Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 63967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 320(@200wpm)___ 256(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 320(@200wpm)___ 256(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
“Pussy shit,” I murmur to myself.
“No doubt, but the MC guys grow their numbers, and beating up a brother ups their street cred on the inside.”
“Fuckin’ politics,” I grumble. This shit is so stupid, and I’d rather fight it out on the inside than do dumb shit that keeps me in here longer than I have to be. “Okay, so I need to watch out for the Latin Mafia in here. What’s their reach on the outside?”
Riot blows out a long breath and shakes his head. “Depends on the day or the week, honestly. They’re a gang for hire, willing to do the dirty work for pretty much anybody willing to pay. It’s a good way to make a buck but makes it hard as fuck to figure out if their beef is with you or if it’s a beef for hire.”
“Well, fuck.”
Riot laughs. “Right?”
“I might be looking at another charge after that fight with Olivera, so I’m not trying to stay in this fucking place any longer than it takes my lawyer to get me the hell out of here.”
I can plan a mission to take out a terrorist or rescue a diplomat on one hour of sleep and my team behind me, but this shit is out of my wheelhouse.
“You gotta be careful, man. But I got a plan forming.” He smiles as he taps his temple, “and I think it’ll work for both of us.”
I lean forward, a rapt audience. “I’m all fuckin’ ears, man.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Sophie
Instead of feeling rested and ready to do something productive, I’m frantic, exhausted, and so fucking on edge that I can barely see straight.
My building is full of ambient noises. Doors shutting, the low muffle of television shows, early morning news, all of it just the right amount of sound to make me feel not quite so alone.
I creep over to the window and peek outside. My shoulders sag in relief as I look up and down the block and find the black car gone.
“Finally,” I groan and double-check the door locks before slipping into the shower.
The hot water does fuck all to wake me up or wash away my fear, but I’m clean, and that’s a good first step. I pull out an outfit that doesn’t make me feel fat and think about where I plan to go first. Instinct tells me to head to the clinic, but there’s someplace else I can go for answers.
The Reckless Souls clubhouse.
Dressed in a pair of jeans that hug my curves and give me the confidence boost I need to ask for answers I’m not sure I have a right to know.
I pair it with a gauzy peach blouse and slap some makeup on my face so I don’t look like I’m dead. Then I pull my hair into a ponytail for convenience, and I’m ready to go.
Because there’s no still no sign of the black car, I feel good as I slip behind the wheel and make my way to the biker headquarters. Nova’s world isn’t my world, but he’s been a friend for years, and I need to know what’s going on. If I’m safe or in danger.
Stone is standing outside with another biker I haven’t met, which is odd. “Hey, Stone. Is Ace around?”
“Yeah, he’s inside. What’s up?” he says, and I notice the other biker is standing there, stoic.
“Not much, just wondering what’s happening. You know, with the clinic and all. Is Nova okay?” I ask, hoping to get some information.
Stone opens the door and lets me in. “Go on in, Nurse Sophie. Ace’ll talk to you about it.”
I nod and say, “Thanks, Stone. I appreciate it.”
It’s not even noon yet, but the clubhouse is bustling with activity. Women mill about with a purpose. Some are serving drinks, and others are sitting around talking quietly. There’s a woman with blue hair and another pretty woman with a toddler next to the bitchy pregnant chick from before. Only she’s not pregnant anymore.
It’s all very…homey. More than I thought it would be.
“Sophie? How are you? What’re you doing here?” Ace stops about two feet in front of me, his dark brows pulled into a confused frown.
I fix my gaze at the President of the MC. Sure, he’s as tough as they come, but so is Dr. Nova, so Ace doesn’t scare me at all. “I’m here because things are getting weird. And kind of scary. Where’s Nova?”
I tell him about the blue car trying to run me off the road. “And then yesterday I was heading to the clinic when I saw the news, and I noticed a different car following me. I hauled ass back home, but you know what? That car sat there all night.”
“Sophie,” he begins as if I’m some hysterical woman, and that pisses me off.
“Ask me how I know they were out there all night, Ace.”