Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44902 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44902 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“You mean to ensure I don’t go to jail.”
“You aren’t going to jail, sweetness.”
“Maybe not, but I could.” I glance at the men gathered around the room, the small army Keegan gathered to keep me and our daughter safe, each chosen for their skill sets. “You should know what I’ve done if you’re going to help me.”
“You don’t owe us answers, Landry,” Finn says, the first time he’s spoken. “Whatever crimes you’ve committed, you committed with good reason. That makes you a survivor, not a criminal.”
“I doubt the law agrees.”
“Maybe not, but the law doesn’t see shades of gray,” Jude says. “It wasn’t written that way. People are different. And everyone in this room has done things the law would disagree with to protect people who deserved protection, people we care about.” He nods at Lily. “She deserves it. So do you.”
“You don’t even know me.”
“Maybe not, but we married women a whole lot like you,” Cash says. “Everyone has a past. Everyone has a story. What happened to you doesn’t make you less worthy of our protection.”
Keegan touches my cheek, drawing my attention. “He’s right, baby. You aren’t less worthy because you fought to keep our daughter safe. If anything, it makes you more worthy. Let them help you.”
I hesitate for a long moment, glancing around at the men patiently waiting for my answer, men so much different than those I’ve always known that it’s almost laughable. This is what honor looks like. It’s what loyalty feels like. I’ve done nothing to deserve it from these men, but I have it anyway.
They’re here right now, willing to fight for Lily and me simply because Keegan asked. Simply because they decided I’m worth the fight. Not because they want to own me. Not because I’m property to be bartered or sold. But simply because they’ve decided I deserve it.
“Okay,” I whisper, a lump of gratitude in my throat.
Relief flickers across Keegan’s face, his eyes falling partially closed. “Thank you,” he whispers as if I just did him a favor when, in reality, he’s been the one saving me since the day we met. He’s the one who deserves thanks, not me. But he gives it to me anyway.
Chapter Nine
Keegan
By the time we’re finished talking to the MC, Landry is wrung out…but we still have one more thing to do today. One more conversation we need to have.
When Dillon knocks on the door before striding into the living room, she tenses against my side, her eyes locked on him.
“It’s okay,” I murmur, slipping my hand into hers.
She clings to my fingers like I’m her lifeline, barely breathing.
“Let’s give them a few minutes,” Cash mutters to the others, who file out without a word.
Jude stays put, prepared to act as her lawyer if necessary. I don’t think it’ll come to that, though. Dillon is a ten-toes down kind of motherfucker. He’s the best thing that ever happened to this town.
“Landry baby, this is Sheriff Dillon Armstrong,” I say, reintroducing them. “Dillon, this is Landry Corbett, and our daughter, Lily.”
“Hey, sweetheart.” Dillon keeps a respectable distance, as if he knows not to crowd her. “I came to ask you a few questions if you’re willing to talk to me.”
Landry glances over at me, a question in her eyes.
“He isn’t here about the car. He wants to talk about the MC.”
“Oh.” She swallows hard, her gaze flickering in his direction. “W-what do you want to know?”
“Anything you’re willing to tell me,” he says, pulling out a voice recorder. “And I’d like to record the conversation if you’re okay with it.”
She glances at me, and I nod, silently encouraging her.
“I guess so,” she whispers to Dillon, sending pride washing through me.
Dillon shoots her a small grin and then clicks on the recorder, stating his name, badge number, and the date and time. And then he settles onto the couch across from us, his eyes locked on Landry. “Can you tell me how you ended up with the Sons of Loki?”
She hesitates again and then sighs. “My uncle sold me to Garrick Albright to cover his drug debt.”
My entire body tenses when she says it, fury churning through me all over again. If I ever get my hands on her piece of shit uncle… God, he better hope I never do. I intend to kill him slowly and painfully, make sure he feels every goddamn second of terror she’s lived because of him.
“Can you tell me a little about how that happened?” Dillon asks her.
“Um, they didn’t realize I was home,” she says, rocking Lily as if the motion brings her comfort. “Garrick kicked in the door, intending to kill him, but he knew that Garrick bought and sold women, so he offered him a deal. Said if Garrick let him live, he could have me.” She licks her lips, staring into space. “I always wondered why he worked so hard to keep me from moving out after I turned eighteen. As soon as he made the offer, I realized that was why. I was his shield, something he could throw in front of the MC when the time came.”