Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“It was the suggestion it might have been drugs,” Raven said. “They used the arrest as an excuse to make sure the kids were away from a dangerous situation. It’s why they called CPS in the first place.”
“They didn’t drug test me or anything.”
“No.” Raven smiled. “I threatened to sue the entire city if they did when Wylde got me the surveillance footage someone had erased.” He raised an eyebrow at me. “Which I’m certain Wylde will look into.”
“Damned straight.” I took Danica’s hand. “Come on. Food, then I’ll get Iris to take you to your room.”
I led them to the great room where supper was just being set out. Blaze and Walker’s woman, Blossom, cooked the evening meal together while Walker hovered. The woman’s puppy, Sparkle, sat in one corner watching intently, her eyes focused intently on Blossom as she set out food. When the dog let out a small whine, Blossom snagged a hotdog and knelt down in front of the puppy, who eagerly took the meat from her hand and ate. Blossom ruffled her ears before going back to the table.
Blaze let out a shrill whistle. “Feedin’ time!”
Lemon rolled her eyes while Apple looked up at Deacon who winked at her. The girl gave him a faint smile before taking the plate Lemon offered her and filling it with a burger and chips.
Danica did the same, looking over her shoulder at me. I placed my hand at the small of her back to urge her forward to get a drink, then steered her to a table where the members with old ladies had taken seats. I noticed Deacon led Apple and Lemon there as well but didn’t try to sit with them. Instead, he gave Apple’s shoulder a squeeze before going to a table farther away with more of our brothers. None of the club girls were in the room. If I knew Sting’s woman, Iris, she’d banned them while we had guests. Thank God.
As I watched the three eat and slowly allow the old ladies draw them into the conversation, I knew this was what I wanted for myself. I started to turn away and go sit with that bastard Deacon, then thought better of it. Instead, I dropped into a seat beside Danica and raised an eyebrow at Sting. The bastard smirked but nodded.
I’d just claimed Danica in front of my president and most of the officers. I was so fucked it wasn’t even funny.
Chapter Four
Danica
The room Iris led us to was more like a small apartment. There was a living room with a couch, TV, and a small eating table. No kitchen, but there were two areas in opposite corners of the room with privacy screens around them. On the other side of the screens were twin beds. One for each of the girls. Another room -- a smaller bedroom -- had two chests of drawers and one full-size bed. I had no doubt the girls would be moving their beds together. If they indicated they wanted to, I’d probably give them the bedroom. They’d slept together since they were babies, or at least in the same room. We’d discuss it.
“I appreciate you and the others putting us up for the night. It’s not necessary, though. We’ll be fine at our house.”
Iris smiled gently at me. “Wylde wants to make sure all the loose ends are tied up before he’ll feel good about you going back. Don’t worry, though. That man is worse than a dog with a bone when he gets to looking into something. He’ll make sure everything’s good quickly. Wouldn’t surprise me if he had it all worked out tonight and you can go home tomorrow.”
“I have to work tomorrow. The girls have school. The guy from outside. Was his name Clutch?” When Iris nodded her head, I continued. “He said it’d take him a few days to work on my car.”
“Don’t worry. Sting will make sure one of the prospects is available to get you where you need to go. You and your girls.”
I pursed my lips. “Didn’t Deacon say he was a prospect?”
“Yes. He is. Don’t worry. Sting will have a talk with him. Besides, if you’re not comfortable with him, you don’t have to use him. Sting will probably assign someone else anyway.”
“I take it he already knows about Deacon and Apple?”
“Not much in Iron Tzars Sting doesn’t know about.” She pulled me in for a hug. “You have my number. If you need anything, and I mean anything, you call or text. I want you to feel at home here.”
“Why? ‘Cause I gotta tell you, this all feels surreal.”
Iris chuckled. “Yeah. The guys are like that. Just stick to the approved places and everything will be fine.”
“What happens if I go wandering around on my own?”
“One of the guys will escort you back. They’re big on secrecy, but since more and more of them have picked up women and children, they’ve taken more precautions. It’s for our protection as well as theirs.”