Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77904 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77904 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
I didn’t give him a chance to finish his thought. Instead, I grabbed the back of his head and shoved it forward, slamming it into the two-way glass. “Take a hard look, asshole. This is you if you ever do anything to them again. Is that clear?”
“Yeah, I got it.”
“You said that last time.”
I pressed his head harder against the glass, making it difficult for him to breathe. “I got it. I got it. I won’t fuck with her ever again.”
“That’s better.”
I released his head, then pulled his blindfold down, covering his eyes once again. We took him back out to the truck and drove him back over to his office. I jerked him from the backseat and pulled him over to the car. I removed the blindfold, then reached behind him and cut the zip tie that restrained him.
He quickly turned, thinking that I was actually letting him go, but he was wrong… so fucking wrong. When he took a step forward, I reared my fist back and quickly slammed it into his throat, causing him to instantly start gasping for air. When he stumbled back, I grabbed his wrist, twisting it firmly behind his back until I felt it crack against the pressure.
His knees buckled to the floor as he cried out in pain.
“Remember this day... Remember how fucking lucky you are and be fucking grateful you aren’t six feet under.”
I released his hand, and he quickly pulled it to him, holding it protectively against his chest. “I’ll remember.”
With that, I got back in the truck with Wrath and started driving back to the clubhouse. We were just a few miles out when Wrath said, “I don’t think you’ll be having any more problems out of him.”
“Yeah, he looked pretty freaked out.”
“Can’t say I blame him. Hell, Beckett did a real number on that guy.”
“He certainly did.” As we pulled through the gate and up to the front door, I asked, “Speaking of Beckett, what’s the plan for him?”
“Ah, hell. He and Grim have already left. It’s a hell of a drive, so it’ll take them a bit to get back home.”
“Hate I wasn’t here to see him off.”
“I’m sure you’ll hear from him.” Before he got out, he looked over at me and asked, “You good?”
“Not yet, but I will be.”
“You know where to find me if you need me.”
“I do, and I appreciate it.”
“Any time, brother.”
He got out, and once he headed back inside, I drove back over to Maggie’s place. Unlike the time before, I knocked and waited for Maggie to come to the door. It didn’t take long before it flew open, and she appeared with a worried look on her face. “You didn’t answer my calls.”
“I was busy taking care of something.”
“Taking care of what?” She closed the door behind me. “What happened?”
“Nothing for you to worry about.”
“You’re gonna have to give me more than that, Ronin.”
I stepped in front of her and placed my hands on her hips, and she looked up at me with those soul-searching eyes, and it got me right in the gut. Damn. I would move mountains for this woman. “You’re not gonna have any more trouble with Chad.”
“What does that mean?”
“We had another chat, and this time, I made my point a little clearer.”
“Oh, no. He’s going to take the kids for sure now.”
“He isn’t gonna do shit,” I scoffed. “Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if the guy bought you a Christmas present this year.”
“Seriously?”
“Oh, yeah. He’s got a whole new mindset, and so do I.”
“Oh? And what’s changed with you?”
“I’ve been trying to take this thing with us slow, but that’s not working for me anymore.”
A mix of disappointment and fear crossed her face as she asked, “It’s not?”
“Nope.” I pulled her closer. “I think it’s time for us to take a step forward, and not just a little step. I’m thinking a big one, like a really big one, and I think we should take it sooner than later.”
“Okay, I’m lost.” She looked as puzzled as ever. “What are you talking about?”
“I think you and the kids should move in with me.”
“Woah, I wasn’t expecting that.” Her brows furrowed. “Do you really think we’re ready for that?”
“I know it’s soon, but yeah, I do.” I could see the doubts flickering in her eyes, so I added, “We got a good thing here, Maggie. We can keep doing this whole dating thing if you want, but it’s not gonna change anything. We’ll still have a good thing. Or we could take that step and start our lives together.”
“I gotta say, it’s pretty tempting.”
“Then, let’s do a trial run,” I suggested. “You guys come and stay with me for a couple of weeks. The kids are off for Christmas break, and things are slowing down at the salon, so this is as good a time as any.”