Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 63967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 320(@200wpm)___ 256(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 320(@200wpm)___ 256(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
“If you say so.” In the meantime, I need to readjust to life behind bars. Again.
“I do. They’ll transfer you to Men’s Central this evening. Do me a favor, keep your head down, and stay out of trouble. Can you do that?”
A wicked grin tugs my lips into a flat smile. “You ever done time in County before?”
Her dark brows dip into a pronounced V. “No. Why?”
“Ain’t no keepin’ your head down, and trouble has a way of finding a guy like me, Noelle. But I want to be a free man, so I’ll do my best.”
“Excellent.” Her shoulders square just a little as her gaze bounces between me and my Prez. “I’ve looked into the other thing we discussed.”
Ace nods. “And?”
Other thing? What other thing?
“I’ve looked into shutting down the clinic, and it’s the easy part. Just lock the doors and put a closed sign on the front of it. We’ll take care of the paperwork.”
“Wait. What?” I turn to Ace. “We’re closing the clinic?” I have no right to question my Prez, not when I’m already in shit up to my armpits, but I do it anyway.
Ace nods again, but he doesn’t look happy about the decision. “Shit is getting hella complicated, Tank. We can’t risk Nova’s safety or the other girls who work at the clinic.”
Other girls like Sophie. My mind instantly goes to her and what she’ll think when she learns about my arrest. Will she be relieved? Terrified? “Complicated?”
“Ghost isn’t gonna let this shit drop, not any time soon. And as long as he’s after Maggie’s head, it’s not safe for her and Nova to stick around Angel Harbor.”
I frown. “You’re exiling him?”
Ace’s lips twist into a smile. “Jesus, man. Who fucking knew you had a flair for the dramatic? Not exile, but they need to disappear for a while, at least until Ghost has been neutralized.”
I nod because now Ace is speaking my language. “So, how long is Nova gonna be gone?”
“Don’t know,” he says. “We’re selling the clinic. We’ll make a nice profit that’ll help Nova and Maggie get set up somewhere else.”
Selling the clinic. Again, my thoughts go to Sophie. She’s going to be so fucking devastated when she learns the news, and I won’t be there to comfort her.
“What about Sophie?” I ask. “And Hannah?” I add, because I don’t want Ace to know I’ve been fucking around with Sophie.
“We’ll take care of them,” Ace says matter-of-factly. “Very well.”
“Of course.” The MC doesn’t hang people out to dry who do right by us, and the clinic isn’t just financially lucrative–it’s why Banger is still alive and more of the MC guys aren’t behind bars. “But I can’t do shit while I’m locked up.”
Ace slaps me on the back and flashes a smile. “You’re giving Nova and Maggie time to get the fuck out of town. He’d be killed before sundown in here. What you did, even though I didn’t fucking approve it, is giving us time to plan our next move.”
“I hear ya, brother. But I’d rather be out knocking skulls and breaking necks,” I grunt.
Noelle raises her hand and says, “Guys, I didn’t hear of this. I know nothing. Tommy, keep your nose clean and I’ll be back soon.”
I have no choice but to be patient, given my current predicament. Ace and Noelle leave, and then, too soon, I’m settled into the middle row of the sheriff’s van as it takes me to County Jail, where I’ll stay for the foreseeable future.
I distract myself, thinking of Sophie and those wicked curves. Who knew such a prim and proper chick would be such a hellcat in the sack? Goddamn, but she’s an unexpected surprise, one I’d like to get to know better.
However, as tantalizing as those memories are, I push them aside. I can’t get involved with thoughts of Sophie, not on the inside. That’s the kind of shit that gets a man killed.
After I get out of the van with five other criminals, I get processed, searched, and handed a jumpsuit, my paper-thin bed and pillow wrapped up in a green blanket. That’s enough to put Sophie and her sexy as fuck curves out of my head.
For good.
My life, for the foreseeable future, is about one thing and one fucking thing only.
Survival.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Sophie
Being back on the day shift is a godsend. My sleep schedule is finally back to normal, so I’m getting some decent shuteye. Well, mostly. My dreams still revolve around a certain tattooed biker but waking up sweaty and breathless beats staring at the ceiling all night, counting the minutes until morning—or evening—rolls around.
I wake up feeling fresh and energetic, taking my time to scoop my hair into a ponytail, slicking the perfect wingtip eyeliner to wear behind my glasses—blue to match my scrubs today—and walk into the clinic feeling like a whole new woman.