Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 33170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
“Our father.”
Serelda whimpered and buried her face in my neck as I held her. Roman didn’t question us any further. His grip on the steering wheel tightened until his knuckles were white. I noticed his jaw clenching and unclenching. He was angry. Logically, I knew he wasn’t angry at us, just at the situation. It still hurt.
“We were victims,” I continued. “But I got our revenge. Maybe we should have tried to get on with our lives sooner. I don’t know. All I know is, this felt like the time to move on. So we did. I’m sorry we got you in the middle of our drama. If you don’t want to take us on or if the condition of our staying involves… things we’re not prepared to endure, we’ll work out a way back to Florida. Or, at least, to Kentucky.”
“Girl, don’t piss me the fuck off.” His growl did sound thoroughly pissed. “Ain’t no woman at Iron Tzars doin’ shit she don’t want to. We’ll make you a place to stay comfortably until you’re ready to move on or you find your place in our club. Ain’t no one gonna throw you out just ‘cause you don’t wanna be a club whore.”
Again, Serelda whimpered and clutched my shirt tighter. I squeezed her tighter as I responded. “I’ll make it known now. We don’t want to be club whores. We’re willing to work, but nothing sexual.”
“We’ll worry about that later. First thing when we get to the compound is to get you settled. Then there’ll have to be a meeting. We’ll have to discuss what to do. You know that, right?”
“We understand.”
The rest of the drive was spent in silence. Thankfully, it wasn’t long before we pulled through the chain-link gate and down a gravel road. The place seemed to have more land than Black Reign. It was ten minutes or so before we topped a rise to find a small community of buildings. Roman pulled up to the biggest and stopped the vehicle. Around us, the motorcycles parked one by one until everyone was off, clapping each other on the back and stretching sore muscles.
Roman opened the door on my side and helped us out. Serelda didn’t look at anyone. She clung to my hand and looked down at her feet.
“She gonna be OK?” Roman spoke softly, his voice a rumbling vibration to my insides. I shivered. Despite the cold, I wasn’t chilled. No. But for some stupid reason, I was insanely attracted to this guy.
“Yeah. We both need time to adjust, is all.” I clutched Serelda’s hand, giving it a tight squeeze to encourage her. “Once we get used to everyone, we’ll both be good.” I deliberately included myself in with Serelda, so she didn’t feel stupid. Or weak.
“Might shoulda thought ‘a that afore you left, little girl.” His drawl sounded equal parts irritated and condescending. Which pissed me the fuck off.
Brick moved in front of us and held out his hand to Serelda. “Come with me, Tinkerbell. I’ll get you settled while your sister castrates our enforcer over there.”
Surprisingly, that got a giggle from Serelda. She looked up at me, a question in her eyes. I nodded. I wasn’t sure why Brick was taking an interest in my sister, but she didn’t seem to mind. The mere fact she was even considering going with the older, very big man was surprising but also a sign she felt safe with him. Anything that made Serelda feel safe was something she absolutely would get no matter what.
“Go if you want to, sissy,” I said. “I’ll be along in a bit.”
Serelda didn’t say anything, just nodded and followed Brick. She took the hand he’d held out and walked with him through the door of the clubhouse? It wasn’t as big or fancy as Black Reign’s, or even Salvation’s Bane’s. The latter had a converted firehouse they’d built onto. This was simpler. While the grounds and the main house were clean, there were signs of age. Made me wonder what the inside looked like.
I took in a deep breath before turning to face Roman. “You don’t get to belittle my sister. You can try to talk down to me or make me feel like I’ve made a poor life choice, but I promise it won’t work out well for you. You speak that way around Serelda again, and Brick is absolutely right about what will happen to you.”
Roman didn’t chuckle or blow me off like he was only joking or I took him the wrong way. Instead, he raised his chin in acknowledgment. “I apologize for my tone. Doesn’t mean I’m wrong. Why would you leave your safe place? Especially if she’s not comfortable with it?”
“It was time.”
“Yeah, you said that.” He crossed his arms over his chest. The man wore a Henley to perfection. It looked like it might be a couple sizes too small and like his arms and chest were ready to Hulk out of the thing any minute. I hated that I appreciated the view when the guy was obviously an asshole. “Still doesn’t explain your motives. What do you hope to accomplish here?”