Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 42128 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 211(@200wpm)___ 169(@250wpm)___ 140(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42128 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 211(@200wpm)___ 169(@250wpm)___ 140(@300wpm)
Shit. He had to have seen me take Delaney away. Which meant he probably knew exactly who had her.
“Fucker was close,” Fury muttered darkly beside me.
My jaw clenched, tension rippling beneath my skin. “Too damn close.”
We stayed for several more minutes, carefully documenting everything we could find before finally returning to our bikes. My head was spinning now, planning how to handle Magnus. Cold fury simmered steadily beneath the surface, but it remained directed on how to take him down swiftly and permanently.
Once back at the compound, I went straight to my room. When I opened the door, the tension that had been coiling tighter and tighter finally eased at the sight of Delaney awake, curled up on my bed, reading a novel I’d left on the nightstand. She sat up when she saw me, her eyes wide and vulnerable, relief washing visibly across her face.
Seeing how she felt safe here with me hit harder than I expected.
“You’re back,” she murmured, her voice hoarse but relieved as she set down the book. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” I moved toward her without hesitation, sinking down beside her. “How do you feel?”
She gave me a small smile. “Better, now that you’re here.”
I reached out, brushing my knuckles across her cheek. “Same.”
Pink dusted her cheeks, and her eyes dropped to my chest for a moment. When they lifted to meet mine again, wary curiosity swirled in the hazel depths. “Can I…am I allowed to ask where you went?”
I appreciated her respect of the club’s boundaries, but Kane had always made it clear that if club business directly involved our woman, we could share a certain amount of information with her.
“Went back to where you ran out in front of me.”
Her expression turned cautious, her eyes searching my face carefully. “Did you find anything?”
I didn’t sugarcoat it, though I didn’t give her the worst details. “Magnus was closer than I liked.”
Her face paled visibly at my words, her breathing quickening.
“Pretty sure he saw me take you, angel.”
Fear flickered briefly across her face, but I tightened my hold, pulling her fully against my front. “Listen to me. He won’t ever get his fucking hands on you again. You understand me?”
She nodded slowly, her body relaxing at the rough certainty in my voice.
“Should we go to the police?” she asked carefully.
I shook my head, my tone firm and unwavering. “This has escalated beyond that, angel. You’re mine. I’ll handle this shit. The Kings will make sure that Magnus faces consequences no police can deliver. Trust me.”
Her eyes widened just a bit, but she nodded again, seeming to accept it. “I trust you.”
I cupped her jaw, running my thumb slowly across her cheek. “Good. But until this is settled, you’re staying here at the compound. It’s the safest place for you.”
She nodded again without hesitation. “As long as I can stay in contact with my parents and make excuses why I can’t see them right now, so they won’t get suspicious or worried. At least for a couple of weeks until it’s Christmas.”
“That’s fine.” I settled against the headboard and pulled her fully onto my lap. “Jax can get you a new phone and make calls look like they’re coming from your number in a couple of hours.”
I could tell that had piqued her interest, but instead of asking questions, she relaxed more, clearly relieved. I brushed my knuckles over her cheek again, then tilted her chin upward, holding her gaze. “You should shower and change. You’ll feel better. Gonna go get you some food.”
She smiled softly. “Okay.”
I climbed out of the bed and walked to my dresser, reaching into a drawer to pull out a black T-shirt. When I handed it to her, our fingers brushed and warmth sparked up my arm at even the small contact. “Here, you can wear this until we get you some clothes.”
She took the shirt carefully, the corners of her lips tilting slightly. “Thanks.”
When she disappeared into the bathroom, my mind involuntarily jumped to the image of her stripping off her clothes then stepping under the water, her smooth skin slick and flushed from the heat. My pulse kicked at the vivid thought of stepping in behind her and sliding my hands over every bare inch of her body.
Son of a bitch. I dragged a rough breath through my teeth, fighting down the arousal. I had to regain some damn control.
I forced myself to leave the room and thanked my lucky fucking stars when no one was in the kitchen. Brothers giving me shit about the hard-on I sported while walking around the clubhouse wouldn’t help my already shitty mood.
However, I had to send a thought of silent gratitude to their old ladies for keeping the fridge stocked. I quickly put together a couple of sandwiches, a bowl of fruit, and several waters since I didn’t want Delaney becoming dehydrated again.