Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 30245 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 151(@200wpm)___ 121(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30245 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 151(@200wpm)___ 121(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
Sighin’, I get back to work. The emails I found glare at me from the screen. They’re sellin’ her on Christmas feckin’ mornin’. These sick bastards are evil personified. They all deserve the feckin’ wrath of Monster. And I’ll gladly help.
I knew evil was out there. I find it daily while searchin’ the dark web. But this is somethin’ else. Tradin’ in human lives as if it’s nothin’ more than a transaction of livestock. They’re talkin’ about these women as if they’re possessions.
I’ve always considered Einin mine. Since the moment I realised I loved her. But the idea of buyin’ her, of goin’ into an auction and biddin’ on someone makes me sick.
Monster reaches my office just as we’re about to leave. “Tye,” he says my name with a grave tone. “When we get in there, I don’t want ye puttin’ yerself in danger. We work as a team, a family.”
“Aye.” I nod with conviction.
“If the shite hits the fan, and we need to leave, we feckin’ walk out,” he tells me. “Do ye understand me?” I’ve seen him give orders to the men before a ride out, but I’ve never been the focus of his command, not for a long while.
I look right into his eyes and nod. “Aye, I understand.”
He squeezes my shoulder, a form of affection from the Pres who is always so serious. There are times I’ve seen him soften, but it’s only when he’s with Miren. The brothers see him when he’s workin’ mostly, which means his warmth is reserved for moments like these. “Grand. I don’t need ye gettin’ yerself killed.”
“I’m not gettin’ myself killed today, Monster.” All I can think of is holdin’ her. Once I’ve freed Einin, she can focus on a future that was stolen from her.
“Right then. We don’t need to lose ye.” He stares at me, and a small grin forms on his mouth, as if he’s happy with my answer, but stops. “And neither does she.”
The thought of leavin’ Einin doesn’t sit well with me. My gut churns with anxiety. “I know. My focus is on gettin’ her away from that bastard. I’ve done nothin’ more than think about her for six feckin’ years, and now is the time to do somethin’ about her bein’ hurt. I always thought of myself as her protector.”
“And ye will be. It’s the same way I feel about Miren. Ye’re a good lad, Tye.” He slaps me on the back in a show of camaraderie.
When I joined the club, Monster was the one person who vouched for me before everyone else. I met him in a bar in Belfast one night. He was drownin’ his sorrows in a pint of Guinness while I was hittin’ the Jameson. We talked about shite that didn’t delve too deep—football and bikes. But I could tell he was hurtin’ and I’m pretty sure he could see right through my façade.
That’s when he asked me if I needed a place to stay. It was then I found my new family. He took me in and welcomed me along with the rest of the club. The brothers never questioned him. They took one look at me, and I became one of them.
Three months later, I patched in as Tech. And I’m still there. I can’t see myself leavin’ anytime soon. And that’s what worries me. If Einin decides I’m what she wants but she doesn’t feel at home at the club, I’m goin’ta have ta decide.
As if he can read my mind, Monster says, “Once we get her out of there, it’s her choice whether she stays with us.”
It’s somethin’ I’d been considerin’ myself. What if she walks away from me again? But I know there’s no doubt I’ll allow her the choice. I’m not forcin’ her to be anythin’ she doesn’t want to be. Even if I love her more than life itself.
“I’ve always loved her,” I admit slowly. “But she’ll always be free ta decide whether or not she stays with us. I understand that.”
For six long years, I’d thought she’d moved on. Was convinced of it. I can’t deny it broke me more than I thought. I was still young when I said goodbye to her.
“Then let’s go get yer girl,” he tells me with a smile before walkin’ out of the office. I grab my things and follow right behind him. I never thought I’d live a day where I see Einin again. But now that we’re about to head to France with the help of Venier, I’m anxious.
By the time we arrive in France, I’m worried. We took too long to get here. My mind is racin’ with thoughts of what’s about to happen. Our cut off to get to Einin is tomorrow, and I’m not sure what we’ll find when we get to the house.