Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 37638 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 188(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37638 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 188(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
“Way to throw a brother under the bus, asshole,” Sting groused but didn’t look angry. Just frustrated.
“My woman wants vengeance, she’s gettin’ it,” I said. “One thing I’ve learned is that Serelda is stronger than she thought she was.”
“Don’t you mean, than you thought she was?” Roman had Winter wrapped tightly in his arms, obviously not liking her being here with something as monstrous as a man who’d been calmly eating fried pieces of her skin.
“No. I knew from the moment I met her she was a fierce warrior. She was letting her wounds heal before she went for revenge.”
Serelda looked up at me like I’d hung the moon. The very last place in the world I wanted my woman to be was here in this moment with these bastards. My club was here to protect her, but no one could protect her from nightmares. The only thing restraining me from shutting her securely outside this barn was knowing she needed this. She was strong enough to either do what she needed to, or to watch us do it for her.
“You’re a wonderful man, Xander. Thank you for letting me do this even though I know you don’t want me to.”
“You’re the VP’s ol’ lady, Serelda. Anyone underestimates you at their own peril. Honey, that ain’t me.” I met and held her gaze. Serelda’s chin went up and her shoulders back. In that moment, she was every bit the equal of any man in that barn.
Serelda turned and addressed Sting. “I have no idea if this guy is crazy or if he’s trying to fuck with us, but this is one of the men who tortured us thirteen years ago. He’s the one who was more methodical.” She held her wrist out to Sting for him to see. Winter did the same.
“Serelda always tried to take his attention away from me.” Winter’s voice was soft as she spoke, her gaze on the Cannibal never wavering. She looked like prey, keeping an eye on the predator, trying to decide if she needed to get to safety.
“He fixated on Winter,” Serelda explained. “I knew if I didn’t do something, he’d do more than just scar her.”
The women stood shoulder to shoulder, clasping hands as they faced the man who’d haunted them for more than a decade. Serelda got close to him, tilting her head to the side as if trying to size him up. The guy had a look of wonder on his face, like he was face-to-face with his greatest dream.
“Number Two? My lovely, deliciousssss girl.” He looked and sounded like he was euphoric. Clearly, he wasn’t right. “I’ll pick you over my Number One this time. Just…” He licked his lips. “Just one little taste…”
One of the guys hanging from the rafters puked. Violently. I knew the feeling.
“We’re gonna fuckin’ die.”
I thought that was the guy who’d tried to reason with us earlier. Sounded like he understood now.
“Yeah.” That was the guy who’d offered to cooperate for a quick death. “Maybe we should. This guy’s a sicko.”
“I don’t want to die…” The man broke down, sobbing softly. He didn’t beg, though. Guess he was smarter than I first thought. Just not smart enough to not accept money for kidnapping someone.
“Life is a series of choices,” Serelda said, turning her gaze to the wimpy guy. “Sometimes, you choose death whether you realize it at the time or not.”
“Honey, anyone choosing to prey on women or children is begging for death.” Sting gripped Serelda’s shoulder. “When they do, it’s up to men like us to give them what they’re askin’ for.”
Serelda nodded slowly. “Yes. I, for one, am grateful.”
Sting dropped his hand, looking at the men we’d lined up. He pointed to the practical one. “Save him for later. I have some questions for him before he dies. As I remember it, Winter and Serelda specified there were two men who tortured them.”
The man nodded. “I’ve worked for this guy for a long time. I’m not sure if the man I remember is the one you’re talking about, but if you’ll promise me a quick death, I’ll tell you what I know.”
“Already said a quick death was your reward. Just thought you’d like this time to prepare.”
He shrugged. “Waiting is sometimes its own torture.”
Sting pursed his lips, obviously trying to make up his mind. Then he nodded once. “Deal. Tell me.”
“His name was Sigmund Mural. He had a thing about blood.” The guy glanced at Serelda before dropping his gaze.
“Sig…” Serelda whispered. “That’s what he called the man.” Serelda nodded to the Cannibal. “He cut us in patterns, deeper than just the top layer of skin. Sig preferred shallow cuts. Just enough to make us bleed.”
Serelda had gone pale, and Winter looked like she either wanted to kill someone or throw up. Instead of doing either, she threw her shoulders back much like Serelda had and schooled her features. Our women were determined to see this through to the end.