Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 132332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 529(@250wpm)___ 441(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 529(@250wpm)___ 441(@300wpm)
“I don’t know what what is?” Charlotte asks, standing in the hallway. Trinity and Heidi stand behind her. “I heard my name.”
Charlotte’s gaze drops to the box in my hands. Her body trembles. “What is that?”
“We don’t know yet.”
“Someone left it at Crystal Ball?” She steps closer. “My name is on it.” She snatches it from me and runs her nail over the tape holding the top closed.
“Charlotte, don’t,” Rock warns.
She ignores him and flips open the top. It’s not like any of us are going to tackle her.
“What is that…” She gulps and her eyes bug. “Is that a…toe? Oh my God!” Charlotte screams. The package goes flying across the room. “Carter,” she whispers. “Oh my God. Did they do that to Carter?”
“What the fuck?” Wrath shouts.
“Shit,” Murphy whispers.
Rock returns with the box. A note’s scribbled on the underside of the top flap.
Tell Merlin to answer his phone.
Each missed call, he loses another part.
Wrath steps up next to Rock and gingerly takes the box out of his hands. “Well, that narrows down our list. Got something to do with Merlin’s misdeeds, not ours.”
I meet his grim stare, then Rock’s, then Murphy’s. “Time to make them bleed.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Teller
Rage is only helpful if it doesn’t cloud my ability to form a plan of attack. I take a breath, forcing air into my lungs. Clear head. Singular purpose.
Save Carter.
Punish anyone who hurt him.
There’s a hesitant knock on the front door. I count the brothers in front of me. Rooster, Grinder, and Jigsaw have all slipped into the house at some point.
That only leaves one person who should be at the front door.
Merlin.
Wrath leaves the kitchen to let him in.
The second Merlin’s rusty voice hits my ears, I’m on the move.
My boots rapidly clunk over the hardwood as I storm down the hallway.
It’s been a couple of years, but I’d recognize this gnarled jerk anywhere.
He opens his mouth to greet me.
In two smooth movements, I whip my forearm against his neck, pressing him backward until he hits the wall. He lets out a surprised gasp for air.
I slip my hunting knife out of the sheath by my hip and press the tip under his chin, cocking his head at an awkward angle.
“You piece of shit,” I snarl. “This is on you.”
He holds his hands up in surrender. “Hello to you too, Teller.”
“Don’t get fucking cute with me.” I dig the tip of the knife deeper into his flesh, not yet drawing blood, but close. “Give me one good reason I shouldn’t slit your throat.”
He doesn’t flinch. “I got none.”
“Easy, Marcel.” Not even Rock’s deep, presidential tone calms me. “Put the knife away.”
The war inside me rages. Obey my president? Or tell my father to fuck off? I hate both options for different reasons.
“You here to help or get in the way?” Wrath asks Merlin, stepping up next to me, not even attempting to take the knife out of my hand.
At my back, I sense the rest of my brothers forming a wall between this scene and the girls.
“Marcel,” Rock says, still calm but firm. “Put the knife away. Now. We’ll talk this out at the table.”
No matter how badly I want to separate Merlin’s useless head from his shoulders, I can’t continue to disrespect Rock like this in front of everyone.
Merlin also might be the only one with any answers.
Without taking my eyes off him, I lower the knife and tuck it into its sheath.
“That’s it,” Grinder says in a low voice.
Rock’s hand lands on my shoulder and yanks me backward. My arm drops from Merlin’s throat. He bends over, coughing and choking on the sudden intake of air.
“Thanks, Rock,” he gasps.
“Don’t thank me yet,” Rock seethes. “You piss me off, I’ll blow a hole in your skull myself.”
“Great.” He rests his hands on his knees and continues coughing. “So glad I hurried out to the middle of nowhere for this abuse.”
“That’s nothing compared to what those sick fucks are probably doing to your nephew right now,” I rage.
That seems to remind Merlin that he’s not here for a social call. He straightens. “Noted.”
Behind us, there’s a scuffle and low, angry voices.
“Let go of me!” Charlotte snaps.
“Char,” Murphy pleads but it’s too late.
She throws the box at her uncle’s feet. “What have you done?” she screams.
“Calm down, girl.” He bends over and picks up the bloody box. He reads the note, then scowls. “What was in it?”
“A toe!” Charlotte sobs. “Carter’s fucking toe.”
“Oh, Jesus Christ,” Merlin breathes. “Where is it?”
“On ice in the fridge!” Jigsaw shouts from somewhere behind us. “Gotta keep it cold.”
Charlotte breaks down into sobs that tear at my heart. She collapses against me. I hold onto her, stroking her back but not saying a word.
I lift my gaze and Rock jerks his head in the direction of the clubhouse. “We need to sit down with everyone.” He shifts his angry gaze to Merlin. “That includes you.”