Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 252(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 252(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
He scowled at the sight of two men standing way too close to the bikes. Approaching, Steele said, “Can I do something for you?”
“Just admiring the bikes. I like riding too. How do I get into the Shadowridge Guardians?” the older one asked.
“Invitation only. Go to our website and apply,” he growled. The Guardians definitely weren’t online.
A rhythmic banging sound caught his attention and Steele scanned the area, trying to zero in on its location. There! Steele stalked forward. It seemed to come from the dumpster.
“Hey, thanks. I’m Bill, by the way.”
Ignoring the men he’d now dismissed as zero threats, Steele laid his hand on the metal dumpster and felt the vibration. Damn it! Someone had dropped an animal inside like they were trash.
Jumping to stand on the lower rim of the opening, he steadied himself from tumbling into the mess inside. Dark shadows hid in the corners as he studied the debris from the roadhouse slopped inside. A movement caught his eye, and he shifted forward, testing each step as he moved to the edge of the pile. One end of a burlap bag jerked, striking the metal wall of the dumpster.
Grabbing a hold of the material, Steele hauled it up through the muck that partially covered it. It was heavier than he expected. Not puppies, but definitely something alive. Maybe a big dog. It shook, obviously petrified by the sudden movement.
“It’s okay, buddy. I’ve got you now. Hold still. I’ll get us out of this before I track down the asshole who put you in here,” Steele reassured the creature.
“Did you find something in there?”
Steele struggled to remember his name and gave up. “Come, take this so I won’t hurt it getting out.”
“There’s something alive in there?”
“Here.” Steele maneuvered the bundle out the entrance and fumed when the men stepped back from the filth coating it. Like they could be MC brothers. Bracing the sack on the opening, he jumped down and lowered it to the ground, unaided.
Holding the material away from the wiggling contents, Steele flicked his blade open and sliced through the top. A mass of dark hair popped into view. It was contained in a blue scrunchie. “Fuck!” This wasn’t a dog. He sliced faster.
Realizing he needed some help, he swung the arm holding the knife around to point at the two men still gawking nearby. “You! Go find my guys. Tell them Bikes.”
“That’s all you want me to say?” the guy with what’s-his-name asked.
“Bikes!” Steele roared at him and watched both men stumble back and race inside.
“It’s okay, sweetheart. You can trust me. I’ll get you out of here.”
He watched her head continue to move to the side to bang against the metal of the dumpster. Steele knew her mind had checked out a while ago, but her survival instinct kept her doing the only thing she could to make noise. He freed her hands and feet from the rope that hogtied her. Wiping the filth off his hands on his shirt under his cut, Steele cradled her face. He ripped the duct tape quickly from her mouth, knowing a slow movement would just prolong the pain. She gasped for air as the Shadowridge Guardians flowed into the area.
“Call 911. We need an ambulance and the cops,” Steele directed, running his free hand over her extremities to make sure nothing was broken. “Someone dumped her in the trash.”
Kade dialed without asking any other questions. The grimace of anger on the Enforcer’s face rivaled the other men as they pieced together what had happened. And the fate that had awaited her. The sanitation workers came early Sunday morning to dump the remains of the Saturday party crowd. The compactor would have crushed her.
Pushing those thoughts from his mind, Steele picked her up, cradling her against him. She was coated with leftover beer, cocktails, and the greasy bar food that The Hangout specialized in. It had seeped through the burlap bag, plastering the tailored suit to her body. A faint smell of urine clung to her, fueling his anger. They’d scared her into losing control.
“Here, Steele.” The chaplain held a soft, stuffed bear close.
“Thanks, Gabriel.” He tucked it into her arms. The stuffie didn’t care if she wasn’t clean.
As he watched, she lifted the bear to her face and buried her nose in the plush. Her banging movement ceased as she seemed to take comfort in the soft companion. He felt a tug on his vest and looked down to see her fingers gripping the edge of his cut. Steele hugged her against his chest. “It’s going to be okay, Little girl. I promise. Can you tell me your name?”
Her eyelids opened for the first time, allowing him to see the brilliant green eyes they had hidden.
“Hey, Emerald Eyes. Can you tell me your name? I’m Steele.”