Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 49589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 248(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 248(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
I guided my bike through the maze of camo netting that covered the pathways between buildings, acutely aware of how this place must look to Nadine. The compound sprawled out in a perfect square, massive warehouses forming the outer perimeter with smaller warehouses and various structures nestled inside like a castle fortress. It was impressive as hell, but also intimidating. Exactly what we wanted outsiders to think.
But Nadine wasn’t an outsider. Not now. She was mine to protect.
Venus pulled up beside us on her pink Harley, with Piston’s bike flanking our other side. Mama and Pops pulled up alongside with Tiny and Griffin to complete our little convoy, their engines rumbling to a stop as we parked near the main entrance. The sound of our arrival brought several prospects jogging out to handle the bikes.
I held out my hand for Nadine. When she took it, I placed her hand on my shoulder. “Hold onto me to brace yourself, baby, and be careful of the pipes.”
“OK.” Her voice trembled, as did her hand on my shoulder.
Once she was off, I took her hand again, this time, lacing my fingers through hers as I got off my bike. She looked up at me, meeting my gaze. I could see her nervousness. And Goddamn if she didn’t stick the tip of her tongue out to moisten her lower lip.
I groaned, leaning in to capture her mouth with mine because I absolutely had to taste that intriguing lower lip myself. “You’re killin’ me, woman.”
Her eyes were now glazed, half lidded as she lost herself in my kiss. Which, I wasn’t too proud to admit, made me want to puff out my chest, give my brothers a big thumbs up, and shout, “I’ve still got it!” at the top of my lungs.
When she finally let herself drift out of the moment and back to reality, she frowned at me, narrowing her eyes. “Are you managing me?”
I almost barked out a laugh. “No. But if kissing you is the way to get your attention, I’ll gladly do it all the damn time.”
Her gaze softened and she reached up to stroke my beard with her hand. “I should be careful around you. You’ll take me over if I let you.”
“No. I don’t want to control you or anything, Nadine. I want you happy. Right now, you’re nervous.”
“That’s putting it mildly,” she muttered.
“You’d be crazy not to be. I trust these men with my life, but you barely know me, let alone them.”
“I know you.” Her smile was soft and almost reverent. “You’d never put me in danger intentionally.”
“I’m not the same person I was before prison, Nadine. You realize that, right?”
“Yes. But you’re still protective. Not just of your family and friends. Everyone around you.”
“I think you’re seeing more than is really there, honey. I’m an asshole on the best of days. Especially when men get hurt doing something stupid.”
“Oh, yes. I know. But pointing out someone’s stupidity doesn’t mean you still don’t try to take care of them.”
I started to refute what she said, but I stopped and really reflected on her words. Was she right? I mean, she was definitely right about me pointing out people’s stupidity. I’d had enough of holding back my opinions working at the hospital. Instead of arguing, I turned it back to her. “What makes you say that?”
“Chuck and Jermaine.”
I blinked at her. “What do you mean?”
“I have no doubt you have men inside the prison. It was hinted at, and I overheard things some of the guards said. I also know that you’re not operating a prison babysitting service. Assuming you told me the truth and you had someone keeping an eye on them, you’ve taken that person from a task they would normally be doing. Because, while multitasking is a thing, I imagine it’s much, much harder to do that kind of multitasking while in prison. Guard or prisoner.” When I gave her what must have been a blank look, she lifted her chin. “Tell me I’m wrong.”
I shook my head slightly, then stopped. Was she right? “I mean, you saw their files. They didn’t need to be there. The system failed them both.”
“So you made it your responsibility to protect them?”
“Not in so many words, no. I just felt sorry for them.”
“Uh-huh.”
I frowned at her, taking a step back, but retaining hold on her hand. I pointed at her. “You’re trouble.”
“Remember that when you try to manage me again.” Nadine took a breath and looked around her, taking in everything in the immediate area. “Looks like something out of Mad Max,” she muttered under her breath.
I chuckled. “Come on.” I tugged her after me. “Let’s get inside. You can shower or take a soak in the bath if you want. It wasn’t a long ride, but if you’re not used to it, you can be a bit sore.”