Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 46461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 232(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 232(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
“I wasn’t supposed to get anything. Everything my father had was to be split between several charities in the community. That’s what’s going to happen. I’ll fight you in court every step of the way.” I took a step forward toward Goldstein. “And when I prove that you had a hand in killing my father, I’ll personally put a bullet in your head.” I had no idea where my outburst came from, but something made Goldstein take a step back, his face going pale.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Yeah? Then you’ve got nothing to worry about. I’ll see you in court.”
Thorn stepped between me and Goldstein then. “I think that’s your cue to leave,” he said, stepping into Goldstein’s personal space so the man had to back up a step.
“I’m not leaving without Emmanuell.”
Thorn shifted his focus to the one man Goldstein had brought with him who looked like he was taking the meeting seriously. The scary one. “Mr. Black. What’s the DA doing in an MC clubhouse?” Thorn’s expression held a ghost of a smile. Like there was a joke. And it was on Goldstein.
“I was invited along by Mr. Goldstein here. I work out with one of his partners. They seemed to think my presence here would urge Miss Stanton’s cooperation.”
“Do you know anything about the death of Emmanuell’s father?”
Mr. Black shrugged. “I know the case was never officially solved. Mr. Goldstein tried to get it ruled an accident by bribing the medical examiner. Unfortunately, the ME is a personal friend of mine and came to me with it shortly after he was approached. We’ve been working quietly on it ever since.”
“What?” Goldstein turned to Mr. Black. “Vincent! We’ve been friends since you came to the DA’s office.”
“I have many friends, Randall,” Mr. Black said dryly. “Especially when someone wants something. I accompanied you here to see what you would do, and you did exactly what I expected. What would happen to Miss Stanton once you got her away from the protection of her friends and her man? I’m betting the car you purchased for her when you found out she was still alive has a little issue with the brakes. Just like her father’s car.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. This is outrageous!”
“Is it? Well. We’ll see, won’t we.” Mr. Black turned to Thorn. “The car’s been impounded, and I have a mechanic going over it as we speak. I’ll keep you posted, but it really looks like you were right. Keep your girl safe, Ripper. Don’t worry about any of this. I’ll take care of this scum. Consider it done.”
“I owe you, Wrath,” Gideon said.
“Just bring the girls to visit Holly and Bella. Holly’s dying to get them their own St. Bernard puppies as gifts. To help you protect them, of course.”
“Puppies?” I asked, looking from Gideon to Mr. Black. Had he called him Wrath?
“Long story, baby.”
“You know these people, Vincent?”
Wrath stiffened, turning back to Mr. Goldstein. “Oh. Randall. I forgot you were there.” He waved his hand at the two other men. “Escort him to my office. I’ll take care of everything else from there. And just so we’re clear, Randall, you’re the scum I was referring to.”
“What the hell? What’s going on here, Vincent?” The two men each took hold of one of Goldstein’s arms. “Stop that!” Goldstein tried to shrug them off, fighting them, but it was useless. The men had a tight grip on him. One snapped handcuffs on him, locking his arms behind his back. They forced him toward the clubhouse door. “You can’t do this!”
“All evidence to the contrary.” Wrath smirked, then he stepped forward and extended his hand to me. “Miss Stanton.” I took his hand and he squeezed briefly. “It’s been a pleasure. I look forward to meeting under less formal circumstances. My Celeste would love to meet you and your daughters.”
“You know about them?”
“I’m with another club in the area. Black Reign. We are allies with Salvation’s Bane and have made several friends with this club and their sister club, Bones. When Thorn contacted me, he told me you needed any threat to you gone because of your daughters. He was afraid that, if Goldstein knew about them, he’d try to get to you through them. The last thing any of us will ever allow is for someone to threaten our children.” He glanced at Gideon. “Ripper, it’s good seeing you.” Then he left.
“What will happen now?” I watched as Vincent Black, the District Attorney, aka Wrath, left the clubhouse. Mr. Goldstein could still be heard yelling outside until there was a sickening thud, like flesh meeting flesh, and he was abruptly cut off.
“Wrath will take care of him,” Gideon said. “He’s been getting information from one of my contacts.”
“My guess is, Wrath already knows Goldstein is guilty,” Thorn added. “Goldstein won’t make it to Wrath’s office. He’ll let me know when it’s done.”