Total pages in book: 144
Estimated words: 130761 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 654(@200wpm)___ 523(@250wpm)___ 436(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130761 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 654(@200wpm)___ 523(@250wpm)___ 436(@300wpm)
Vike and Cowboy followed me out of the saloon and across the road to the dorms. Vike moved in close to speak, but I hissed, “Not yet. Himmler will be watching from the bar.”
“How the fuck do you know that?”
“Trust me,” I said as we entered the dorms, keeping the lights off. The minute we hit the hallway, I sneaked a look across the street.
“Shit,” Cowboy said. “Fucker’s right there, staring after us.”
“He suspects us.” I led them into Flame’s room. The brother was pacing back and forth. I ignored him and locked the door. “We get her out tomorrow,” I said quietly. “If Meister doesn’t kill her tonight first. Himmler’s gonna start digging if we don’t. That fucker smells that we ain’t pure.”
I flicked my chin at Cowboy. “Call Hush. Tell him we’re putting a plan together and he needs to be ready to go when I say.”
Cowboy pulled his cell from his pocket. He spoke quietly to Hush, then gave a thumbs up and ended the call. “He’s ready.”
Pacing too, I ran my hand through my hair. “Tomorrow night, after dark.” Vike and Cowboy nodded. Flame was too fucking lost in his own world to hear. I outlined my plan, and my brothers listened carefully. We all agreed—this was how this shit was gonna go down.
The room was quiet. Vike gave me a weird look. “Ain’t sure that bitch can be saved, brother. I ain’t ever seen shit like that before. He’s one fucked-up cunt.”
I closed my eyes and tried not to let the thought of Phebe, of my fucking past, rip me to shreds. I counted to ten in my head. “You might be right.” I slumped to the edge of the bed and looked at Flame, proof that even the most fucked-up souls could be salvaged, somewhat. “But I’ll fucking die trying.”
“Always the damn hero,” Viking said humorlessly.
Hero? Fucking far from it. Just didn’t have it in me to watch one more person die under someone else’s hand.
So I’d take on Meister and his Klansmen tomorrow night.
We’d deal with the rest after that.
Even if she was already completely fucked.
Chapter Five
Phebe
The street rushed past me. I struggled to open my eyes. So I gave in to the dark. I gave in to the dark and let a pair of kind eyes watch over me. An angel disguised as a devil.
A door opened. Then it closed. I was pushed onto a surface that I recognized. My legs were parted. A needle pricked my arm. Then liquid light passed through my veins as I felt my cheek being struck and my core being savaged.
But I did not care.
I blinked in the soft glow of the warm sun. When I viewed my surroundings, I smiled. I was back in the forest. The breeze was cool, running through my hair. I sat on the grass, my hands running through the soft blades. I closed my eyes, simply relaxing, then I felt the air disturb around me. Someone sat down by my side. Opening my eyes, I looked to my right. I smiled wider, inhaling the comforting scent of leather.
“You?” I said on a happy sigh.
The devil with angel eyes nodded his head and rested his arms on his bent knees. “Me,” he said, and the corner of his mouth kicked up at the sides. I studied his features. I studied his long brown hair, a few strands seeming almost caramel in color when they caught the sun. His skin was tanned, his body tall and muscular. But his eyes were my favorite. So deep a brown I could lose myself in their depths for days.
He pointed around the forest. “You like this place?”
I followed his hand. Looked up at the high trees, heard the flowing river beyond the clearing. “It is where I come to leave it all behind. This—” I inhaled the fragrant air. “—this is my heaven.”
He turned to me, searching for something in my face. He did not speak, so I did. “You are here for me?” I asked, my breath held in hope.
“Gonna get you out,” he rasped, and I saw the conviction of his promise in his eyes.
Tension left my body, and I had the feeling that I was floating. A hand covering mine suddenly became my anchor. Body back on the soft grass, I stared down at his tattooed hand resting atop mine. I fought back the tears that were pricking my eyes at his gentle touch.
This man was gentle and kind. He was . . . “An angel,” I whispered and lifted my eyes to meet his. “You are my angel,” I said. His lips parted. They were full, kind lips. “You are an angel here to save me. You spared my life once before, and you have returned to do so again.”
Seconds stretched, only the sound of the flowing water to be heard. Then, “Yeah.” He gripped my fingers tightly. “I’m here to get you, Phebe. To take you from this hell. You just gotta hold on for tonight. Just fucking hold on.”