Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 60023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
I nod.
There is a solid chance my father will search me, but it’s better than nothing.
“So we’re doing this, tonight?” I say, staring around the room.
“Tonight,” Wolfe nods.
I exhale, my chest tight with nerves.
I hope this goes to plan, because if it doesn’t...I may very well die tonight.
And it would all be for nothing.
16
The sun is setting, casting a fiery glow over the club as they prepare for tonight. The hacker has arrived and has given me instructions on what I need to do for him to access the system. Now, we just wait for night to fall, so we can go in and try to pull off a plan that could go wrong in so many different ways.
But if it goes right, then this is all finally over.
Kael stands beside me, his expression calm and reassuring, like everything is just another day, like I’m not about to risk everything. I know I hurt him, doing what I did, because he is one person I have grown closer to outside of Talon. But, at the same time, I can see he has a newfound respect for me after I told them what I was willing to do.
“Here,” he says, handing me a small knife. It’s tiny, barely the size of his palm, but sharp and deadly. “You can hide it easily, put it down your boot, up your sleeve, anywhere you can.”
“Thanks,” I say, taking it and feeling the cold steel against my skin. “What if they search me?”
He ponders that for a moment, then uses his finger and indicates that I lift my shirt. Confused, I do as he asks and he reaches forward, pulling my jeans out just slightly before taking the knife from my hand. He cuts the fabric on the inside of my jeans, right where the material is thickest, and slips the knife in the little slot he made. “There, doubt they will check the inside of your pants.”
My brows go up. “That’s genius. Where did you come up with that?”
He grins. “Not the first time I’ve hidden a weapon.”
I smile, just slightly.
I have been wanting a moment with Kael since this all went down, to ask him about what Talon told him before he left. It is playing on my mind, like a bad movie rewinding and beginning again. I need to know why Talon decided to do this, mostly, I need to know what he said.
“What did Talon say when he left?” I ask, my eyes meeting Kael’s.
Kael crosses his arms. “Not sure we should get into that one, darlin’.”
“Please.”
He mutters a curse. “Said he was goin’ in to get the kid, so that you could leave and he wouldn’t have to see you again.”
The words hit like a physical blow, and I swallow hard, trying not to let it show.
I knew it, deep down, but hearing it...God.
“Ouch,” I murmur.
“Let me finish,” he goes on, “he wasn’t sayin’ that because he doesn’t care, he was sayin’ it because he cares too much. Talon is in love with you, I’d bet my life on it, and you hurt him. You hurt him real fuckin’ deep. The only way he knows to get that pain away, is to get away from you, but that ain’t really what he wants.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. “I fucked up.”
Kael nods. “Yeah, you did. But you’re a good person, Nia. Give him time.”
“I think he’s gone for good.”
Kael shakes his head, a slow, knowing smile on his lips. “Nah, darlin’. He’s got it bad, he won’t stay away long.”
I want to believe him, but I wonder if I have pushed too far.
“Now, you ready for this?” Kael asks, his eyes searching mine. “We’re gonna get them out. We’re gonna end this.”
“I’m ready,” I say, my voice steady. “I can’t wait for the moment my father is exposed to the world. Everything he has ever done, it will be out there. He won’t be able to hide, and that is worth every fucking second.”
Kael nods, a grin spreading across his face. “Atta girl.”
“Hey, Kael?”
“Yeah?”
“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry. I made a mistake, but I promise I never wanted anyone in the club to get hurt. I just...I wanted to protect Lily. I know I messed up, but I need you to know that you have become someone I really care about. Before I go in there, before whatever happens, happens, I just needed you to know.”
His eyes flash, and he reaches forward, curling a hand around the back of my neck and pulling me closer. “Appreciate that, darlin’. Need you to come out of there alive, yeah?”
I smile, but it’s shaky. “Yeah. I’ll try.”
A low whistle sounds, and I see Wolfe motioning us over, the club gathered and waiting. “Time to move,” he calls, his voice carrying over the noise. “Let’s do this.”