Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 79263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
"Are we too late?" Piston asks, but before he manages to level his gun at Kozlov, the crime boss gets his arm around my throat, pressing me against him so hard that I struggle to breathe. I clutch at his forearm with both hands, but he's too strong.
"Put your fucking guns down," he roars as he puts his own up against my head. The barrel digs painfully into my scalp, right behind my ear. "Or I'm gonna fucking blow her head off."
"Pull that trigger and it'll be the last thing you ever do." Beast looks like an avenging angel, with the fury of God in his eyes and the blood thirst of a demon curling his lips into a horrifying grimace. His whole body is tense as a bow string, ready to release at the first opportunity.
"I'm not fucking around." Kozlov pulls me backwards with him, towards the balcony. With all the guards that came from there, it has to connect to other parts of the building. "Guns down now!"
Zero's gun is unwavering and pointed right at Kozlov's head. I remember clearly what happened to Zeke, but Kozlov doesn't seem as easily distracted. "Stop. You wanna get out of this alive? You let her go, because there's nowhere we won't fucking go to stay on your tail. We won't let you out of our fucking sight. You let her go, we'll let you live. But hurt her, and you'll be begging for death before I'm done with you. Beast might be an avenging angel, or a demon, but Zero is the Reaper. He doesn't make threats, he states facts. God, he's terrifying, and he's on my side.
Outside, it sounds like a full war as the rest of the Screaming Eagles burst in through the gate downstairs. Gunshots echo and motorcycles roar as Eagles are still arriving.
Piston looks out at the chaos. "Looks bad out there. There's not gonna be much left of this property by the time we're done. Your men are dropping like fucking flies. You've lost, Kozlov." Compared to Beast and Zero, Piston sounds downright reasonable. "You don't have a chance to get out of this alive if you keep threatening her. Tell you what, give her to us, and we'll give you a head start before we let Eagle-eye and the gang know where you are. That's an offer that can save your life. Without it, you're already dead. I strongly recommend that you take it."
As if to make his point, a gunshot shatters one of the windows, scattering glass shards all over the back of the room. Luckily not in our direction.
"Clock's ticking," Piston adds, with a crooked half-smile.
I can't see Kozlov's expression when he holds me like this. Just the guys and their guns aimed not right at me, but awfully close. He’s holding me so tight that I can feel his shiver of fear. Then he pulls me along towards the balcony.
"I'll let her go, but not until I've got a little distance. Just to the door." There's a nervous quaver in his voice. He's scared for real. Finally, realizing that there is no other way out. I worry that it makes him unpredictable. Even if they've convinced him to let me go, if he freaks out or twitches, it could end just as horribly. I move with him the best I can so we don't trip.
Zero, Piston and Beast follow, keeping their distance constant and making sure Kozlov isn't pulling some kind of last minute trick. There are way too many freaking guns pointing my way right now and my throat hurts. I'm only breathing in little gasps.
"You can't drag this out forever, Kozlov," Piston says. "Soon the rest will be up here, and I guarantee you that Eagle-eye won't be as forgiving as us. His first loyalty is to the club, and you've become a thorn in his side."
We stop.
I can feel Kozlov's heart thundering against my back, even if he keeps his voice deceptively calm.
"Fine. I let her go. The Screaming Eagles are known for keeping their word." I don't know if he's trying to convince himself, remind the boys about the deal, or just playing for time, but his grip on my throat loosens.
I draw a deep, raspy breath, finally able to breathe properly again. The gun barrel is pulled away from the side of my head. I take a cautious step forwards, convinced I'm about to get shot.
"Taking a step back. See? Your girl is safe. I haven't hurt her."
"Good," Zero says, and fires.
39
SANDRA
When we return to the club, Natalie is waiting for us. I borrowed Piston's phone to call her before we left, but she insisted on meeting me here. She bowls me over the moment I get off Beast's bike, throwing herself at me, wrapping me up in her arms and sob-laughing into my neck as she hugs me like she's trying to make my brain pop out through my ears.