Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 142728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
He stops and considers the question for longer than I expected. “No one should do that here.”
That’s not exactly reassuring.
I shift my gaze to the clubhouse. “Willow won’t be here, will she?”
“I’m not sure. But I had a few words with her after you visited CB. She won’t throw that attitude again.”
“Oh, great.” I knew I should’ve kept my mouth shut. “Now she probably hates me.”
“No, she just needed to understand you’re important to me.”
“Aww.” I squeeze his hand and try not to melt into a puddle at his feet.
“I wouldn’t bring you here, otherwise.” In a lower voice, he adds, “Never have before.”
I don’t know how to interpret that but before I can ask, the screen door squeaks open and a beast of a man thunders down the stairs.
“Look who it is.”
Dex takes a step back. “Don’t you fucking dare.”
Apparently, his brother interprets the warning as a challenge. He wraps his giant arms around Dex and lifts him in the air.
“Motherfucker,” Dex grunts.
He sets Dex down as quickly as he picked him up.
“Emily,” Dex rests his hand on my back, “this asshole with no sense of boundaries is Wrath.”
“How could I forget.” I hold out my hand and for a second, it disappears into his large one. “Please don’t pick me up. I like my ribs where they’re currently located.”
“I wouldn’t dare.” Wrath presses his hand to his chest, like he’s offended I’d suggest such a thing. He returns his attention to Dex. “I’m running home to help Trin with something but we’ll both be here later.”
“Great.” Dex slants a sarcastic look at him. “Thanks for the update.”
“Have fun, Emily,” Wrath calls out as he jogs into the woods.
“Why did that sound ominous?” I ask.
Dex shrugs. “Everything he says is ominous.”
I turn and check to make sure we’re alone, then lean up on tiptoe to whisper in Dex’s ear, “Serena said his wife is kind of like your female SAA here.”
Dex snorts. “That’s probably true. Trinity’s a good woman. Been with the club for a long time.”
“But she’s not a member? Just a brother’s wife?”
“Right. She’s vital to the club, though. And a good friend.”
I peer up at him, curious about the catch in his voice.
“Not that kind of friend,” he says, shaking his head. “I’ve known her a long time, that’s all.”
Now I’m even more nervous about being grilled by this woman and I haven’t even set foot in the clubhouse yet.
Inside, a wall of heat rolls over me. Dex helps me take off my coat. He opens a door to a cavern of a closet and hangs it inside.
Is that a gun safe in there?
Dex closes the door before I get a good look.
A thin cloud of pungent smoke hangs in the air.
“Sexy Dexy! You’ve arrived!” someone shouts from across the room.
“Jesus,” Dex mutters.
Now that our arrival’s been announced, men in leather vests just like Dex’s crowd around us. A few hug him as if it’s been a while. Some of the bottom patches on the backs of their vests read Downstate NY.
A tall, scruffy biker leans into my space. “Welcome, Emily.” He picks at the air around my head as if pulling cobwebs out of my way. “If you’re in need of a social facilitator or emotional regulator, I’m your guy.”
I blink, unsure of how to respond.
He waves his arms in an arc over my head. “You brought an aura of anxiety with you.”
“That’s enough, Sparky.” Dex presses his hand to Sparky’s chest and gives him a gentle shove.
But there’s something charming about the way he noticed that I’m anxious and offered something to help me cope. I catch his hand. “Thank you, Sparky. I am nervous and you already made me feel better.”
He aims a blissed-out smile at Dex. Then sticks his tongue out.
Soft, feminine squeals of delight echo from the hallway, accompanied by the sharp clicky-clack of heavy-heeled boots.
“Dixon!” Shelby shouts, plowing into my boyfriend and giving him a fierce hug. “I’ve missed ya.”
Dex’s mouth curls into an affectionate smile as he returns the hug. “You just get back from Tennessee?”
She pulls away and tips her head back. “Is that yur way a sayin’ I sound more twangy or somethin’?”
“Nope.” He holds up one hand like he’s about to swear on a holy book.
Shelby hugs me next. “Good to see ya again.” She glances behind me. “I’m guessin’ Libby didn’t come with ya?”
“No, but she was jealous and wanted me to say hi to you.”
“Aw, next time maybe.”
“Hey, brother.” Rooster holds out his hand to Dex, then pulls him in and slaps his back. “It’s been a minute.”
“Were you guys out on the road?” Dex asks.
“Little bit.” Rooster curls his arm around Shelby’s shoulders, and she leans right into him.
“Emily.” Dex takes my hand, pulling me closer. “You remember Rooster?”
“I do. Best beard in the house.”