Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 34282 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34282 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
I’d never been interested in the boys at school, the little we got to interact with them, but older guys weren’t for me either. I’d noticed most of the women at Black Reign had men who were much older than they were. I didn’t think I could do that. Sting, however, while older than me, didn’t give me that icky feeling most older men did. Thinking back to when he’d had me on the pavement before, I hadn’t felt threatened. Even before I knew who had me, when I’d fought to get him off me, I hadn’t felt that bone-deep panic I should have.
I was so lost in thought I jumped and gave a little squeal when the door to the Bronco opened, and three girls scrambled in. The dome lights didn’t engage, so it was dark inside. I couldn’t see their faces, but as they pressed against me, I could feel them tremble.
“Come with me, Iris.” Sting’s deep, gruff voice was commanding, and I started moving before I really thought about it.
“Iris?” One of the girls squealed out my name. I squinted, trying to see, but it was impossible.
“Who is it?”
“It’s us, Iris.” Another of them answered. “Daisy, Monica, and Clover.”
I gasped. “What?” I reached for the girls, pulling Daisy and Monica close while little Clover crawled into my lap. Clover was only six, while the other girls were twelve. They were wrapped in thick blankets, but otherwise, didn’t seem to have any clothes on.
“They took us,” Daisy said bitterly. “Fuckers tried to…” She trailed off and shuddered against me.
“Why are you with these guys?” Monica spoke softly, almost a whisper. “Aren’t they just as bad as the others?”
Clover hadn’t said a word, but her arms were wound tightly around my neck, and she shivered continually. I thought she was weeping silently, and that was like a dagger to my heart. It wasn’t surprising. The girl hadn’t spoken since she’d first come to the home a year before. I suspected this incident wouldn’t help her along any.
“They aren’t like the ones who took you, Monica. They’re here to help, and to make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else.”
“I’m not going back to that fucking place.” It was no surprise Daisy felt that way. I’m sure they all did. I sure as hell did. There was no way I was taking Jerrica back, either.
“No one said anyone was goin’ back.” Sting’s voice startled me. I glanced sharply at the open door of the Bronco. He stood there, his big body silhouetted in the moonlight.
“I ain’t goin’ back either.” Monica’s voice wasn’t as strong as Daisy’s, but there was no doubt about her wishes.
“No, honey. You’re not. We’ll work it all out. Right now, we need to get back to the compound. Iris? You want to stay or ride with me?”
What kind of question was that? Of course, I wanted to ride with him! But little Clover’s arms tightened around my neck, and I knew I couldn’t leave the girls. Not even knowing they were safe.
Sting nodded once as if reading my mind. “I’ll see you back at the clubhouse.”
“But I didn’t say anything.”
“You didn’t have to, hellcat. They need to feel safe. You’re safe to them. No way you leave them when you know they need you.” Strangely he didn’t sound angry or resigned. He sounded… proud?
“You’re right. I can’t leave them.”
“You’re a good woman, Iris. You’ll make a great ol’ lady.” Why would he say that? What did that even mean? “We’ll get the young ladies settled. The women of the club will help with anything you need. Then we’ll go find Brick and bring your sister home.”
I needed to say something. To thank Sting or protest not going to get Jerrica now. Anything. But I nodded and wrapped my arms tighter around the girls. He was right. They needed to be taken care of.
“Will Brick take care of Jerrica?”
“He will until you get there. He’ll protect her with his life.”
“Why would he do that? He doesn’t know us.”
“Two reasons, hellcat. Brick is loyal to me. I told him to protect her with his life, so he will. Gladly. Second? He’s not exactly what I’d call a good guy, but he’s the most protective man I know. Even more than me. He will protect that girl with his life because she needs protecting.”
I sighed. Brick was the strong, silent type. The really big strong, silent type. It was possible he would terrify Jerrica, but there was no help for it. The quicker they got these three girls settled, the faster she could get to Jerrica.
Atlas opened the driver’s door and slid behind the wheel. “Let’s get you four home.”
“Ain’t goin’ back to the home!” Daisy sat up and tried to get out of the car.
“Relax, honey. Poor choice of words.” Atlas tried to smooth things over. “I should have said your new home. Ain’t no one there gonna hurt you. We got you away from the ones who took you. Besides, do you think Iris would let you go with us if it weren’t safe?”