Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 58408 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58408 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
I am.
Not really okay, but alive.
We watch the credits together, and Nia throws popcorn at the screen every time a man appears. I don’t laugh, but I smile, and that surprises me more than anything. I still ache. I still want to punch a hole in the universe.
Yet weirdly, there is nowhere else I would rather be right now. I don’t wish I was someone else.
I just wish things had been different.
But for tonight, I am just going to try and forget about it, and enjoy the family I have created, all on my own.
TWO DAYS.
Two days I avoid Knox.
Two days I ignore his fists pounding on my door, roaring at me to let him in.
Two days I cry myself to sleep.
By the third day, I know I can’t keep doing this.
I need a plan.
I need to finish this so I can get the hell out of here and never have to see Knox or the club again.
But to finish it, I have no choice but to involve them.
I want Ralston gone, and I want my brother free.
I don’t know how they’ll get my brother out, but I know damn well they have contacts in high places and can make a deal.
That is their problem.
Ralston is mine.
I need this explosion to go ahead, and I need it done sooner rather than later. Unfortunately for me, I don’t know how to blow a fucking meth lab so I am going to need them to finish what they started. I can’t hide anymore. It’s time to face them and sort this out.
The sun is already high and relentless when I pull into the lot. I’ve barely slept, but adrenaline is curling in my veins and it’s the only thing keeping me in forward motion. The lot is full—every damn bike lined up, all chrome and attitude and black paint. I almost leave, but I remind myself I am not here for them. I am here for me.
I go inside, avoiding any type of eye contact, and make my way straight to Wolfe’s office. When I step in, unfortunately, it isn’t just him in there. He is in his usual spot, sitting at the desk, a stern look on his face like they’re discussing something serious. Zane is beside him, along with Knox, Talon, and Kael.
Shit.
All their eyes turn in my direction, and I meet every single one...except Knox.
I can’t look at him.
If I do, I’ll break.
Wolfe gives me a half grin. “Callie, to what do we owe the pleasure?”
I toss my bag on an empty chair and cross my arms, taking a deep breath. My voice is hoarse, like maybe a part of me didn’t really mean to use it. “We need to finish this.”
Wolfe leans back, folding his hands behind his head. “What’s the rush?”
Oh. He knows what the rush is.
I press my lips together. “I want to get the hell out of this town, and never look back. That’s the rush.”
The room goes silent, and Wolfe looks in Knox’s direction. I don’t know what the expression is, I refuse to look.
“Can look at me, you know,” Knox finally growls, his voice low but careful.
“I’m not here to look at you,” I say, and my voice stammers. Dammit. “I am here to finish this. Are you all going to help me, or should I do this on my own? Either way, it will get done.”
Wolfe puts his hands up. “All good, darlin’. We’re goin’ to help you. Never leave one of our own in the cold.”
One of their own.
I fight back my tears.
“I want Ralston gone, and I want my brother out. I don’t give a shit how you do it, but there’s a way and you know it. You finish what he started,” I jerk a finger in Knox’s direction.
Knox’s jaw tics. “We’ll finish it. Said we would, and we fuckin’ will.”
“He’s right,” Wolfe says quietly, “We owe you and we owe Ruger.” There’s finality in his voice, the same tone I’ve heard before every bad idea in history and every impossible plan. He glances at everyone else in the room. They all nod.
“I’ll make a call, get Ruger a deal,” Wolfe says to me. “Got a big-time man who owes me a favor. I have someone he wants more than he wants your brother. Was holdin’ onto my cards, but I will use them because we owe you that. I’ll get your brother out.”
It’s so matter-of-fact, like he’s buying a loaf of bread and not bargaining away my brother’s life. I feel a little sick, but knot my arms tighter and nod. “Thank you.”
“We’ll finish prepping the lab this week,” Talon grunts, his voice always low and gravelly. “Everything will be ready. All we need is to get Ralston and his crew inside. No one leaves.”
“We’re moving the whole operation into the main barn,” Zane adds, glancing at me for approval like we’re partners in crime. “New ventilation, reinforced doors. No one’ll see it or hear jack shit. By the time the smoke clears, there won’t be enough left to sweep up. Basement ain’t big enough and if we want it done right, we need to make sure it’s epic.”