Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34187 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34187 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
That simple gesture sent a rush of warmth through me despite our dire circumstances. I could feel my cheeks flush as his lips lingered on my skin. When he lowered my hand, I didn’t pull it away. He didn’t either.
The highway stretched before us like a black ribbon, illuminated only by our headlights and the occasional passing car. Venus and Piston had fallen back slightly, keeping a protective distance behind us while the others had moved into position at various points in front of and behind us, keeping us in the middle and other traffic away from us.
“That’s twice now someone’s either threatened or tried to kill me,” I murmured, the reality of the situation finally sinking in. “And I still don’t understand why.”
Xavier’s jaw tightened. “It’s not you they’re after, exactly. It’s that property.”
“A farmhouse? Why would anyone care about my little farmhouse?”
Xavier exchanged a glance with Tiny through the rearview mirror before facing me again. “That maintenance road at the back of your property isn’t on any maps, but it’s a main smuggling route for the Menendez cartel. They’ve been using it for years.”
“A drug cartel?” My voice rose an octave. “In my backyard?”
He winced. “Yeah. And it actually is as bad as it sounds.”
“But I was leaving! Why would they have followed me all this way?” Now that we were on the road, I expected a letdown like before, but I was fucking wired.
Xavier scrubbed a hand over his face. “Because you left. We took you away from there.”
“I thought that would have been the goal.”
“Yeah, but they also told you to not leave the house. My guess is they were moving a shipment and didn’t want you to see them.”
“Why not kill me?” I winced. “Never mind. I’m grateful they didn’t, so who really cares why?”
He gave me a slight smile. “I know. They don’t kill people first. They have a loose agreement to warn people instead of killing them. They’ve been pretty good at sticking to the agreement, but they only give one chance.”
“Fuckin’ scum shoulda left her alone after we let them know she was under our protection. Knuckles ain’t gonna be happy about that.”
“Tiny.” Xavier glared at the other man where their gazes met in the rearview mirror. We were all silent for a long time after that. Tiny spoke occasionally to whomever was giving him instructions, but otherwise we were all silent.
About two hours later, we rolled through the gate to a motorcycle club. I was sure there was a way my parents would expect me to feel, but their feelings and mine weren’t even on the same planet. The second we were through the gate, I relaxed at the same time I felt the tension leave Xavier’s grip on my hand.
I turned my head to see his expression. His look said everything I needed to know about my surroundings. I’d been going to see Xavier every week for almost a year and a half. I’d memorized every expression, every crease on his brow and around his eyes and what they meant. This was the first time I’d seen him truly relaxed.
“You have complete faith we’re safe here. Don’t you, Xave?” I kept my voice down, mainly because the guys had been silent the entire second half of the trip and I didn’t feel right about breaking the silence too much.
“It’s home,” he said simply, his voice low. “And these men are my brothers. We protect each other.”
As Tiny parked the truck, I could see a group of men emerging from the clubhouse. It seemed this place grew them one size, and that was fucking big. All of them wore leather vests similar to Xavier’s. Their expressions were a mix of concern and what looked like relief.
“Come on,” Xavier said, releasing my hand to open his door. “Let’s go inside. We’ll find a place to get you settled.”
That alarmed me. “What?”
“There’s plenty of room. Each building has apartments on the top floors. Most of us prefer the single-room apartments but there are larger ones in several of the buildings.”
“Oh.” The punch of hurt hit me out of nowhere when I had no business being hurt by what I perceived as rejection.
“What’s wrong, Tillie?” He’d been about to open his door, but he stopped and turned to face me more fully.
“Nothing! Everything’s fine! Thank you for making sure I have a place to stay.” The last thing I wanted was for him to think I wasn’t grateful for everything he’d done for me.
“Are you sure? I want you to have your own space, but I’m not going to be far away.”
“Yes.” I let out a breath, needing to take a moment. As much as I really didn’t want Xavier out of my sight, I knew this was for the best. I needed to take time to process what had happened over the past few hours, as well as really think about this fantasy I had where Xavier was the perfect suburban husband, catering to my every whim. Even considering what he’d done for me, Xavier didn’t seem the domesticated type. “I’m sure. Thank you.” I squeezed his hand reassuringly. Time to put on my big girl panties.