Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36019 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36019 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
The bastard who knew exactly how to drop a structure without anyone tracing the cause. I’d taught the motherfucker everything he knew.
“He’s the one on all the footage,” Peyton said softly. “The walk, the build, even the gloves.”
I nodded once, tight and grim.
She stepped closer, voice barely above a whisper. “What are we gonna do?”
I stared at her for a beat—at the worry creasing her brow, the fury simmering behind those violet eyes. She wasn’t scared. She was ready to go to war.
But that had to wait. And when the time came, she wouldn’t be anywhere near the battlefield.
“We’ll handle it later,” I said, tossing the file on the desk.
Her lips parted in confusion. “But—”
I grabbed the front of her shirt and yanked her into me, her body colliding with mine, fitting just right because she fucking belonged there. “Right now,” I said, voice dropping, “we have more important matters.”
Then I crushed my mouth to hers.
She melted against me, breath hitching, fingers gripping my sides like she couldn’t stand even an inch of space between us.
Later, we’d hunt Calder. We’d burn his world to ash.
But tonight?
Tonight, she was mine.
12
PEYTON
Iwasn’t sure how much progress the Iron Rogues had made since I traced that shell company back to Wrecker’s old unit. The moment Reid saw Ward Calder’s name tied to it, the pieces started falling into place—but not the way I expected. It was personal now. More than just structural negligence or corporate greed.
Reid hadn’t told me everything, but I knew they were moving fast behind the scenes. He promised they had it handled. And I believed him.
Which was why I hadn’t pushed for more details. Especially not over the past couple of days.
What Blade had shared with me still echoed in my head, allowing me to better understand the weight Reid carried, and the shadows in his eyes.
It was also how I could guess where he was headed even before he confirmed it.
“I need to take care of something. Not sure when I’ll get back, but I’ll be gone for a while,” he told me, his voice quieter than usual as he grabbed his keys from the top of the dresser.
I stood and crossed the room, my heart hammering. “And I’m coming with you.”
My firm tone got his attention. His gaze locked on mine. “You don’t even know where I’m going, baby.”
“I know about the woman you feel like you let down.” I reached up, resting my hand against his chest. “And how you visit her each year.”
His jaw flexed. “How’d you know?”
“Blade told me.” Irritation flashed in his dark gaze, and I hurried to explain. “Only because I got all jealous when Alice said something about you going to see her.”
One side of his mouth kicked up. “You got possessive over me?”
“Yeah.” I tugged on his cut as I went on my toes to give him a quick kiss. “Which is why Blade took pity on me and shared the story of how you got your road name.”
“You don’t need to worry about Susan.”
“I know, but I still want to come with you.” I smiled up at him. “Let me support you like you do with me.”
A long pause stretched between us, his body still but his thoughts warring behind those dark eyes. Finally, he gave a short nod. “Okay.”
The hour-long drive passed mostly in silence, but not the kind that felt awkward. We took his truck, and Reid’s fingers stayed wrapped around mine on the center console, his thumb tracing idle strokes over my skin. He didn’t speak much, and I didn’t ask him to. I was at his side, and that was enough for me.
When we pulled into a quiet neighborhood on the outskirts of Chattanooga, I was happy to see how normal the house looked. It was small but warm-looking, painted a soft blue with white shutters and flowers blooming in containers near the porch. A welcome mat sat at the bottom of a long ramp that led to the front door.
Reid cut the engine and sat there for a second, staring at the house like it held ghosts.
“Ready?” I asked gently.
His voice was rough as he answered, “More than I usually am.”
The woman who answered the door was tiny, but there was nothing hesitant in the way she moved. She rolled herself smoothly back to make room for us, smiling as though she hadn’t noticed the pain in Reid’s eyes.
“Hey, stranger,” she said softly.
Reid stepped forward and bent to wrap her in a hug. “Hey, Susan.”
The way her arms came around his shoulders made my throat tighten. There was no awkwardness between them. Just understanding.
When they pulled apart, her gaze shifted to me. “And you brought a guest for the first time ever.”
Reid slid his arm around my waist. “This is my Peyton.”
“Anyone who’s important to Reid is more than welcome in my home.” Susan offered her hand with a warm smile. “It’s nice to meet you.”