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)
“Benjamin.” Antonio’s voice was deceptively calm. “I don’t believe this is a place you really want to be.”
Roscoe’s face flushed an ugly red. “This is a police matter, Miles. You have no authority here. This ain’t your property.”
Antonio smiled, the expression never reaching his eyes. “Authority? No. Influence? That’s another matter entirely.” He casually adjusted his cufflinks. “The mayor would be disappointed to learn about this unauthorized raid. Especially since I just left his office.” He half turned before adding, “And you’re wrong. This is my property. These men are here at my insistence. They work for me. In the future, I’d appreciate it if you directed any questions regarding this property or the people in it to my office.”
I took advantage of the distraction to move toward Nadine, but one of the remaining officers stepped into my path, his hand moving to his weapon. I froze, every muscle in my body coiled tight, ready to tear this fucker apart if he so much as breathed wrong.
“Not a good choice, officer.” Antonio didn’t so much as glance in the officer’s direction. “Getting between a male and his injured mate? It tends not to work out so well.”
The officer looked between Antonio and Roscoe, uncertainty flickering across his face. Roscoe’s jaw worked furiously, but he gave a sharp nod. The officer stepped aside, and I immediately went to Nadine, dropping to my knees beside her.
“Baby, look at me.” I cupped her face gently, my thumb tracing the line of her cheekbone. Her skin was still pale from the trauma of the electrical shock, and I could see the fear lingering in her gray eyes. “You’re OK. I’ve got you. I’ll make sure you’re OK.”
She leaned into my touch, her hand coming up to cover mine. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I couldn’t just stand there and watch them --”
“Don’t you dare apologize.” My voice came out rougher than I intended. “This ain’t your fault and I won’t have you thinking it is.”
Antonio’s voice carried across the compound as he continued his conversation with Roscoe. “I think we understand each other now. Any further issues you have with my associates will come through my assistant, and I’ll deal with them. On any charges.”
Roscoe’s face was a mask of barely controlled fury, but he knew he was beaten. The political weight Antonio carried in this city was undeniable, because Antonio and his family owned Nashville. This was their city, and they controlled business done within it with an iron fist. “This isn’t over,” Roscoe snarled, but he was already signaling his men to pack up.
“Oh, but it is.” Antonio’s smile was razor-sharp. “At least for today. And Benjamin? The woman you assaulted? She’s under the Miles family’s protection along with everyone else inside this place. I’d suggest you remember that.”
The threat hung in the air like smoke. Roscoe’s eyes flicked to Nadine, then back to Antonio, and I saw the exact moment he realized he’d made a serious fucking mistake.
As the police vehicles pulled away, leaving tire marks on our gravel and the acrid smell of their exhaust, I helped Nadine to her feet. She swayed slightly, and I immediately wrapped my arm around her waist to steady her. “Easy, honey. Take your time.”
“I’m okay,” she said, but her voice shook and she was trembling in my arms.
“No, you’re not.” I kept my voice gentle but firm as I lifted her into my arms, cradling her against my chest. “You’ve been tased. Twice. Your muscles are going to be spasming for hours.”
She didn’t argue, which told me just how bad she was feeling. Instead, she looped her arms around my neck and pressed her face against my shoulder.
Antonio approached us, his expression unreadable as he studied Nadine. “Dr. Raven,” he acknowledged with a slight nod. “We’ve not met. I’m Tonio Miles.” I thought he’d expect me to shake his hand or some shit when I’d just picked my woman, the woman who’d just been tased twice, probably because that swine, Roscoe, was a fucking bully and he picked who he saw as the weakest link in our group to make an example of. Instead, Tonio proceeded down the path ahead of us and opened the door to the nearest warehouse, where my clinic was. The man wasn’t lying when he’d told Roscoe he owned the property. It was in the club’s name, but all this was possible because of Knuckles’ connection to this man. Tonio knew where everything in the compound was.
“Thanks,” I muttered as I carried Nadine to the gurney in the corner and set her down gently. After looking into Nadine’s eyes, seeing for myself she was in pain and scared, but not physically hurt too terribly, I turned back to Tonio and stuck out my hand. “I owe you one.”
Tonio took my hand but waved off the debt. “No. Your club works for me. I take care of my own. That includes your families.”