Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 101911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Just as I whirl around, ready to break my kneecap on his balls, the guy is suddenly ripped away. I stumble back, and my eyes widen seconds before a fist collides with the guy’s cheek.
I swear I hear something crunch, but the music is too loud to be certain. Big Beard crashes to the ground, taking a small table out as he does.
Axle stands over him, his fist still clenched as he glares like he’s making sure Big Beard stays down. All Big Beard does is groan from the ground, loopy from the hit, as blood trickles from his split lip.
The music cuts out, and everyone stares in silence. “In case you missed the memo,” Drex says, a smirk on his lips as he walks over to Big Beard, offering him a hand up, “Maya here is a guest of Axle’s. Hands off.”
Everyone looks from me to Axle, who is still tensely glaring at Big Beard as Drex helps the oaf to his feet.
“Sorry, brother,” Big Beard grumbles to Axle. “Won’t happen again.”
Axle doesn’t say a word or look at me, before he walks away, heading back in the direction where I left him.
I swear he’s the most frustrating man in the world, because—
Never mind. I just realized this entire thing was to go along with the ruse they’ve started. To the rest of the club, I’m supposed to be Axle’s girl, because no one wants to risk letting them know who I really am.
And I played a part by dancing on him.
And he played a part by punching a guy for me.
Asshole. I almost swooned for no damn reason.
Whirling back around, I walk away as the music cuts back on. Eve stops me before I make it to the door, blocking it with her body.
“Are you okay? Did that guy—”
“He grabbed my arm. No harm, no foul. But you can tell your boyfriend and his merry band of dickwads that I can handle myself. I don’t need protection. I’ve been lying low for six months without issue. And right now, I need to go.”
I turn and head up the stairs, not giving her a second to argue, and I change quickly out of the stupid dress and uncomfortable heels. As soon as I’m dressed in normal clothes and my phone is in my pocket, I walk back out.
I spot Eve talking to Drex below, and his eyes flick up to me. I can tell he’s about to try and stop me, but I jog down the stairs and burst out the door before he can catch me.
My eyes catch sight of the tattoo parlor just across from me. The alley on either side is too long for me to get out that way before Drex is on my heels.
I don’t know Drake well enough to hope he won’t sell me out, but I take my chances as I barge in.
Drake jerks a little, a sketchbook in his hands, and his eyebrows go up as I slam the door and lean against it. I blow out a long breath as a slow grin curls his lips.
His bottom lip has two ring piercings that somehow look just right on him. And every inch of skin I see from his neck to his arms is loaded with ink. His inky black hair is styled in spikes on top of his head, and I’m almost certain it’s a crime against humanity for a guy to have lashes that dark and long.
“Hide in the back,” he tells me.
I really like Drake already.
I dart to the back and shut the door, just as I hear the door to the front jingle as it swings open.
“Did Maya come in here?” I hear Drex ask.
“Maya?” Drake asks, sounding genuinely confused.
“Axle’s girl.”
So Drake doesn’t know who I really am, either.
“Why would the roller derby girl be in here? I’m two seconds from closing up and joining your party.”
My breathing echoes back to me as a grin tugs at my lips. It’s been a long time since I hid from someone. My smile falls when I remember the last time I had to hide—I was hiding for my life because of my brother.
“Damn it. Tell Axle to get his ass out here. I think Byson spooked her. I told Axle he needed to let the guys know she was his,” Drex snaps to someone—doubtful it’s Drake.
That has me rolling my eyes for a multitude of reasons. Number one: Byson? Seriously? What sort of country grown, back-asswards name is that?
“He’s on his way,” a familiar voice—Dash?—says.
“If you see her, call us,” Drex says, probably to Drake.
“Aye, aye, Captain,” Drake retorts, making a growling sound like a pirate.
That has me grinning again.
As soon as I hear the door shut, I blow out a breath of relief. After a few seconds of silence, I hear, “You can come out now. Life is boring, so come entertain me with whatever drama has you hiding in the storage room.”