Total pages in book: 174
Estimated words: 172061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 574(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 172061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 574(@300wpm)
I inhaled a harsh breath, preparing myself to dish when only Theo knew anything about my history with Daisy.
My throat grew thick. “This woman who I knew back home. Before I came to LA. Her name is Daisy. She has three children. She found me, and she’s in trouble.”
The easy laughs Otto and Kane wore drained from their faces.
Kane sat forward. “What kind of trouble?”
My mouth suddenly felt like the Sahara. “She discovered some nefarious activities on her husband. A bunch of money they shouldn’t have. She confronted him on it. Demanded to know what was going on. He tried to gaslight her. Tell her she was imagining things. Only when one of his business associates went missing under questionable circumstances, she knew he was into something deep. She went to the authorities…”
“Shit,” River rumbled, quick to catch up.
I scrubbed a palm over my face. “Fucker was arrested, and she filed for divorce. It was already finalized when he got released. Judge threw the case out. I learned through my digging she believed there wasn’t enough evidence for the case to stand. Only the moment he got out, someone tried to run Daisy off the road. She knew he was after her.”
“So he’s out for retaliation?” Theo surmised.
Agitation burned through my nerves. A fuse running out quickly. “Seems so.”
A stir of energy whipped around the room.
Every one of my brothers sat forward. Tattooed flesh crawled over their muscles that bunched and twisted.
Otto curled both hands into fists and set them on the table. Clearly thirsting for a fight. “And where can we find this piece of shit?”
Rage billowed through my senses. A chaotic storm that battered and blew against the rigid armor of my being. “Motherfucker disappeared. Took me two weeks before I caught a whiff of him in Florida, though I could only tie him there for a couple days. Means he’s gone underground and is fucking good at doing it.”
Incredulity shook Theo’s head. “You lost track of him?”
I was the best at what I did.
It wasn’t pride.
It was just fact.
“I’ll pin him soon.” It was close to a snarl.
“And we’ll be ready,” Kane said.
Worry darkened River’s demeanor. “She know what you’re in?”
It went without saying that we didn’t just let strangers in on who we were or what we did.
An impenetrable lid kept on Sovereign Sanctum business.
It was dangerous for both civilians and for us.
It was the whole reason we originally had the rule that we couldn’t form attachments. That we couldn’t form bonds or have families other than the one that had been established before Sanctum.
But all of that had been blown to shit the moment Charleigh had come into town and crashed into River’s life, and then each of the guys had gotten plucked like petals from a flower.
In discomfort, I shifted on the hard chair. “She didn’t know anything about me before she came here. I’m just the only other person she knows.”
Anxiety had me bouncing as I warily glanced around at each of them. “She doesn’t have any details, but she does know my hands are tainted. Had to tell her with what she was asking of me.”
Energy flash-fired from Theo. Air puffing from his nose since he knew how deep Daisy’s request had gone.
“Yeah, like she could miss the fact that you’re a grumpy fucking beast.” Otto pushed at my shoulder, jostling me to the side, the razzing rolling out of his mouth.
Giant, I almost corrected him, the thought coming without permission.
Thank fuck I managed to keep my mouth shut.
Instead, I grunted at him. “She knows it’s more than just my seclusion. She asked me point-blank if I’d ever put anyone in the ground before. Wasn’t going to lie to her.”
“You trust her?” Kane asked, head cocked in concern.
“Yeah, I do.” I meant it to my core. “But even if she tried to turn me in, none of what I confessed is tied to any of you.”
And I’d gladly go down in a blaze for her.
“So, what? She and her kids are staying with you while we go after her ex? Or until we place her? Honestly can’t believe you didn’t call Theo here and have him come to your rescue. I mean…three kids?” Kane’s voice was full of incredulity.
He knew no one was welcome on my property.
“Know we have plans for both cabins at The Sanctuary, but I’m sure Theo would be able to get a room for them so you don’t have to deal with it.”
Kane looked at Theo, and Theo glanced at me. Itching in his seat with the info I’d given him yesterday. “I’m here for whatever support Cash needs,” Theo settled on.
I blew out some of the strain and rocked back. Mayhem beating down on my insides as I pinned my attention on Kane. “Turns out, it’s a little more complicated than that.”