Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 66480 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66480 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
A lump formed in my throat. I remembered that night too. The first time I felt safe in years. Ghost had given me a room with a lock on the door and promised no one would ever hurt me again. Jack had personally vetted every man who came near me for the first year, making it clear that I was off-limits, I was family.
"I'm not trying to betray the club," I said quietly. "I just thought... if I could get information..."
"We know, sweetheart," Ghost said, his anger fading into something that hurt so much worse. Disappointment. Mixed with concern. "But this isn't the way."
Jack pushed off the desk and took a step toward me. Even though I knew he'd never hurt me, I couldn't help tensing. He noticed and stopped, keeping a respectful distance.
"We're not mad because we think you'd sell us out," Jack said. "We're fucking terrified because we know what those bastards are capable of. And if anything happened to you..." He shook his head, unable or unwilling to finish the thought.
The fight drained out of me, my shoulders slumping as the truth of their words sank in. These men, these big, dangerous men who could make hardened criminals piss themselves with a look, were scared to lose me. Were scared for me. Not of what I might do, but of what might be done to me.
"I just wanted to help," I whispered.
"You want to help?" Ghost asked. "Stay away from him. Stay safe. That helps us more than any information ever could."
Jack nodded in agreement. "The club will handle the Copperheads. We always have."
I looked between them, these two pillars of my life. The father who'd saved me and the president who'd sanctioned my place in this family. The weight of their concern pressed against my chest, making it hard to breathe.
Ghost sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. "Go on," he said, nodding toward the door. "We're done here. But Wren—" he caught my gaze, held it "—stay away from Rocky. Please."
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. As I turned to leave, Jack stepped aside, his massive frame no longer blocking the exit. I felt their eyes on my back as I walked out, my thoughts a jumbled mess of conflicting loyalties and emotions.
The hallway had emptied, the eavesdroppers scattered at Jack's arrival. I was grateful for the solitude as I made my way through the compound. Every step reminded me that this was my home, these people, my family. They'd taken me in when I had nothing, given me everything. And here I was, risking it all for... what? Information? Trying to help girls who were in even worse situations than I’d been. Or was I doing it for the way Rocky looked at me? For the way his hands felt on my skin? The possibility that maybe, just maybe, he wasn't lying to me this time?
I didn't have answers, only questions that burned in my chest and twisted in my gut. Loyalty to the club that saved me, or to the man who made me feel alive in ways I'd never experienced before.
Maybe Ghost was right. Maybe I was being childish and reckless. Or maybe I was the only one willing to take a risk that could save those girls Rocky mentioned. It surprised me that Ghost or Jack hadn’t immediately said they’d look into it.
I sighed. I had decisions to make. Hard ones. And for the first time since coming to Bound in Blood, I didn't know which path to take.
Once I made it to my apartment I, I shut myself in my room and I paced restlessly. The only light came from the red neon sign outside my window, bathing everything in a bloody glow that matched my mood. Each time I passed the window, the Bound in Blood logo flickered across my face like a warning. The fallout from my showdown with Ghost and Jack still burned in my chest. I'd promised Ghost I'd stay put, promised I'd stay away from Rocky. But promises always felt easier to make than keep.
But what if Rocky told me the truth this time? What if he really was working with Vittorio Luca to take down the trafficking ring? Those girls deserved someone fighting for them.
My phone buzzed on the counter, jolting me from my thoughts. I snatched it up, heart racing when I saw the name on the screen.
Rocky: Need to meet. Have crucial information. The park bench, one hour.
Fuck.
I stared at the message, my thumb hovering over the screen. The memory of his lips on mine sent an unwelcome heat through my body. Ghost would lose his fucking mind if he knew Rocky messaged me, let alone that I’d let him touch me again.
My fingers moved before my brain caught up.
On my way. Don't do anything stupid before I get there.