Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 33998 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 170(@200wpm)___ 136(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33998 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 170(@200wpm)___ 136(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
“Can I help you?” Joey snapped as he opened the door, revealing four fucking officers. Four. Why the hell were four officers needed?
“I’m looking for Whiler Casey,” the one in front said. He thrust a piece of paper in Joey’s direction. “And we have a warrant to search the premises for him, if need be.”
“No,” I whispered in horror, turning to look up at him. This wasn’t happening. This couldn’t be happening. Not when I finally got him.
Whiler’s eyes were stormy as they met mine, rage simmering in their depths. Tears filled my eyes. “Whiler—” I croaked.
He clasped my face in his hands and pressed a hard kiss to my lips. “Everything will be okay, baby,” he promised me. “Stay at the clubhouse, understand?”
My lips trembled, and a tear ran down my cheek. A sob ripped from my chest when he turned his head to gently kiss the teardrop away. Then, he released me and stepped out from behind the bar with his hands raised just as Joey reluctantly let the officers inside, his muscles tensed with rage. His eyes held a hurricane ready to unleash, but Alejandro was next to him now, keeping him in check.
“On the ground!” one of the officers barked at Whiler. “Legs spread, hands behind your head.”
Vern wrapped his arm around my shoulder and turned me into him, his other hand coming up to clasp the back of my head so I couldn’t see Whiler get taken away. I sobbed, knowing this was my fault. Knowing somehow, this tied back to my husband. Because Whiler hadn’t done anything. I may not have been privy to club business, but I at least knew that much.
“You’re under arrest for terroristic threats. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand these rights I have just read to you?” Whiler grunted, and I heard them pulling him from the floor. My sob was muffled in Vern’s chest. “With these rights in mind, do you wish to speak to me?”
Whiler just laughed, and a moment later, I heard him get thrown into a table. He just laughed again, but it sounded threatening and cruel, sending chills racing down my spine. I’d never heard anyone sound like that, and it both frightened me and excited me to hear that laugh spill from Whiler’s lips.
“Fuck you, pig,” he sneered. I heard him groan a moment after something smacked him, and I flinched. Vern just held me tighter and didn’t release me until the clubhouse doors were shut. I clutched the counter once he let me go, my knees feeling weak. Tears continuously tracked down my cheeks.
“I’m sorry,” I cried. This was all my fault.
Vern rubbed my back. “Nothing to be sorry for. We’re easily targeted.”
“But it was because of me. Had he not felt the need to defend me against my husband—” I shook my head. “Maybe I should just go,” I whispered, my voice scratchy.
“No,” Joey snapped. I jerked my head up to look at him in surprise. Joey had never spoken to me that way. “If you leave, what Whiler is going through will fucking be for nothing.” I sniffled, swiping my arm under my nose. A hiccup tore from my chest. “We’ll get him out, Cannon,” Joey swore. “For now, you do everything you can to remain safe, understand? This clubhouse is under lockdown until further notice. No one comes in and no one goes without permission.” He looked at the men in the room. “Church. Fucking yesterday,” he barked before storming into the chapel.
Elaina walked over to me and grabbed my hand in hers before leading me to a table, sitting down with me. Jessie put a glass of dark liquor in front of me. “Drink it,” she ordered. “It’ll help. I promise.”
I grabbed the glass in my shaky hand and downed the liquor, wincing at the burn in my throat before slamming the glass back down. But despite the burning sensation it left behind, it did help, and my hands finally stopped shaking so badly. Jessie quickly poured me another, nodding at me to throw it back as well.
“They’re going to get him out,” Elaina tried assuring me. My eyes tracked a groove in the table where it looked like someone had dragged their knife across. “Most government officials won’t stand up to Alejandro.”
I sighed, my shoulders slumping. “No offense, Elaina,” I said quietly, staring down at the wood-grain pattern of the table we were sitting at, “but I’ll believe that when Whiler is back home again.”
She just patted my hand, not taking offense at all. Instead, she waved Jessie over to pour me another shot. “Until he’s out, girlfriend, drink up, yeah?”