Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 74655 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74655 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
“Hate to push, especially this early in the morning,” Malakai says to her, “but gotta ask a question, darlin’. Gotta get this show on the road today, try and finish this so we can make you safe again. To do that, we need your help.”
Charlie looks to him, her eyes empty. I hate seeing that look. That broken fucking look.
Especially because it’s on me.
“Anything,” she says, her voice softer than it usually is.
I hurt her.
And I’m a fucking idiot for that.
But maybe it’s for the best. Malakai is right. We need to get her safe. My head needs to be in the game for that. One hundred percent.
“It’s a long shot, but was wonderin’ if you might know anyone in your dad’s little group, anyone at all, that might be willin’ to double cross him.”
Her eyes widen and she glances at me for a split second before saying, “You mean someone who will go out of their way to betray him?”
“Only way we’re gonna take him down is to start a war with someone bigger. We need an inside man to do that. Someone who is willin’, for the right price, of course, to do what we need them to do to make that happen.”
“Like start a war?” she breathes.
“Exactly. Men with power that big need to be taken down by someone bigger. You cause a war for them, and we step back and let the big dogs destroy him. Keeps our name clear. Gets you safe. But we need someone who we can trust. Someone close to him. Someone willing to do some pretty dirty work. You know anyone, anyone at all, that might do that?”
She thinks on it, and almost immediately, she says, “Yes.”
It’s so quick, for a moment everyone is stunned. Quiet. Even a little confused. She didn’t have to think long, seconds barely, and she had someone. Does Shanks really have that little loyalty? Benefits us if he does.
“There is a man who is very close to him that I think would do it. I knew him quite well, though he doesn’t say much. He’s been loyal to my father for a long time, since I was a child, but I used to watch him. He’d just stare at him, like he wanted to tear his head off. I could never figure out exactly why he stayed; my guess was always that my father had something over him. Something big. Something that made him stay. It’s a risk, because I could be wrong, but I am almost certain he hates my father more than me.”
“Any chance you can find him?” Malakai asks.
“Yeah.” She nods. “He’s lived in the same place since I was younger; last time I knew, he was still there. He may have moved, but I have his name. I don’t think he’d be hard to find.”
“Let’s get his name and get to work then,” Maverick says, standing.
“One second,” I mutter. “Sounds to me like this man won’t take too kindly to people just showing up and asking questions. We need to take Charlie, too. If he knows her, it’ll be the only chance we have of gettin’ him on our side. Can’t just roll in without her.”
“He’s right,” Charlie says, her voice hard. “As much as I hate to admit it. You’re going to need me. And you’re going to want to leave the club out as much as possible. I think whoever comes, we keep it minimal. Just in case.”
Malakai looks between Charlie and me, sighs, and then nods. “Yeah, you’re right. Koda, Charlie, you can come with me to find him. Let’s see if we can get his exact location before we take Charlie out of hiding first.”
“And,” Scarlett pipes up, “I think we should disguise her, just in case.”
Girl is onto something. We don’t want Charlie being recognized and taken down before we have the one, and probably only chance, at getting this ended.
“You sort that out then,” Malakai says. “Charlie, what’s his name?”
“His name is Slater Knight.”
Bad sounding motherfucker.
Charlie gives out the last known address for him, and Boston and Mason are sent off to see if they can sight him after Charlie gives them a description.
“He sounds hot.” Scarlett giggles, and Maverick shoots her a glance that makes her cheeks flush. “What?” she protests. “He does.”
“He is,” Charlie says, her eyes zeroing in on me, and her glare getting heavier. “In fact, I think he’ll be even hotter now.”
Anger bubbles in my chest, but I don’t let it show.
I know what she’s doing.
She knows what she’s doing.
But I’m not going to bite.
Even though it’s fucking working.
“Well,” I mutter, standing up, “let’s get this shit done so I can get the fuck out of here and away from all of this.”
I don’t miss Charlie’s face flash, and then she snaps, “Nobody is making you stay, Dakoda. I’m very sure anyone else in the club will happily take over the role in protecting me if it’s too hard for you.”