them tied more securely, shove a gag in Pinhead there, then get them to the dungeon.”
Venus cocked her head. “You have dungeon?”
“We have lots of things.” I felt my face split into a grin when I didn’t really feel like smiling as I tightened my arms around Lemon. She continued to struggle but it was still half-hearted, so I chose to ignore her protests.
“Dungeon would be perfect for these two.” She narrowed her eyes at me and I knew what was about to happen. I also knew I’d give her whatever she wanted simply because she’d come to my woman’s aid. “Your vice president says they were after me. She also says there is man headed to Salvation’s Bane to scout out place. See if anyone in compound matches description they were given. They grabbed Lemon because of pink bike. Not because she fit profile.”
“And you want a chance to find out why.” It wasn’t a question.
“Da. I am very interested in knowing who and, more importantly, why.”
I stared at her for several moments, trying to gauge her mood and her intent. She held my gaze without flinching and, I had to admit, those pink eyes were freaky… as… fuck. Besides that, I could see she wasn’t asking permission.
“I owe you for helping my vice president out of a tight spot, Venus. But you’re not a member of my club, nor do you give orders. As long as you understand that, I’ll allow you to participate in this. Understood?”
“Da. What else?” She didn’t even flinch. If she saw it as a reprimand, she didn’t let on.
“No one knows where our compound is.” I gave her a pointed look, letting her draw the necessary conclusions.
She waved me off. “Easily resolved. I got here on my own. Let me take bike back to Bane, and you can send cage after me. I can fill Thorn in, we can look for third guy, you can blindfold me when you take me back. Might even come back heavy one captive.”
“You can call Thorn from here. You leave your phone here and my tech people scan you for bugs. And you’re blindfolded from here to the compound.”
Normally, her coming back with us would be a nonstarter, but two things swayed me. First, she’d saved Lemon from more of a beating than she’d taken as it was. Second… well. I’d address the second later. Venus wasn’t ready, I hadn’t discussed it with Lemon yet, and I wasn’t entirely sure I wanted to address the second reason I was allowing her a way into our compound.