Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 46461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 232(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 232(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
“I don’t want to be a problem,” I squeaked out.
“Too late, bitch,” Rivet spat. “From what I heard you’ve been causing trouble since you got here. Now they’ve got one of our own locked up, and you’re the fucking cause.”
“Not another word,” Isadora snapped. “You three get back to the party or get the fuck out!”
I was horrified. Were they talking about Devan? I hadn’t really thought much about what was happening to him other than what Venus alluded to earlier.
“Want to explain what the fuck is going on, Isadora?”
At the other end of the hall, Gideon stalked toward our little gathering. He had fury in his eyes as he took in the scene. I’d never seen anyone look so angry in my life. Gideon was practically vibrating with it.
“I’m taking care of it, Ripper. These three were just leaving.”
“And they won’t be returning,” he snapped. “Out with all of you.”
“You can’t do that!” Rivet marched up to him, and I flinched when Gideon caught her by the throat and shoved her up against the wall. He wasn’t gentle about it, either. The woman hit with a thud, grasping his thick wrist with her smaller hands, trying to pry his fist away from her.
Ripper leaned in nose to nose with her and snarled. “Another word, and I’ll break your fuckin’ neck.” He held her gaze for long moments, his hand tightening around her throat. I could see the exact moment Rivet understood the trouble she was in. Her eyes got wide with fear. Then her bladder let go, leaving a puddle at her feet. “Good. Now get the fuck out.”
He watched as the three women hurried out. Then he turned back to Isadora. “Get this mess cleaned up. Next time someone gets up in Emmanuelle’s face and you’re there and don’t shut it down immediately, you’ll be the one to go.”
Isadora met his gaze steadily, but nodded once. She glanced at me, lifting the corner of her lips and winking at me before she left.
“You good?”
It took me a second to realize Ripper was talking to me. Was I? I was shaking. The adrenaline rush I hadn’t even realized had hit me seemed to vanish just as quickly, leaving me weak in the knees. Gideon didn’t miss a beat. He just scooped me up, holding me close to him. Those strong arms of his surrounded me with heat and protection, and I just lost my shit.
“I’m sorry, Gideon!” I cried. “I’m so sorry!” I wrapped my arms around his neck and clung to him so tightly I was probably strangling him, but I couldn’t seem to let up.
“It’s OK, baby,” he murmured next to my ear. “Everything’s gonna be OK. I’ve got you.”
“I’m so stupid. You’re nothing like that asshole, Devan. Judging you because I was stupid enough to fall for him is inexcusable!”
“Honey, it’s all good. I shouldn’t have come on so strong. Even knowing how fragile you were, after we found out about the babies, I wanted to stake a claim on you. Both for you and myself. I didn’t want there to be any mistakes.” He kissed my temple, carrying me down the hall. “You’re mine, Emmanuel. Not anyone else’s. Not anyone from your past, or my brothers, and certainly not that little pissant, Beaner. I needed you to know you were mine, and I just steamrolled you into bed.”
“I remember being part of that decision. I could have said no.” I sniffed, still clinging to him. “The truth is, I wanted exactly what you gave me. I wanted the promises you made. Wanted to be yours because you were so kind and gentle with me. You made sure I was taken care of when I couldn’t figure out how to do it myself.”
“Someone had to, baby. I didn’t do anything any decent man wouldn’t have done. Well, other than taking you to bed. Pretty sure I shouldn’t have done that. Don’t regret it, though, and I ain’t takin’ it back.”
Next thing I knew, Gideon set me down to open the door, and he pulled me into his room once again, shutting the door behind us. He wrapped his arms around me as he rested his back against the door. His chest heaved like he’d been running, and his body trembled around mine.
“Gideon?”
“Just give me a minute, baby.”
“Gideon, what’s wrong?” Alarm began to fill me. Had he hurt himself?
“I nearly killed that woman. When I saw her back you up against the wall, poking you in the chest, shoving you back and pinning your shoulders. I nearly lost my Goddamned mind.”
“She didn’t hurt me. Didn’t even come close. And she didn’t threaten me. Not really.”
“I know exactly what she did, sweetheart. I’ve got the whole fuckin’ clubhouse wired. There are cameras everywhere except in the rooms of patched members.” I must have looked as shocked as I felt because he gave me a sheepish look. “After Afghanistan, I got a little paranoid. I was vulnerable, and that made my team vulnerable.” He shrugged. “I guess I never shook it. I’m not trying to spy on anyone, but it gives me a heads up on incidents like the one back there with Isadora and the other women.”