Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 37111 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 186(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37111 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 186(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
“She wired?” Cain met Sting’s gaze before shifting to Warlock’s.
“No.” Warlock said, certainty in his voice. “I found all the bugs a few days ago. When we were getting ready for this trip, I handpicked clothing and jewelry for her. She’s not wearing anything that hasn’t been cleaned.” Bev gasped, trying to look back at Warlock but he hushed her, rubbing his cheek against her hair.
“Good.” Sting turned to Chloe and walked toward her, shouldering his way carefully between the Bones men. “Chloe, I’m sorry. I should have made it clear to you you’d never be in danger with our club. I should have told you I knew Bev was trying to manipulate us all, but I wasn’t sure how much you were in on and didn’t want to make assumptions. Not when I was so new in the position of president of a club I grew up in and would give up my last breath for.”
“I understand,” she said softly. “You had to protect your family.”
“Yes, but not at the expense of an innocent. I should have reassured you so you would give me a chance and not run at the first opportunity.” He jerked his head in my direction. “You good? Staying with Deadeye?”
“Yes.”
“Did some research on him. He’s a straight-up killer when he needs to be. Far as I can tell from his service record, he never missed a target he aimed for. Every kill he was ordered to make, he took out. You sure you want to tie yourself to a man like that?”
“Talk like that’s gonna land you in my sights.” I balled my hands into fists. Sting just chuckled.
“See? Bit hot-headed for a sniper, but I suppose keeping you is more important to him than his control.” Sting nodded like he was supremely satisfied with the turn of events.
Chloe smiled. “Yeah. I’m good. He saved me.” She looked down at Sword. His face was grimaced in pain, but he said nothing. “Sword saved me too. And Goose, though I’ve yet to meet him. Maybe he’s a bit shy.”
“Goose, huh.” Sting looked back at me. “Not Major ‘Goose’ Rio.”
That startled me. “As a matter of fact. You know him, then.”
“We did a tour together. So yeah.” He turned back to Chloe. “You’re right. He’s not what I’d call an extrovert. Don’t worry. He’ll have your back even though you don’t see him.”
Chloe’s eyes got wide, and she shifted her gaze to me. “Isaac…” My name was a whisper on her lips. She looked from me back to Sting.
“What?”
Sword shifted. “Sniper!” His voice was strangled with pain, and he weakly rolled, trying to take Chloe with him.
My gaze snapped to Sting and saw the red dot of a laser on his forehead. It was rock steady at first. Then it moved in a tight circle three times before switching off. “That was Goose. Letting you know he’s got your back, baby.”
“Motherfucker.” Sting chuckled, shaking his head. “Yeah, Chloe. Goose has your back.”
“I know I’m still in the doghouse,” Sword said from the ground where he was now on his belly and still. The bullet hadn’t exited his back, so it was most likely still lodged in his shoulder. “But can someone please get me to Mama and Pops before I bleed out?”
“Not sure you’re bleeding that much, bro,” I said, chuckling. Surprisingly, Chloe glared back at me.
“The man took a bullet for us, Deadeye.” She gave me a cute little scowl as she helped Sword turn over. He groaned as he landed on his back once more. She immediately put pressure back on his wound. Sword groaned and looked up at her with the saddest puppy dog eyes I’d ever seen in my life.
Immediately, Chloe pursed her lips. “Nope. Calling bullshit. You’re hurt and, while I’m grateful you took that bullet for me, you’re not hurt that bad. I bet you’ve taken worse.”
“That obvious?”
“Dude! You work for a bunch of mercenaries!” Chloe looked put out, but she still held pressure on his wound.
“We’re not mercenaries. Exactly.” Then his expression changed. “I just wanted some sympathy so maybe you’d accept my apology.” This time, he looked sincere. “I really am sorry. I’ll regret my actions as long as I live.”
Her expression softened. “I understand why you assumed the worst. My mother is a piece of work.”
“You’ll forgive me, then?”
“Yes. You risked yourself more than once to save my ass. The least I can do is give you another chance.” She frowned down at him. “Who beat you up?”
“Your man. A few days ago.”
“Oh. Yeah. I knew that.” She winced slightly. “Sorry.”
“Wasn’t your fault, baby. He did what any man in his position would have done. Shoulda done worse.”
“Well, it’s over now.” Chloe stood, backing away from Sword when a couple of the brothers helped him to his feet.