Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 133975 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 670(@200wpm)___ 536(@250wpm)___ 447(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133975 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 670(@200wpm)___ 536(@250wpm)___ 447(@300wpm)
He reached for her hand again, sliding his thumb along the back of it in a caress. In a quiet apology. “Trying to learn how to make you comfortable in unfamiliar situations, Wildfire. I should have thought about this and prepared you,” he told her privately, not wanting to call attention to her discomfort or lack of knowledge in front of everyone. That was on him.
Lyric’s expression instantly grew soft. She looked at him with love. He had gone on hundreds of clandestine operations, most of the time never expecting to return. His brothers and sisters had always had his back, but he’d never experienced this…having someone who loved him the way Lyric did waiting for him.
“It makes it easier for me to know Seychelle needs extra care right now. I’m good at that. I can be a distraction for her. Maybe help her,” Lyric responded.
“Every time I think it’s impossible to love you more, you prove me wrong.” He meant that. He leaned down and kissed each eyelid, the tip of her nose, and then the corners of her mouth. He should have stopped there, but her mouth was irresistible to him. He kissed her, bringing her half out of her seat, one arm locked behind her back.
He tasted everything he would ever need. Her love. Who knew love had a taste? He was addicted to that taste, that feeling. She was the best thing in his life. He knew the club should be his number one reason for living. His brothers and sisters. But it was Lyric. He hadn’t even known how or when it happened. She’d gotten in so deep; he knew he would never get her out—nor would he ever want to.
“I’m going to be fine, Keys,” she whispered when he pressed his forehead to hers. “There won’t be any need to worry about me. You just make sure you get back to me.”
“I will.”
“Give me your word.”
“You have my word,” he agreed instantly. “And I know you don’t like guns, but I packed one in your bag. You keep your word to me if you need to.”
She’d killed one man, and it had taken its toll on her, but after that first moment of awareness, she nodded her head. “I’ll be safe,” she reiterated.
“Come on, you two,” Ice said. “The steam is building up in here. Czar’s giving us the signal, and we’d better get moving. Got to be out of here before dawn.”
Keys took one last look at Lyric and turned away, allowing the monster in him to come closer to the surface. They had two missions to complete on a tight timeline. The first was to get to the victims being held by the militia in the caves above Headed for Hell’s territory. The second was to convince the leader of the militia that it would be a good idea to move his people off the mountain to another location and be done with his moneymaking trafficking scheme. They wanted him to know he was in bed with the wrong people.
* * *
The helicopters set down on the side of the mountain away from the entrances. Sid Baily had given them the location of the secret escape route he’d ensured would be there in the caves for smuggling. They’d never disclosed that back entrance to those running the human trafficking operation. To his knowledge, neither had their vice president. It made sense that he would want an escape route for himself if needed.
The tunnel was extremely narrow. Keys had broad shoulders, but some of the others, Destroyer, Savage, Reaper and Master, would have to turn sideways going through. The air was oppressive, and he was very aware of the tons of rock over his head. He had never experienced claustrophobia and didn’t now, but he could see how others might.
The trip through the mountain was long and winding. There were places where the ceiling was shored up with two-by-fours. Being a builder, Keys recognized that the long passageway was unsafe. A small quake would bring the mountain down on top of them. He was grateful when they reached the end of the narrow tunnel and came up on what appeared to be solid rock with no way to go farther.
This was the most dangerous moment. When they moved that wall, they expected to find prisoners. With prisoners would be guards. Once inside, Player could cast an illusion and keep anyone from seeing them. Absinthe could use his voice to compel the women to stay down and cover their eyes.
Mechanic took up first position, with Keys directly behind him. “Rock’s too thick for me to get much of a reading,” Mechanic reported. “If I guessed, I’d say six females. All are to the left as we enter. All appear to be sitting on the ground. Again, vague impression of at least three men standing. One straight ahead, a distance across from this door, and two to the right, standing approximately six feet apart, facing the women. Seriously, Keys, it is a guess only.”