Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 66859 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 334(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66859 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 334(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Dammit.
Rocco is leaving me no choice, and he knows it.
I nod.
Just as I do, I hear a gruff, angry voice. “Step the fuck away from her.”
I glance to my left to see all the bikers have exited the club and are standing as a united front, facing Rocco. Rocco grins, and as he does, men appear from everywhere. From the crowd, cars, behind the building. All of them dressed casually, all of them there to protect the king himself. I swallow as Rocco looks back to me and then he leans in and whispers an address and a time.
He steps back.
Riggs steps forward, seemingly unbothered by the men now waiting for something to break out.
It wouldn’t be wise for any of them to do something in front of all these people, and they know it, but still, it’s a power trip, a show to see who has the biggest balls.
“Calm down, my friends,” Rocco grins. “I was only having a chat to our friend Poppy here.”
With that, he waves an arm, and a black SUV pulls into the curb, as if it was just sitting there waiting for him. Rocco winks to me, climbs into the truck, and then he’s gone. The men all disappear as if they were never here, turning and walking away, blending with the crowd. What. The. Hell.
Beckett walks over and when he is in front of me, he reaches out and touches my no doubt red cheek. “He hurt you?”
“Just a slap,” I murmur.
My mind is spinning.
The choice I must make ... It’s a hard one.
“What did he say to you?” Riggs asks, stopping in front of me.
“He was just threatening me,” I lie. “Saying he knows you’re all planning something and he was asking what it was.”
I can’t even meet his eyes when I tell my lie, and I’m certain he knows I’m not telling the truth.
“That it?” Beckett asks, his eyes burning holes into my cheek.
“That’s it,” I say softly. “Can we go?”
“Here,” Eve says, appearing with some ice in a bit of paper towel. “For your cheek.”
I take it and put it on my cheek, pressing the cool against my flesh. It feels nice, and I didn’t realize just how much that slap hurt until this very second.
“Thanks.”
“Let’s get out of here,” Riggs nods to everyone. “Clearly it ain’t safe.”
With that, we all get out of there.
Only, for me, my mind is exploding with a choice.
A very dangerous choice.
A choice I’m not certain I can make.
19
“Hey, are you okay?” Eve asks before we reach the elevator to go back to our rooms.
I snap out of the daze I’m in and give her the best smile I can manage, but I’m certain she doesn’t fall for it. Why would she? I probably look like I’m completely out of it. I just decide to play off that I’m drunk and a little confused, that’ll work better than trying to tell them that I have bigger issues than alcohol.
“Yeah, I just had too much to drink and I’m in a bit of shock about Rocco, that’s all.”
She nods. “I can’t believe he followed us here, that’s kind of scary. Lucky we found you in time.”
“I don’t think he wanted to take me.” I shrug. “It’s fine, I just need some sleep.”
Eve hugs me, then Ramona, and we go our separate ways to the rooms. Riggs comes with Beckett and me, followed by Remy, Hank, and Hugh. I know he wants to ask me questions, and I know he doesn’t believe that Rocco came all that way for a threat, but if I tell them the truth, they’re going to lock me away and throw the key, and I can’t risk that right now.
I need to find out more about Becky as soon as possible, so I can decide if she’s worth handing over.
Will I ever truly be able to live with myself if I hand her over, though? I’m not certain I will.
But if the club gets tangled up in this ... and someone gets hurt, like Eve or Ramona ... I know for certain I won’t be able to forgive myself.
“You good?” Beckett asks when we reach the room and unlock the door.
“Yeah, I just need a shower. I have a headache.”
“Can we have a word before you go in?” Riggs asks.
I exhale and nod, sitting on the sofa as they all stand, like the big powerful men they are.
“You certain that was all Rocco said?” Riggs questions, his arms crossed.
“Yes, I’m certain,” I nod. “I was there, after all.”
“Not time to be smart,” Beckett warns, carefully.
“I’m not being smart, Beckett,” I snap. “I was there and y’all weren’t, that is exactly what he said to me before he slapped me for being sassy. He wanted me to know that if anything happens to him, I’ll suffer for it, no matter what. So, your little plan has a glitch.”