Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 154379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 772(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 772(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
I retched, though nothing came up.
I’d always wondered what had happened to her. Incessantly drawing her face that was full of fear and paranoia when she’d stopped me that morning. When she’d helped me, even though neither of us had been able to stop what had happened to my family.
I’d prayed and prayed that she made it out okay, her face behind my eyes during the countless miles we’d traveled for all these years.
But I’d run, hiding in one city then the next, and the little news I was brave enough to search for had never identified anyone like her.
I’d hoped…
“Because of Theo, I’ve had to live in hiding for ten fucking years, but that’s over,” Justin spewed. “My rule has come, and you, little bitch, are going to hand over my treasure.”
Justin edged back an inch when the loud rumble of motorcycles echoed in the distance.
Coming this way.
My heart both leapt and sank.
No, Theo. Stay away. Protect yourselves. Protect my son.
Then Justin grinned a maniacal grin. “Aww, the cavalry is coming, except they don’t know the army that is waiting for them right outside.”
Terror ripped and shredded. “Please, let’s just go. I’ll take you to where I left it. It’s in a safe deposit box in Texas. I’m the only one who can access it.”
He drew back like he was surprised I was giving, before he shook his head. “Gonna take care of these bastards first. Then you’re going to fuckin’ prove it to me.”
FIFTY-THREE
THEO
Bitter cold air lashed across my face as I flew on my bike through Moonlit Ridge, though I felt like I was burning up.
Consumed in an inferno of conviction and purpose.
I pulled back on the throttle, and the powerful engine roared as I weaved in and out of traffic as I raced for Piper.
Fear a clash of violence and desperation inside me. Terror that I was going to be too late and the refusal to even contemplate it.
It wouldn’t happen.
Not to her.
I wouldn’t let it.
I wouldn’t fail.
Not this time.
My bike chugged and grumbled as I whipped around a van then pulled out in front of it. Its headlights disappeared behind me as I threw myself deeper into the night.
Another bike suddenly pulled up next to me, Silas coming up to my side. He tipped his chin in a show of solidarity, and two more of his crew pulled up on the other side.
Rallying for what was right.
I pinned the throttle back, and the four of us blazed down the road.
Streetlights blinked and flashed as we tore through town. Cars splitting and moving out of our way as they felt us coming.
Feeling the mayhem that whipped us into lawlessness.
The truth that we would commit any crime to make this one thing right.
The motel neared, and in the distance, I could see Otto and Cash had paired as they thundered down the mountain from the other direction, the six of us converging at the same point.
Knew Kane and River would be going out of their minds, not being here. But what they were standing for was just as important.
Those kids.
The women.
This family.
I scanned the area as the old motel came into view. It was one of the only run-down motels in Moonlit Ridge. A single-story building with about fifteen rooms just off the road to my left.
Agitation stirred when I saw a few cars parked out in front of the doors.
Piper’s Volvo was by itself in the middle.
It didn’t sit right.
There was no chance Toga didn’t have himself surrounded.
Protected.
I gave a sweeping gesture for Silas and his crew to go around back.
Gut giving me the sense that this was going to be an ambush.
Silas and his brothers parked off to the far-left side of the long building, climbing off their bikes as they pulled their guns from their holsters at their backs.
They started to slink around the side to round to the back.
Unease vibrated through me as Otto and Cash rode up to my side and we pulled to a stop to the left of the Volvo.
We killed our bikes’ engines.
Instantly, it was silent.
Too fucking silent.
A stagnant wickedness oozed through the air.
Cash and Otto stood from their bikes, feeling it, too.
We all pulled out our weapons.
I leaned against the Volvo, my gun held between two hands, finger on the trigger as I jutted my chin, letting them know to cover me because I was going for the door directly in front of Piper’s SUV.
Spirit screaming because I knew she was behind it.
I could feel her.
Her soul weeping.
Grief and guilt and her ferocity bleeding out.
Otto gave me the sign that they had me, and I kept low, moving for the door.
I was halfway to it when the doors on either side of hers suddenly burst open.
A barrage of gunshots rang, and I hit the ground, gasping in shock as my brothers returned fire. Both Otto and Cash jumped behind the tail of the Volvo, using it as a shield as they deflected the attack.