Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 52932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
“She’s his daughter,” another voice says, one I don’t recognise. “We can’t just take her out, Hunt will know. He may be sick, but he’s not fuckin’ stupid.”
“He’ll be dead soon.” Gordon’s assurance has my blood turning to ice. “The poison I’ve been using might be slow to take effect, but it won’t show up in any routine tests the doctors run. With Harley and the Royal Bastards snooping around, I’ve had to give Hunt a final dose. I’m in hiding now.”
I want to go out there and kill Gordon myself, but when I glance towards Hadrian, all I see are those dark eyes promising me vengeance. He shakes his head slowly, and lifting his free hand, he gently presses his index finger to his lips. I want nothing more than for my mouth to replace that digit. Even if it’s just for a fleeting moment.
I watch as Hadrian types out a quick text on his phone and sends it before showing me the screen. He’s sent a message to Hades telling him to let the doctors know that my father has been poisoned.
“You know, it might not be so easy to kill him,” the stranger warns. “That man is stronger than you think.”
“The problems he’s had with his heart together with the poison should be enough to finish him. He’s in the hospital as we speak, but even if they don’t kill him, the sicker he gets, the easier it will be to end him and his daughter, once and for all.
I look up at Hadrian, who’s watching me intently. Emotion dances in his eyes, and I wonder what’s going through his mind. I didn’t think I was afraid of anything, but the thought of my father dying has a choke hold on me. I need Hadrian to tell me everything’s going to be all right.
“I think the sooner we get the paperwork signed and the rest of the stock moved, the better it will be for both of us.” The stranger’s accent comes through as he speaks, but I can’t place it.
I haven’t heard his voice before, and it’s bothering me. I want to know who this man is that’s working with Gordon.
I hear the sound of the large metal door to the warehouse shutting behind them as they leave. Silence finally falls, and I register again just how close Hadrian and I are in the tight confines of the cupboard where we’re concealed. He opens the door slowly, and as light streams into the space, I can see the way his jaw ticks as he steps out.
“Hades has sent a reply, telling me the doctors have started screening for poison.” I breathe a sigh of relief. “Who was that with Gordon?” he asks, turning to me.
“I don’t know. I wish I could tell you. I don’t recognise his voice. One thing I do know for certain is that Gordon is planning to take everything from my da and me.”
“I’ll do whatever is needed to help you,” Hadrian promises.
Anger is radiating off him as if he’s wearing it like a cologne. My father took the twins in when they needed a home, and they became a part of our family. Hadrian may have chosen to walk away because he didn’t agree with all aspects of the business, but I have a feeling he still loves my da.
Hadrian’s gaze lingers on mine, and I want nothing more than for him to tell me he still feels something for me. I want him to admit he reciprocates my stupid feelings, but then he looks away, and I know he’s not going to tell me what I want to hear. I need to stop holding out any hope that Hadrian came back for me. He’s here for his club, and that’s all there is to it.
“I need you to help me bring down Gordon and his associates. Once you’ve done that, you can go back to Belfast.” I can hear the anger and frustration I feel leaching into the tone of my voice.
“Why do you say it like that?” he asks me as he pins me with a glare so fierce, I take a step back. “Tell me, Magpie.”
When he calls me that, I can’t resist a small smile. He gave me that nickname after I returned from the hairdresser one afternoon. My hair had been dyed raven black with a streak of deep, shimmering blue that fell over my face. He told me the colour reminded him of the beautiful bird who loves shiny things. No one else has ever called me Magpie. It’s always been ours.
I don’t know how to respond to his question, so I shake my head and walk away.
We spend the next few days gathering more intel, following leads, and narrowing down our list of suspects. It’s exhausting work, but the progress we’re making keeps us going. I’m relentless, my focus unwavering, as I drive us forwards.