Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“There’s a possibility he was aware of his father’s business dealings, and…”
“Ah, damn. You really think he’s involved in this mess.” I shook my head. “Of course, he’s involved. He was so far up his father’s ass, dude couldn’t even take a breath without getting his approval.”
“Well, I’d say it’s time for you two to have a conversation.”
“No doubt. I’ll get with him first thing in the morning.”
“Good deal. Let us know what you find out.”
“Will do.” I started for the door. “I already told Grim, but if anything comes up, I want to know. I don’t care when or what else is going on. I want to know.”
“You got it, and you do the same.”
I walked out of Prez’s office and made my way to the parking lot. I wasted no time getting on my bike and starting towards home. I left the clubhouse with more questions than answers. It was clear that Tallie’s father had gotten in over his head, and it cost him his life. Now, Volkov and his crew had turned their sights on Tallie and her mother, but they were wasting their time.
No way in hell I was going to let them near either of them.
I needed to put an end to this shit and fast, but before I could do that, I needed to know what the hell Tallie’s father had been up to. It was nothing good, no doubt about that. The pieces I had just didn’t fit, and it frustrated the hell out of me.
It weighed on me all the way home. By the time I pulled into the driveway, the night air had done little to ease my frustration. The house was quiet. All the lights were out except for the one in the kitchen. The tightness in my chest eased at the thought of Tallie still being awake. I wanted to see her more than I realized.
I parked my bike and headed up the back steps. When I walked into the kitchen, I found her standing at the counter with a slice of cold pizza in her hand. Her hair was up, and she was wearing a pair of worn gray flannel pajamas. They were frayed at the cuffs, and a button missing near the collar, but they looked good on her—damn good.
Surprise flickered in her eyes when she looked up and saw me standing in the doorway. But the surprise quickly faded, and a soft smile crept across her face, and it hit me like a punch to the gut. And just like that, her spell had been cast.
I crossed the room without a word, closing the space between us. The questions, the frustration, all of it faded as I slipped my arm around her waist and pulled her close, kissing her like she was the only thing that mattered. She tasted like pepperoni and the comfort of home. Her hands slid up my chest, fingers curling into my shirt like she needed me just as much as I needed her.
After a few moments, she eased back and smiled, “Hey.”
“Hey, yourself.” I let my eyes skirt over her as I said, “Surprised you’re still up.”
“Yeah, well, Ford has been out for hours, but I couldn’t sleep.” She motioned her hand toward the half-eaten slice of pizza in her hand as she said, “Thought a bite to eat would help, but no such luck.”
“I got something that might do the trick.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“I mean, I can’t make any promises,” I cocked my brow, “but we could definitely give it a try.”
“I’m game.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.”
I took what was left of the slice of pizza and tossed it into the sink, then took her hand in mine and led her down the hall. Once we were in my room, I closed the door, and just like that, I forgot about the Volkovs, about her father, and all the bullshit that came with them. My focus was all on her, and the way she looked at me like I was her whole world. I was about to show her that she was mine.
Tallie stopped at the foot of the bed and watched as I kicked off my boots. “Is this really happening, or am I dreaming?”
“Oh yeah, baby. It’s really happening, and it’s been a long time coming.”
I stepped closer, gently placing my hand on the nape of her neck and pulled her mouth to mine. The touch of her lips set me on fire, and I knew there was no more holding back. I couldn’t resist a moment longer.
I needed her, and from the way she kissed me, there was no doubt she felt the same about me. I’d imagined this moment countless times over the past eight years. I’d longed for it, prayed for it, and I’d all but given up hope that it would ever happen again. And now, here she was in my arms, and I won’t deny that it terrified me.