Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 72126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
“He thinks he has all the power, but he’s wrong. You’ve got power, too.” Frankie’s voice was firm as she said, “It’s time for you to come to the clubhouse and talk to Widow and Viper.”
“I don’t know.” I’d met Widow and several other brothers when they came into the coffee shop, and while they looked rough and tough with their leather and tattoos, they all seemed like great guys. They were always eager to give Frankie a helping hand, but that was because she was Widow’s ol’ lady. I was just her friend. “Why would they help me?”
“Because they will,” she answered confidently. “I’ll talk to Widow and let him know what’s going on. Okay?”
“Yeah, okay.”
“Good. I’ll text you the address.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll see you soon.”
“Thank you, Frankie.” I clutched the phone to my ear, the promise in Frankie’s voice the only thing keeping me from collapsing under the weight of my fear. "I don’t know what I’d do without you."
As soon as Frankie ended the call, Toby and I checked out of the hotel and went back to the apartment to pack our things. Thankfully, we didn’t have much. Most of our things were still in boxes. We were busy putting everything into the SUV when Frankie texted me the address to the Sinner’s clubhouse.
I was scared, truly scared, but my only choice was to get in that car and drive to the clubhouse. My knuckles were white as I gripped the steering wheel and started towards the address Frankie had given me. I prayed I was doing the right thing, but I wasn’t so sure. My heart pounded with doubt as I sped down the dark, lonely highway.
Every shadow seemed to stretch and twist into something menacing, which only added to my fear. It didn’t help matters that every set of headlights in my rearview mirror looked like his. I glanced over at Toby, and I had to hold back my tears when I saw the fear in his eyes.
I reached over and placed my hand on his shoulder. “How you doing over there, buddy?”
“I’m fine,” he lied.
“I’m so sorry about all this. I know it isn’t fair, but I’m trying to fix it.”
“But you already tried to fix it. Twice.” Refusing to look at me, he kept his focus on the road ahead. “But he just keeps coming, and he just keeps hurting us.”
“I know, but...”
“I hate him. I wish he was dead.” I couldn’t correct him. I loathed Dylan, too. And I loathed myself for ever getting involved with him. Toby was still staring straight ahead as he whispered, “I wish a bad guy would do to him what he’s done to us.”
“I don’t know how to make this better. Just please know that if I could take all this away, I would.”
“Yeah, I know.” He let out a somber sigh. “Are we really going to some biker club?”
“Yes, but you’ve met Widow. He’s always been nice.”
“Yeah, well, Dylan was nice until...”
“I know, sweetie.” I turned my attention back to the road as I told him, “But they’re gonna help us put all that behind us.”
“It’s never going to be behind us, Mom.” He glanced over at me for a second, then back to the road. “Dylan won’t let it.”
His words hit hard, mainly because a part of me believed them.
But the other part of me—the part that held on to the hope for a better tomorrow—kept pushing forward.
With each mile we drove, I’d check my rearview mirror, and I kept expecting to see his flashing lights coming up behind us. The thought of him catching up with us made my stomach churn with dread. It was that dread that kept me from completely panicking when we pulled up to the Sinner’s clubhouse.
When we got to the gate, a man came up to my window. He was a big, burly guy with a long, thick beard and tattoos. He was wearing a leather vest like Widow always wore, and he had a fierce expression on his face as he leaned in and asked, “You Casey?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Pull up front, and someone will come for you.”
I nodded, then pulled forward. Motorcycles lined the parking lot like a fleet of dark, gleaming beasts, and it was impossible not to feel intimidated as I parked next to them. I was tempted to just back my car out and leave, but I needed help, and these men were my only hope.
I looked over at Toby and grimaced. “I guess this is it.”
“It’s bigger than I thought it’d be.”
“Yeah, I was thinking the same.”
“Are you really going in there?”
“I have to, honey. I really need their help.”
“But what can they do?”
“I won’t know until I talk to them.”
Before I could say anything more, Frankie tapped on my car window. I opened the door, and as soon as I got out, she wrapped her arms around me, hugging me tightly. “You made it.”