Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 76396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
I swallow, and nod, looking at her. “Yes, I have. But it’s worth the risk of at least trying to find out if I have options, right now, I live in constant frustration. Always trying to remember, getting angry that all I see are flashes of things. None of those things involve any of the Knight Brother’s.”
“Okay, well, we’ll book it in tomorrow, and go from there, okay?”
I nod.
“Are you sure about tonight?” she goes on to ask, walking in behind me and taking the brush, beginning to style my hair.
“Yes,” I say. “I’m actually looking forward to meeting some new people, maybe making some new friends.”
“Hey,” she laughs, jabbing me lightly with the brush. “Are you saying I’m not enough?”
I laugh softly. “Of course you are.”
She finishes fixing my hair and spins me around by the shoulders. “You’re incredible, and brave, and the best person I’ve ever met. Those girls will be lucky to be your friend, honey. So damned lucky.”
My heart expands, and I smile. “Thank you. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Just remember,” she says, grinning. “I’m the bestie!”
I giggle. “Always.”
“Good, now let’s get you dressed, and get to this biker party. I must admit, I’m more than a little curious.”
“Me too,” I admit. “Do you think it’ll be a problem, me being there?”
“With Slater?” she asks, gathering our bags and phones.
“Yeah.”
“No, I honestly don’t. But if you get uncomfortable, just let me know and we’ll leave. But try and have a good time. Remember, you’re safe there. Those people aren’t going to hurt you, and they’re not going to let anyone else hurt you, either.”
“Do you think we’ll find him, Erin?”
She stares at me, her eyes flashing with the kind of fury I’ve seen a few times. The kind that says she wants to rip him limb from limb. I fear that she’d inflict far more pain upon him, then any of those bikers every would.
“If we do, I’ll make sure he never hurts another human being again.”
I reach out and take her hand, curling my fingers around hers and squeezing. “I have no doubt.”
“Now,” she claps, shaking the rage from her eyes. “Let’s get going. I want to see what hot biker I might be able to make out with.”
I giggle. “Oh God. You’re insatiable.”
She laughs, flicking her hair. “I am a woman, you know. And those men are freaking hot. Any woman would be lucky to have a little taste of one.”
“Just a little taste?” I wiggle my brows.
“Just a tiny touch of the tongue.”
We both burst out laughing.
I don’t know where I’d be without her.
But I’m so damned grateful to whoever put her in my life.
She keeps me strong.
~*~*~*~
THEN – SLATER
I get out of my truck and glance over my shoulder towards Ellie’s yard. She’s walking down the sidewalk quickly, head down, blond hair falling around her shoulders and covering most of her face. I’m not a hundred percent sure, but I’d take a wild guess and say she’s crying. She turns and rushes up the front path, swiping at her face, small fists clenched.
Yep.
Crying.
I should leave it be and walk inside the house, not going anywhere near her, but curiosity has me turning in her direction and calling out to her. At the sound of my voice, she pauses, but doesn’t look up. She does keep her fists clenched. I walk over, boots crunching on the ground as I near. When I reach her, she doesn’t look up.
“How come you’re cryin’, Ellie?”
“I’m fine, I’m busy so...”
“Look at me.”
She hesitates, keeping her head down.
I don’t take no for an answer, and hook my finger under her jaw, tipping her head back. She looks up at me, and my chest clenches with rage at the sight of her bruising eye. Somebody hit her. Somebody raised a fist to this tiny, beautiful creature and hurt her. How in the fuck could anyone ever hurt her? Look at her? She’s a fucking doll.
“Who did this?” I growl.
“It’s nothing, please let me go.”
“I’ll follow you around until you fuckin’ tell me what happened, so, start talking.”
She jerks her head from my grips, and I see a slither of that feisty nature she keeps locked away inside.
“It was just a silly argument at school.”
“A black eye ain’t a silly argument, darlin’.”
My kind comment seems to catch of guard and she stares at me for a moment, blinks a few times and then says, “There’s this girl at school. She doesn’t like me. That’s all.”
“Gotta be more than just not likin’ you, honey. Nobody likes anyone in high school, only a special few end up lookin’ like you look right now. So, you can either tell me the truth, or I can ask Damon and get him involved...”
Her eyes widen. “Please don’t do that. I don’t want...”
“Then speak.”