Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 80902 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80902 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Do I drive right in? I pull over in the street outside, and a young guy comes running out before I can decide what to do.
He knocks on the window. “Gimme your keys, I’ll get her parked.”
“We have bags in the trunk.” The one thing I managed to convince them of was going by the house to pack what we’d need for a few days away from home.
“No problem, I’ll bring it in.”
Mia dozed off on the way over. It doesn’t happen every time we drive anymore, but syrup or not, she’s had a long day. Havoc jogs over and helps me pull her out of her booster seat. I grab her tiny backpack. Holding it makes me feel a little better.
She lifts her head, confused. “Mommy? Where are we?”
“Somewhere safe, baby.” I hope at least. “We’re going to stay with Havoc and his friends for a little bit.”
“Okay,” she says with a big yawn. She puts her arms around his neck and rests her head on his shoulder, but she’s awake now and taking everything in.
Walking through the gates is like entering a different world. A huge warehouse dominates the center of the compound. A gigantic Screaming Eagles logo lights up the sky above us, and next to the warehouse is a cavernous garage full of motorcycles and bikers. Tattooed men are working on their bikes under bright lights, the sounds of machines running and the hiss of hydraulics cutting through the heavy music blaring out of speakers inside. On the other side of the warehouse, there's a row of houses that disappears around the back. They look almost… homey? The Pit Vipers clubhouse looked like a scaled up version of a frat that nobody grew out of, but this looks like a place people actually live. The houses are painted, and there’s even grass in front, with scattered toys and playground equipment.
“I wanna go down,” Mia says, squirming in Havoc’s arms. He looks at me and I nod.
“Okay, kiddo,” I tell her, “but you have to hold my hand. This is a big place with a lot of people who might not know who you are, so we have to make sure we're careful. Can you be good for me?” I take Mr. Bear out of her backpack and hand him to her.
She squeezes him tight while she looks around with wide eyes and holds out her hand. “Yep.”
“Good. Let's go.” My brain keeps telling me that the moment I let go, someone is going to come steal her away again. I know she’s right here and the guys won’t let anyone get to her, but for now I'm going to use the feeling of her sweaty little palm against mine to keep me from bursting into tears.
Sledge puts his hand on my back, comforting me. “You're gonna be fine. I swear, if anyone comes after either of you, they’ll have to go through us, and you see all these other motherfuckers? The same goes for them.”
“Well, I hope it doesn't come to that.” My smile is a little forced, but it really does make me feel better to hear him tell me that. “So where are we going? In there?” I look up at the warehouse, curious but a little afraid to see what’s inside.
Sledge shakes his head. “Nah, not yet. If it was just you… maybe. It’s getting late, and the clubhouse at night isn't a great place for a four-year-old. We're gonna go over to Alessa's instead. I called ahead, so she knows we're coming.”
“Alessa?” I squeeze Mia’s hand without realizing it and she lets out an unhappy grunt.
“Can I go jump?” Mia asks, pointing to a small trampoline.
“Yeah, of course you can. Let her go. It’s safe,” Havoc assures me.
I take a deep breath and open my hand so she can go play. “Sorry. I just don’t know how comfortable I feel about random club chicks right now.”
A laugh bursts out of Phoenix. “Don’t let anyone hear you say that. Alessa’s good people even if her family’s a bit fucked. She's got four men watching out for her, and three little kids running around. I don’t know exactly how old they are, but Mia should fit right in.”
“You have families living right here in the compound?” I shouldn’t be shocked if there are toys lying around, but in my short time with Dodger, I didn’t see any sign of them. Back then I was caught up in the excitement, and I was too young and insecure to ask questions. “Dodger made it sound like most of the old ladies weren’t welcome. The only other women I saw were…”
“Just the sluts and anyone they could pick up to fuck?” Havoc notes with growly disdain. “Shit, I should’ve warned you off him but I figured you were old enough to make your own decisions. There are always guys like him, but even the lost boys have to grow up sometime or it gets pathetic.”