Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 42128 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 211(@200wpm)___ 169(@250wpm)___ 140(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42128 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 211(@200wpm)___ 169(@250wpm)___ 140(@300wpm)
“Thank you.” I returned her smile. “I really appreciate it. I’m Delaney.”
We fell into easy conversation as I picked at the food. She told me she’d been married to the president of the club for almost three and a half years and asked gentle questions about my work in art restoration. I found myself relaxing as I told her about the museum partnership and how much I loved bringing old pieces back to life. She seemed genuinely interested, laughing softly when I admitted I was more comfortable with artifacts than most people.
She shared a funny story about how the guys would eat almost anything put in front of them. I laughed for the first time in days, enjoying the normal moment.
Then she rested a hand on her stomach with a soft expression. “Our baby girl is making me extra hungry lately. I’m five months along now, and she’s already kicking up a storm. It’s a good thing she’ll have her big brother to look out for her.”
My fork froze halfway to my mouth as my eyes widened. She didn’t look pregnant, let alone that far along. A wave of panic surged through me, but I didn’t have time to examine why too closely because I didn’t want to be rude to Savannah.
On the surface, I managed a small smile and murmured, “That’s wonderful. Congratulations.”
Savannah was completely unaware of the storm raging inside me while I nodded along as I ate the breakfast she brought.
Soren returned just as I was finishing, and Savannah stood. “I guess I’d better go make sure Kylan hasn’t gotten into too much trouble. See you two around.”
His pale gray-blue eyes found me and scanned from head to toe like he was checking that I was still in one piece. “Ready for that tour?”
I nodded and stood, suddenly very aware of how small I felt next to him. He stayed close as we left his room, his hand resting lightly at the small of my back as he guided me down the hallway and out into the main part of the clubhouse.
The place wasn’t what I had imagined from the safe confines of his room. Although there were pool tables, flat-screen televisions with car races playing, a dartboard, and a huge bar, the common room was clean and welcoming. And the brothers we saw along the way nodded at him with obvious respect, stepping slightly aside as we passed. Soren always kept himself between me and the open areas, and every time someone approached, he shifted slightly closer to me. His protectiveness was simply there, and nobody seemed the slightest bit surprised by it.
The more I saw, the more I realized the Redline Kings compound was a fortress built for the people inside it. The brothers were rough, tattooed, and intimidating, but they smiled at their women in a way that made it clear they were the center of their universe. The contrast chipped away at the wall I’d built in my mind after waking up in that ritual room.
But that didn’t mean I was anywhere near over what had happened to me, which was proven when a nightmare dragged me under while I slept in Soren’s arms.
I was back in the cold stone room, lying perfectly arranged in that ivory linen dress while Dr. Kinghorn’s emotionless eyes watched me. I tried to scream, but no sound came out. My hands were folded just right, herbs pressed beneath my fingers, and I couldn’t move, no matter how hard I fought.
I woke with a sharp gasp, bolting upright in bed as panic clawed through my chest. My heart hammered, and I didn’t know where I was for a terrifying moment.
Strong arms wrapped around me instantly, pulling me back down. Soren pinned me gently but firmly beneath him, his big body covering mine as he caged me in. One of his hands cradled the back of my head while the other gripped my hip, anchoring me to the mattress.
“Breathe with me, angel,” he ordered, his breath hot against my ear. “In and out. That’s it. Good girl. You’re here with me. Not there. And you’re never going back.”
I gasped for air, following the rhythm of his deep, even breaths. His weight and heat gradually pushed the nightmare away.
“You’re safe.” His lips brushed my temple. “I’ve got you. Nothing touches what’s mine.”
The fear started to fade, replaced by something hotter and more urgent. My body became hyper-aware of his hand cupping my face and the other stroking my side. Then I noticed the thick muscle of his thighs straddling mine, and the unmistakable ridge of his dick pushed against my core through our clothes.
I whimpered, my fingers digging into his shoulders as I arched up into him. Soren groaned and rocked against my heat, letting me feel exactly how much he wanted me.