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)
That was Lyric. She would take his secrets to the grave, and he would never have to ask her. Even if she was pissed at him, he knew she would never give him up. She wasn’t a gossip girl despite owning a hair salon where every customer gossiped. He knew because he frequented it.
“I belong to a motorcycle club called Torpedo Ink. Czar is the president of the club. The charter members grew up together under very dangerous circumstances. Czar saved us with his planning and his ability to keep to a code of honor. Only eighteen of us survived that hellhole, but out of it, we got a brotherhood so strong it can’t be broken. Two members are female. I think I mentioned them to you.”
“The school where you learned your assassin skills.”
He nodded and tucked her foot back into the sleeping bag before picking up the other one. “I’ve been giving you bits and pieces, mainly because I wanted you to know I could get us out of trouble. The Headed for Hell club stinks to high heaven. My club doesn’t like trafficking women and children. We especially don’t like pedophiles. Don’t look at me like I’m a good guy, baby, because I’m not. We’re a club of killers, and if we’re crossed, your time on this earth is limited.” He was brutally honest because he was taking her home with him and she needed the facts.
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Because I know you’d never go to the cops. I think you’d endure torture and never give us up. I don’t know how, but I know that about you.”
She gave him a faint smile. “I’m the loyal type. You’re the only person I choose to be loyal to.”
“You ever going to tell me your story?”
She looked away from him. “I’m pretty certain you know I’m hiding out. On the run. I’ve been on the run for a while now. I stay in very small towns where there isn’t a lot of traffic, and I fly under the radar. When I think it isn’t safe, I pack up and leave. I can pack fast and carry most things in my backpack. If necessary, I could live off the land for a long time. Fortunately, I like my own company and don’t like clutter. Like you, I live free, and no one gets to put rules on me because I don’t exist.”
That was the most she’d ever shared about her background. She was giving him the same kind of trust he was giving to her.
“I’ll want to know more at some point down the road. For now, I’m good with what you gave me. But I told you about Czar and the club for a reason. I didn’t want you to be caught unawares when you meet everyone.”
He got her eyes. “Meet everyone?”
“Yeah, babe. You’re going to have to come home with me. You can’t stay here. The Headed for Hell club will be out for revenge, and they’ll know we were the ones to kill their brothers. The club will send everyone they have after us.”
“I just told you I know how to disappear, Keys. I’m not your responsibility. I’m not anyone’s responsibility.”
“What the hell do you think I’m doing right now? I’m taking care of you. You need care, so I’m giving it to you. If the roles were reversed, you’d be taking care of me. That’s what friends do.”
“How would I know? You’re my only friend, and half the time you put spins on things just to get your way.”
That was true and so like her to call him on his shit. “That doesn’t negate the fact that I want you with me.”
She shook her head. “I don’t do well in environments like that.”
His eyebrow shot up. “Like what? A club?”
“Clubs are all about the members, Keys. Their freedoms, their wants and needs. They’re closed societies, and that works for them. No judgment, but any outsider, which I would be, is not looked upon as the family you claim you all are.”
What she said was the truth. They were a very closed club, more so than many others due to the fact that they killed people. Things like that had to be handled with care. They were used to working together and no one talked. Not ever. Talking was a killing offense. A betrayal. They would never put the women the men claimed in that situation if they could help it.
“Babe, several of my brothers have wives or are in committed relationships. It isn’t all parties and clandestine meetings. For the most part, we live fairly normal lives. I told you, I own a construction business with three of my brothers. The same three play in a band with me. We respect our women, and every one of us would lay down our lives for them.”