Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 37638 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 188(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37638 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 188(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
“What about Warlock?”
He seemed to think about that one before nodding. “To an extent. By all rights, I should have had to kill him. He betrayed the club, which is punishable by death. I can’t go into everything, but Iron Tzars is… hard core, I guess you could say. No one leaves the club. The only reason Warlock did was because El Diablo demanded he come to Black Reign.”
“El Diablo gets what he wants.” I knew this well. Had seen it on many occasions from the shadows.
“He’s more than he seems. Which I’m sure you know.” He smiled down at me, then pulled off my shirt and knelt in front of me, sliding my pants and panties from my hips and down my legs. Taking a wet cloth, he gently cleaned my belly, my inner thighs, and between my legs. Once done, he wiped it over himself before tossing the cloth in the corner. He kissed my hip bone before standing. “Warlock gave me a chance with the Tzars, but only because Sting vouched for me. So, to answer your question, I feel like I owe Warlock, but I’m only loyal to Sting. I’d defend that man with my life. Same as I would you.”
We stood there, staring at each other. I realized now that Brick had done this on purpose. He wanted me to see his body and the marks of his prison life so I’d let him see my body and all its scars.
He reached out and traced one long, raised mark along the curve of my breast on the side. That one had been particularly deep. I remembered when my tormentor had given it to me. The man I now knew was named the Cannibal. That is, assuming the guy from the bus was right and I was indeed marked. Through all the cuts they’d put on my body, it was hard to imagine anyone could pick out two and know who’d done this to me. Something inside me, though, told me this was the real deal.
“I want you to understand that I will find the motherfucker who did this to you, and I’m going to kill him.” He met my gaze. “I don’t say that lightly, or ever in a place with questionable security. But I’m tellin’ you now. It doesn’t matter who knows or what the consequences are for me. I’m going to capture him. Mark his body exactly like he marked you. Then I’m going to make him suffer for days. Weeks. When he finally starts to heal, I’m gonna slice him open again. Over and over until this rage inside me has been satisfied.”
“You look intense, but not enraged.” I reached up and traced the line over his brow. His eyes slid shut as if the mere touch of my skin on his was a soothing balm to his every woe.
“Because havin’ you with me soothes my need to kill. When I find him, you’re not gonna be anywhere near that fucker.”
I shook my head. “Not happening, Brick.” I dropped my hand and gave him my fiercest glare. “When we find the son of a bitch, vengeance is mine. And no one else’s other than Winter’s. We earned that right, and no one is taking it away from us.”
Brick jerked like I’d struck him. Then I glanced down. His cock, which had only been semi hard, shot up hard and proud, the tip leaking precum.
“Now, there you went. I’m lovin’ this bloodthirsty side of you. At least, when you don’t tase me.”
“Get used to it. I’m done being a victim. I’m taking back my life because you deserve a strong woman at your side. Not someone weak and beaten down. I came with Winter to Indiana to start a new life. It’s time I got to it.”
“There’s my warrior woman.” He lifted his chin, grinning down at me. “Knew she was in there.” Brick pulled me to him and kissed me with a sweeping thrust of his tongue. “When we get home, I’m gonna take you as far as you’ll let me. I’ll push you outside your comfort zone, but I swear, I’ll never push too far.”
I blinked up at him. “Brick, there is nowhere I wouldn’t follow you. Only you. Where you lead us, I’ll follow willingly and trust you’ll take care of me. And so you know, I’m ready now. There’s no reason to wait.”
“Fuck…” Brick scrubbed a hand over his mouth, smoothing his beard down his chin as he went. “You’re gonna make one fine ol’ lady to the VP of Iron Tzars. I’ll have the fiercest, bravest woman in that whole Goddamn compound, and I will flaunt that fact every chance I get.” When I took his hand and placed it on my breast, he shivered and squeezed gently. “Not here, baby. The first time I fuck you is gonna be in my own fuckin’ bed. We might not leave it for days, but I’m gonna wait until I have you home if it fuckin’ kills me. You deserve that respect.”