Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 47579 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47579 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
Wraith took a half step back, and Caroline moved with him. She wouldn’t let him get away without a fight.
“Okay, Caroline. I forgive you. Is that what you need to hear?”
“No. I need you to call me Precious. To hug me. Maybe spank my bottom for how I acted. I need you to not just say the words. I need you to mean them.”
He closed his eyes for several seconds before reopening them to stare back down at her. Shaking his head as if rebuking himself, Wraith wrapped his hands around her waist and asked, “What scared you?”
“The Enforcer thing. I’ve never known anyone who exists to be violent.”
“You’ve watched too many movies. I don’t go around beating people up or worse. An Enforcer’s job contains muscle, but most of it is using this muscle,” Wraith pointed to his head. “I handle disputes between members and make sure everyone is following the rules.”
“So, you’re like a police officer.”
“I guess you could look at it that way if you’d rather. I’m not going to lie to you. The Devil Daddies will use force if it’s warranted without a second thought.”
She swallowed hard and forced herself to ask, “Does that include you?”
“Yes.”
He didn’t explain. Caroline understood he wouldn’t. “I guess what’s really important is…. Do you still care about me, Wraith, or did I ruin everything?”
Wraith studied her face. Was he debating how he felt or trying to figure out if he could trust her?
He lifted a hand and cupped her jaw, threading his fingers through her hair. Seconds ticked by, as she waited for him to decide. When he shook his head, she inhaled sharply and expected the worst.
“Damn, I’ve missed you.”
The tears she’d worked so hard to hold back poured down her cheeks. “I’ve missed you too.”
“We don’t do this again, Precious. Don’t leave me without giving us time to talk things over.”
“I won’t run away. I knew I was stupid before I reached the car.”
“Don’t call yourself stupid, Little girl,” he told her as he wiped her tears from her cheeks with calloused hands.
“Wraith? You done? We need you over here.” A voice yelled from the end of the aisle.
“Fuck off, Fury,” Wraith answered without glancing away from her.
“I’ll find Vex to help,” the biker called back.
“I don’t want to get you in trouble,” Caroline whispered.
“You won’t. Vex will handle it until I show up. I’ve got something urgent going on now. It’s going to take a while. Can you wait for me?”
“Definitely. Shall I go back to the bar?” she asked.
“If anyone bothers you, tell them Wraith said Code Pink.”
“Code Pink,” she repeated so she wouldn’t forget it. Caroline hesitated for a split second before daring to ask, “Could you kiss me?”
Wraith claimed her lips with a soft, sweet kiss. It didn’t contain the heat she craved but soothed her heart. He cared about her.
Smiling, Caroline released his shirt. She’d hold on later. “Thank you for giving me another chance.”
“Go wash your face, Little girl. No more tears. I’ll be there soon,” he promised.
After retracing her steps, Caroline handed the hard hat back to the men at the door with her thanks. They didn’t ask her questions, but she could tell they’d spotted her blotchy face. She smiled to reassure them everything was okay before returning to Inferno.
“I didn’t get a call to escort you off the grounds,” Scythe greeted her as she practically skipped inside. He rose from his lean against the wall.
“No. I’m going to wait for Wraith in the bar,” Caroline told him, unsure what to say. “Thank you for helping me.”
“Call if you need something. I’m around.”
The handsome biker strode away without another word. Guessing she must have passed some test with him, Caroline headed to the bathroom to erase the tear marks from her face. She wanted to look her best for Wraith.
CHAPTER 7
Wraith spotted Caroline at the bar and headed her way. As much as he loved hanging out at Inferno, he was eager to have her all to himself. Scoping out the area, he spotted Scythe stationed near the bar, keeping an eye on her. He paused when he got close to the other biker.
“You sent her?” Wraith asked.
“You’ve been a complete ass for weeks. I figured that meant something,” Scythe answered.
“Yeah. Thanks. I owe you one.”
“Hopefully, I’ll get to collect someday. I have to find my Little first.”
“My fingers are crossed for you. I’m out tonight,” Wraith told him.
“Lucien already found a replacement,” Scythe shared with a grin.
“You talked to Lucien?”
“Nah. Lucien is aware of everything that happens on his turf. I saw the assignments update an hour ago. Take a few days away,” Scythe suggested.
“I’ll do that.”
Without another word, Wraith continued toward the special woman at the bar. He’d wanted to go claim her a hundred times over the last few weeks but knew Caroline would have to decide to accept him as he was. As the days had stretched on, he’d lost hope. When he’d turned around to find her looking adorable in that hard hat, he’d been shocked. He’d had to lock himself in place to keep from hugging her.