Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 120186 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 601(@200wpm)___ 481(@250wpm)___ 401(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120186 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 601(@200wpm)___ 481(@250wpm)___ 401(@300wpm)
He’s still himself, still rugged and handsome as hell, but he’s also different.
Colder. Meaner.
I guess that’s my doing.
Beneath his hard exterior is sheer exhaustion. The light dusting of stubble on the planes of his cheeks and jaw is so unlike him. Kade used to be clean-cut. Guess that guy is gone. His jacket is wrinkled, his jeans mud-spattered, and there’s a hollowness surrounding him that makes me ache to the core. Even his hat sits slightly off on his head like he couldn’t gather the energy to put it on correctly.
“What does the Porter Princess want?”
It’s not a hello, but it’s better than fuck off, right?
“I didn’t mean to ambush you. I just don’t know what else to do, and I’m out of options.”
His eyes soften a fraction, then return to their hardened state. “I’d ask what the hell you’re talking about, but I don’t really give a fuck.”
I resist the urge to snap back. “I’m sure you’ve heard Saint is missing.”
He looks at me like I’m stupid. “What’s that got to do with me?”
I grit my teeth, barely restraining myself from chewing him a new asshole. “Nothing really, unless you know where she is?”
His eyes narrow to slits. “Are you accusing me of hurting your friend?”
“No. I’m accusing your brother because I think he knows what happened to Saint. And since no one in the Bishop family can shit without another one of you knowing about it, I assume you know something.”
“Well, your assumption is wrong. I don’t know anything.”
I’m not entirely surprised by his response. Kade is, and always has been, loyal to his family. “See, that’s a problem, though, because I don’t believe you. I mean, maybe you don’t know anything, but I bet Calder does.”
Kade’s nostrils flare, and it reminds me of a bull on the attack. His boots kick up gravel as he stalks closer, closing the remaining three feet of distance between us.
Instinct tells me to stand down, but I’ve never had a reason to fear Kade, so I ignore it and refuse to let him intimidate me with his size. With a snarl, he leans forward and speaks right into my face. “What you believe or don’t believe doesn’t matter to me. I’m telling you none of us know what happened to your little fucking friend.”
I take a deep breath and try a different tactic since he’s obviously in a mood, and I know seeing me is only stirring up memories of a time neither of us wants to relive. “Look, it’s not my intention to accuse you. I’m just worried about my friend, okay? She’s my best friend—my only friend, really—and I want to find her.”
My response doesn’t seem to loosen the set of his jaw or make him stop glaring down at me. “Ask me if I give a fuck? Do it.”
Fuck. Why does he have to be so hardheaded? “I know you hate me, but Saint didn’t do anything to you. She’s innocent. If she’s in some kind of danger, you have to tell me.”
“I wouldn’t say, even if I had something to tell you. You’re wasting my time. Now get the fuck out of my face before I show you what it’s really like to be my enemy.”
Goose bumps rush across my skin, and I shiver, maybe from fear, or maybe desire. I don’t really know.
“I’m not leaving until I know something. Maybe I’ll go inside, ask around, and find one of your other brothers. Calder wasn’t very forthcoming, but Sawyer or Levi might be.”
“Go, talk to them. Fuck it out of them for all I care.”
My mouth pops open before I can stop it, then snaps shut. “Excuse me, but I’m not a whore.”
“That’s not what I hear.” His jaw clenches.
In an instant, my cheeks are warm. Yes, I’m wild, and I like to flirt and have a drink or two—even if I’m not quite of age—but that doesn’t mean I’m sleeping with every single man I talk to. I cross my arms over my chest and ignore the warmth trickling into my belly at our proximity.
I’m angry. Turned on. And I just kinda want to punch him in the face right now.
“Maybe don’t listen to everything you hear,” I spit. “And if you don’t want to tell me anything, that’s fine. I’m sure everything will come to light once I get the authorities involved.”
There’s no time for me to react or even step away. Kade is on me in a flash, his thick hand circling my throat. Fear creeps into my mind. I attempt to take a step back, but there’s nowhere to escape. His firm grasp is unyielding. Air wheezes from my lungs when he gently squeezes the column of my throat, testing its limits.
I refuse to back down and meet his stare, glaring into his emotionless eyes.