Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 62710 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62710 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
He doesn’t say anything.
As always.
“I was falling in love with you.” I laugh, bitterly. “Now I say it, it seems pathetic. I was warned, God, I was warned by everyone around me, but I went ahead anyway because I believed that the world had wronged you. Now, you’re no better than them.”
His face flashes with something I haven’t seen before—shock.
“What is it, Nightmare,” I say, tipping my head to the side, “never thought you were capable of being loved? Well, you were ... until you weren’t.”
This time, I leave.
They don’t stop me.
I know I probably shocked them all.
Good. Maybe this time they’ll understand.
I’m not waiting to see if they will.
No, I’m going to finish this, because I have nothing left to lose.
A KNOCK ON MY DOOR has me pausing, not sure if answering it is a safe option. I’ve come home, just to get a few things, and Leo is outside. Maybe I accidentally locked him out? I place down the bag of clothes I just packed and walk over, opening the door. In front of me, Leo is standing beside a police officer. He isn’t familiar to me, a face I haven’t seen before, and he’s only quite young, maybe early thirties.
“He showed me his credentials,” Leo assures me when my eyes dart to his. “He’s safe, but I’m here anyway, just in case he’s not.”
The officer looks to Leo, with an expression that is less than impressed.
“Bonnie. My name is Ryan, I’m a detective. I was wondering if you would mind having a word with me?”
A detective.
As if I trust them.
“I mean this in the least rude way possible, but I don’t trust a single one of you people after what happened to me,” I say, carefully.
Leo gives Ryan a satisfied look.
Ryan ignores him.
“I respect that. You don’t have to tell me anything you’re not comfortable with, but if you wouldn’t mind giving me five minutes of your time, I might be able to help.”
I’m intrigued, I can’t say I’m not.
I at least want to know why he’s here.
“It’s okay, Leo,” I say. “You can go back to the car. We’ll stay where you can see us.”
Leo gives Ryan a skeptical look, but goes back to the car. The moment he’s in, he looks over at us, and I know he won’t look away. He won’t let me come to any kind of harm if he can help it. I look back to Ryan. “What can I help you with, detective?”
“I understand you’re involved with the Prisoners of Purgatory Motorcycle Club?”
Wait, he’s here to talk about the club? Not the ex-mayor? That’s news.
“I’m not involved with them,” I point out.
“You wrote a story about Western Aiken, you must have spent some time with him to get that kind of information.”
“What is this about? Just get to the point.”
Ryan is quite handsome, and if it wasn’t for the fact that I trust literally no one outside of Leo and Luna, I would appreciate his looks a little more. He’s tall, well-muscled but lean, and against his olive skin, his dark, thick, neatly styled hair looks pretty nice. His eyes are light blue, and he has perfect teeth. He’s the kind of man who would grab your attention, no doubt about it.
“I want your help, in return for something you might want,” Ryan says, studying my face, as if he’s taking me all in.
“And what, dare I ask, might I want?”
“Proof that Bill Whart is the one who killed Daniel and Braithe. The proof you would need to free Western, not only that, but clear his name entirely and put Bill, and whoever else he is working with, away for a very long time.”
I can’t deny it, my ears prick up at that.
“And in return, you would want what exactly?”
“I would ask for information on the club, but I know you won’t give it to me. Instead, I’ll ask for one member - Colt. Information that proves he has his hand in human trafficking.”
I don’t mean to, but my eyes widen with shock.
Colt involved in human trafficking? No, there is no way. He might be a biker, but he’s not a monster. He wouldn’t sell people for money.
“I think you’ve got it wrong.”
“I don’t,” Ryan answers, his voice determined. “The boys you talk about, the ones that go missing, he knows something about it.”
I shake my head. “No, no way.”
“Believe me when I say, he does. I just need proof of that. I can’t get close enough to get what I need, so I need someone on the inside.”
“Let me get this straight.” I shake my head before speaking again. “You want me to trade one dangerous group for another? Because if Colt finds out I shared information with a cop, I don’t think I’d live to see another sunny day.”