Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 62710 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62710 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
“I get it,” I gasp. “I get it.”
“One more, just for luck,” Bill murmurs.
A booted foot hits me in the ribs, sending me tumbling backward into the closet supplies. Containers and bottles fall on my head as I roll to my side, coughing and gasping, the air refusing to enter my lungs. My head spins and tears run down my cheeks as I try to fight through the pain. The unbearable pain.
A moment later, a hand curls around my arm and hauls me up. I cry out as my body refuses to straighten the way it should.
It hurts.
God, it hurts.
“Time to go.”
Bill is cheerful as they pull me out of the closet and toward the back entrance. Each step sends sharp stabbing pains through my ribs and stomach, but they’re not allowing me to stop. My phone in my pocket begins to ring, over and over, and I know it’s Leo. He’ll be looking for me, and if he doesn’t find me, he is going to cause a scene.
“If I don’t answer him,” I grind out, “he is going to flip.”
“You tell him you’re at the club and to go home,” Bill says as his friends drags me toward a truck that is idling in the deserted back parking lot.
I shakily reach for my phone, taking a deep breath.
“If he suspects anything is wrong,” Bill warns, “I’ll make it hurt more.”
Gritting my teeth, I answer the phone when Leo’s name flashes across the screen again.
“Bonnie,” he says down the phone, the moment I click answer. “Sorry, somehow I was unable to get into the parking lot. I had to circle around the block and I didn’t hear my phone. I’m here now, are you okay?”
“I’m okay,” I say, making my voice sound as normal as I possibly can. “So sorry, I tried to call to let you know you didn’t need to wait for me. Western came to get me, he wants to talk. I’m just at the club. I’ll call you when I’m done.”
Leo pauses. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“I need to talk to him, Leo.”
Exhaling, Leo grunts. “I think he deserves nothing from you, but as long as you’re safe, I’m happy. What time will you be done? I’ll come and get you.”
“I’ll message.”
I finish up the call, confident that Leo isn’t suspicious.
I’m shoved into the truck, and the big guy gets in next to me, ensuring I can’t jump out. As we drive away, I desperately try to think of a way out of this. What am I going to say when I go into that club? How exactly am I going to get them to trust me? How will I get information when they don’t want anything to do with me?
Then, an idea hits.
Like a lightbulb moment in my mind.
Why didn’t I think of this earlier?
Through the haze and pain, a plan formulates in my mind, a plan that didn’t click until now.
By the time we arrive at the club, I know what I have to do.
Bill turns in his seat, staring at me with cold, icy eyes. “I’ll hear from you within the hour, or I’ll be back. You tell them what happened to you, and I’ll make things so much worse. I know where your friend lives.”
“I got it,” I grind out. “One hour.”
I climb out of the truck that is parked just down from the club so as not to be seen. I walk toward the entrance, and they don’t leave until I’m well inside. As I approach the quiet clubhouse, I know that what I’m about to do is my only option. It’s the only thing that’ll work for all of us. It’ll be the only way for me to stay safe, and clear Western’s name. The only way to get Bill to leave for good.
Reaching the front door, I take a deep breath, fighting through the throbbing pain that is getting progressively worse with every step. I’m certain I have a broken rib, at least, a very badly bruised one. Pushing the door open, I walk inside the clubhouse. It’s quiet, a few bikers kicking back, drinking and smoking. I notice Mex and Venom both standing by the bar, their eyes on me.
Exhaling, I walk over to them.
“I know, I know. I’m not allowed. But it’s urgent. I need to speak to Nightmare. Is he here?”
“Night’s in a meetin’,” Venom growls, his voice a low, gravelly sound.
Venom is dangerous. He has had a bad past or something, because the man radiates a vibe even stronger than Western’s. He doesn’t want people near him, he doesn’t want human contact at all. He’s broken, he’s deadly, and he makes sure you know it. Mex, on the other hand, is a lot easier to get along with. No quite the same as Fury, but enough that you know he isn’t going to toss you out on your ass.