Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 199(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 199(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
“He’s right,” Boomer adds. “Not a one of us. Riders to the end, little girl.” With their words of reassurance, I relax just enough to stop crying, but I can’t sleep and I’m grateful for it because I can see how far he took me. We ended up forty miles from home.
As we pull into my parents’ home, my family is waiting for me. Even though I see my brothers, it’s the one person who I’ve always gone to comfort that I search for. My mother, whose eyes are red-rimmed and face blotchy, throws her arms around me.
“My baby,” she sobs. Those tears break me and make me whole all at the same time.
“Mommy,” I cry, needing her so much.
“I’m here. I’m here.” We walk inside together, and she takes me over to the sofa where we sit down and she cradles my upper body like a little girl all over again. “Elsa, I almost lost you.”
I sob harder and press my head into her chest. I need this.
Chapter Thirteen
Miles
Scorched Earth.
That’s what the fuck is going to happen. Watching my future wife throw herself into her mother’s arms as her heart breaks is devastating. I understand more than I care to admit. When my mom called earlier, I felt her warmth, and I needed her comfort. She gave me that added strength to handle this crisis. She’s always been the quiet solace for all of us.
“We’ll be back. Don’t let anyone in. If anyone comes here that is not on the approved list, be ready to end them,” I warn the security. “No failure will be tolerated.”
“Yes, Mr. Ivanov.” I know it’s Emiliano’s house, but it’s my woman, and I just killed for her. I plan to do a lot more for her.
There was a war about to take place, and I won’t lose.
We have twenty men available and could have another twenty ready within hours, but it wouldn’t be enough if Novak activated his street thugs. In order to coordinate, we head to my home where I have access to my advanced computer systems. My father and I can do a lot while Kyros and his team of men can track down his lackeys and keep tabs on his crew.
“We need to do this financially, Miles, and you know it.” I pressed my lips together.
“Yes, Father. It seems history repeats itself. I need to dispose of my enemy in more than one way.” He and I head to work with our computers, logging in with untraceable software and the latest malware and work to hack into Novak’s systems.
The man is a dinosaur. He’s only about ten years older than my father, but he acts like he’s in his eighties. All his security files are running on old-school McAfee. I was hacking that before I was potty trained. It’s like he’s not even trying. I wonder if he’s still running Windows 10. I try not to laugh at the old tech. It’s no wonder we were able to get to the cabin so easily.
He’s smart about some of the tech because it keeps me from hacking his cameras, but I have drones for that. My small stealthy bird drones are out on his property. Uncle Boomer loves that tech. It has become his favorite toy I’ve created. It’s one of my hobbies.
Within hours, we know where everyone in his family is and where the old bastard is located. He thought he could run after learning my fiancée was safe. Tomorrow his credit cards won’t work, then his belongings will be repossessed—day by day, he will lose everything. Only when he’s at his lowest will I put my blade through his heart while I stare him in the eyes and let him know why.
I return to my in-laws with Kyros, and take my beautiful woman by the hand. “Are you ready to go home?”
She tilts her head and her pretty lips part. “I thought you said we are going to Steeleville.”
“We are, but we need to pack, and I need some time alone with you. Does that bother you?”
“No, of course not, Miles.” She turns her killer sunshine smile on me, making my heart quicken and my length grow.
“Good, I just need to hold you.” We leave her family for the time being. I need her all to myself. Kyros holds the door open to my vehicle and drives us back so I have a chance to cradle my wife. “I love you so much, Elsa. I need you to know that. I’d never do anything to hurt you.”
“I know that.” I rub her cheek, hating that she has purple bruise on her soft skin. I’m so damn pissed that I want to bring Brodsky back to life and kill him again. She flinches and that hurts.
“I don’t want you to ever be afraid of me.”