Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23544 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23544 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
“If you do as I say everyone can get out of this alive. Except for Ruin. I should have finished him off when I took his father’s life.”
My father rears back at Warner’s words. “You’re an animal,” he says.
Warner brings his silver revolver closer to my father’s head. “Enough with all of this. I want certain things, and you’re the only one who can produce them. Permits. Funding. Simple things like that.”
My father stares at Warner like he’s lost his mind. “I’m up for re-election. What if I lose?”
Warner steps closer. “We’ve made sure you’re winning the election. There’s nothing to worry about there.”
My father shakes his head. “I won’t do it.”
Warner aims his gun at me. “Oh, I think you will.”
Tears well in my eyes, threatening to spill over. “Don’t do it, Daddy.”
Before Warner can threaten my father any more there’s a loud crash near the front of the warehouse. I hear gunshots echoing in the distance, and Warner shouts to his men to go and check on it. “Your boyfriend must be here.”
My sigh of relief is quickly replaced by crippling fear at the thought of Warner killing Ruin. I try once again to break free from my restraints to no avail.
Warner steps away, obviously more preoccupied with the commotion Ruin’s causing near the front of the warehouse.
“Don’t worry, sweetpea. I’ll get you out of here,” my father whispers, even though he’s in the same predicament as me.
I’m busy trying to free myself when the sound of gunfire overtakes the place. “I hope Ruin’s ok,” I say to my father.
Before I can wonder anymore, I see him, barging into the area with the look of a madman. As soon as he spots me, his whole demeanor softens. What I’m assuming is relief washes over his features.
Warner pulls a knife from his pocket, cutting my ties quickly. I’m yanked from my chair before anything else can happen.
“Don’t step any closer,” Warner says, holding his revolver to my temple. He holds me tightly, and I can barely breathe. Tears spill from my eyes and a sob escapes my throat as I gasp for air.
Everyone freezes as Warner takes a step back to put more distance between Ruin and the men with him. He moves closer to a back door, and I worry that he’s going to take me out of here with him.
He does just that.
“Nobody follow us, or she dies.”
And then we disappear through the back door.
There’s a car waiting on the other side, and Warner pushes me into the backseat. I kick as best I can, but it’s no use. He’s just too big. I try to claw at his face, but again, it’s no use.
He slams my door shut and marches around to the driver’s side. He manages to start the engine while still showing me that he’s got the gun trained on me.
I close my eyes as the car speeds away. “I don’t understand what your plan is,” I say, opening my eyes so I can glare at him in the rearview.
“I need to regroup. I need to think.” He drives faster, white-knuckling the steering wheel. “Now, shut up.”
I don’t. “You’re never gonna get away with this. All your hard work, down the drain.”
“Shut up,” he screams.
No, I won’t. I continue on about how his plan is stupid, but before I can say anymore, there’s a loud pop and he’s swerving off to the side of the road.
The car flips, and I lose consciousness.
Chapter 12
Ruin
* * *
Oh, fuck. I rush to the flipped sedan and check on Dakota. She lies motionless in the backseat and I pry the door open as Felix and Gunner deal with Warner.
“He’s dead,” Felix calls out.
“You sure?” I lift my head a bit to look in his eyes. Felix aims his gun into the car and fires. “He is now.”
“Help me get her out,” I shout at Gunner, unable to hide the panic in my voice.
He hustles beside me, and once we get Dakota clear from the vehicle, I lie her on the grass beside the road.
“Dakota,” I say, leaning close to listen for life. “She’s breathing.” Thank God.
Her father arrives on the scene with the other guys and rushes to his daughter’s side. “Is she ok?”
“She’s breathing,” I say. “Call 911.”
“I’m already on it,” Felix says. “We’re gonna have to clean up this scene before they get here.”
I agree. I won’t leave Dakota’s side, but I’m confident my brothers can take care of things. Gunner leaves to help Felix remove Warner’s body from the vehicle.
Dakota’s father tosses his keys to Felix. “Take my car. I’ll say I was driving here.”
“You can’t say that. You’re not hurt.”
“Many people walk away from an accident without a scratch on them.”
Felix gives a chin lift, aware he doesn’t have time to discuss other options.
Gunner, Chains, and the other guys hop on their bikes to leave.