Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 65682 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 328(@200wpm)___ 263(@250wpm)___ 219(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65682 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 328(@200wpm)___ 263(@250wpm)___ 219(@300wpm)
I have an idea. “Tank fits those criteria too. He doesn’t bring unnecessary heat on the club, does what he’s told, and doesn’t fuck up. Diesel fits too, but after that fireworks bullshit, it makes me wonder if he’s mature enough.”
Setting off fireworks in the middle of the night like a goddamn teenager is bad enough, but so close to shit hitting the fan? That’s almost unforgivable.
“I agree. Diesel needs more time to prove he can handle the responsibility of being patched, but he’s almost there. I’m gonna put Coop in charge of getting some more guys ready. We’re gonna need them.”
He doesn’t need to spell it out for me. We are both aware that crossing the cartel is dangerous.
“We’ll be ready,” I assure him. “And if we’re not, we need to be ruthless because they will be.”
“We’ll be both,” Ace shoots back quickly. “They killed two of ours, and there’s no fucking way I’m letting them get away with that.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Valentina
Jake is coming to the hotel today to meet with Papa, and I know this is the perfect chance to make my move.
After a quick private yoga session to clear my mind, I shower and dress carefully in a silky white slip dress and a teardrop diamond necklace to highlight my cleavage. I remember like it was yesterday, Jake’s eyes popping when he looked at my tits, and I hope to capture that same reaction today.
If I can get to him.
With my hair and makeup done to perfection, I step into sky-high stilettos, grab a small purse, and make my way down to the bar in the service elevator that penthouse staff uses, my ever-present bodyguard none the wiser.
I enter the dimly lit lobby and look around. The service elevator has no cameras, and even though I don’t like what it says about how little the hotel cares about its employees, I’m happy to be able to come and go undetected.
I approach the bar and sit on a stool, the soft cushion sinking beneath me. The bartender takes my order promptly, and I search for Jake while sipping a glass of crisp white wine. The cool liquid soothes my nerves as the excitement and anticipation build.
My heart races as I can see the lobby from where I sit at the bar, waiting for the bikers to enter. It won’t be difficult to spot a group of leather-clad men who look as if they can kick the world’s ass. When I finally see him, my heart stops.
In daylight, he is even more gorgeous than I remember, with broad shoulders and long, lean legs cased in well-worn denim. But it’s the intensity of his eyes as he scans the area that hits me square in the chest. Then the delicious feeling works its way down between my thighs, where the pulsing threatens to make me lose my mind.
He’s so strong, so solid, and he gives off those don’t fuck with me vibes that set my libido—and my heart—racing wildly.
I push off the stool and slowly make my way toward him and his friend, then I ‘accidentally’ bump into him.
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” I say in a breathy whisper, grasping one of his muscled arms. I slide a keycard to a motel off the interstate with a note into the pocket of his leather vest.
“My apologies,” I say, licking my lips to tease him before heading toward the penthouse elevators.
Inside the elevator, I press the button for the parking garage. Papa will be in a meeting for a while and won’t notice I’ve taken the car. I jump into the sleek black Mercedes and pull out of the garage, glancing in the rearview mirror a few times to make sure I’m not followed.
My heart beats overtime, hoping Jake shows up and won’t be upset that I lied about my family to him.
I arrive at the motel thirty minutes later, and the wait is agonizing. I sit, stand, and pace the tiny room, waiting to hear the telltale beep of the door lock.
The motel isn’t as bad as I imagined. The sheets are clean, and the surfaces are dust free, which makes it the perfect meet-up spot. I wonder if Jake will show up, and then I think that maybe his meeting with Papa serves as a reminder about my lies.
Nearly two hours pass, and just as I’m about to abandon hope, the door opens. My heart catches in my throat, and I push off the edge of the bed, smooth down my dress as I take in several deep breaths and let them out slowly.
“Jake. You came.” His hazel gaze lands on mine, and instantly I feel it, the connection and the electricity between us. The spark is still there.
“Not yet.” His lips curl up, and he steps inside, scanning the suite as if he worries this is a set up. Satisfied we’re all alone, his gaze settles on mine, serious and full of heat. “Hey, Maria—or is it Valentina?”