Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 134654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 539(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 539(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
Whoa. Where did that come from?
Grasshopper froze. His eyes were the only thing that changed from narrowed to wide. “Wow. Can’t believe after all this time, we’re finally having this conversation.”
More bikers arrived. Somehow, they recognized the tense atmosphere and beelined for the meeting room. Only once they’d disappeared did Arthur let me go. “I’ve wanted to ask for a while. Now’s a good time as any.”
I stood adrift, waiting for one of two things: a fight or acceptance. Testosterone thickened the air. It could go either way.
“Yes, I reported to my father, but only on how he’d chosen the right man. He picked you out of everyone, Kill. You’re like another son to him and I would never betray you by speaking behind your back.”
Arthur didn’t make a sound.
Hopper added, “With what you’d lived through you deserved a lot more than suspicion and control. Wallstreet saw that and left you completely in charge. I was nothing more than a friend to you.”
Never-ending moments ticked past before Arthur finally nodded. “You’ve been a good friend, Jared.”
Hopper beamed. “And you’ve been a good leader.” Swiping his thumb across his phone, he looked at the time. “Some of the brothers are here. We ought to head to Church, see who’s gathered. The rest can join us.” Turning to leave, he rubbed his forehead. “Minus the four men on patrol duty and the two shadowing Night Crusaders’ every move, of course. They’ll have to be updated later.”
Arthur grunted in thanks. Yanking me close, he kissed the top of my head. “Ready for your first Pure Corruption meeting, Buttercup?”
Wait. Church is men only …
“Yeah, Butterbean. Top-secret stuff.” Grasshopper shoved his hands into his pockets, grinning. “What is said can never be revealed—just like that movie with those rules.”
Arthur snorted. “You mean Fight Club?”
“That’s the one.”
Cupping my elbow, Arthur guided me toward the back of the large room. “I learned a lot from your father, Cleo. Let me know how I do when compared to Thorn.”
I wanted to scream that he should stop comparing himself to anyone. He was Arthur. He was perfect. He’s mine.
Instead, I asked, “You’re taking me to Church?”
Arthur didn’t reply as Grasshopper opened the door in invitation. He bowed in my direction. “After you, Butterbean.”
“Quit it with that fucking nickname.” Arthur cuffed him around the back of his head.
Nervousness tickled my insides with effervescent bubbles as I entered the large oblong room where I’d been taken the day I’d almost been sold. Instead of pizza boxes and beer littering the large table, now it was empty with neatly clasped hands of groomed and gnarly bikers.
I wanted to ask Arthur again if there was some mistake. Surely, I wasn’t allowed here.
“Kill!”
“Hey, Prez.”
Men shouted out greetings, friendship, and respect.
Oh, God, what am I doing here?
It wasn’t that I was afraid of being in a room full of men. It wasn’t even that I had no urge to listen to plans about vengeance and mayhem. It was the fact meetings were never done in the presence of women—I was out of place, an infiltrator.
This is a man’s domain.
Holding up his hand, Arthur waited until gentle murmurs and sporadic laughter died down. “I’ll discuss every facet and answer every question, but prepare yourselves for hard work over the next few days.” His green eyes pinned each brother into his seat, glowing with authority. “I want riders sent out to all the Clubs who have agreed to back us. I want memos and emails sent to the Clubs overseas to arrange additional support if required. And I want gossip to spread how fucking raging I am. How unstoppable I’ll be. How disastrous things will become for those standing in our way.”
The twenty or so Pure Corruption brothers nodded, their fists clenching in preparation. “We’ll shout far and wide, Prez. By the end of next week, we’ll own this fucking country and everyone who ever betrayed us will be alligator chum.”
A shiver shot down my spine.
Arthur suddenly grabbed my wrist and pulled me closer. “As you know, this is Cleo Price. Her father was Thorn Price of Dagger Rose. She’s mine. And I want you to welcome her into our family with open fucking arms.”
Smiles split leathered faces. Laughs bubbled from mouths.
“I take it your name was never Sarah, then.”
My eyes fell on the biker who’d joked and pried for personal information between Art and I the first time I’d been in this room.
I shook my head. “It’s a long story.”
“Too long, and it’s time to begin.” Arthur moved away from me, stomping in large black boots to take his appointed throne at the head of the table.
Grasshopper moved, too, yanking out a chair before throwing himself onto the hard seat and tossing his phone onto the table.
Lost, I stood like an out-of-place toy.
Men bowed their heads together, conversation sprouting from all corners in one loud hum.