Wild Ride (Wind Dragons MC #4.5)(27)

“Carla,” I say, speaking very clearly, “are you sure he didn’t tell you anything else that could be important? Any details that can help us?”

She wraps her arms around herself, and in a very small voice says, “He just said that when Talon found out . . .”

“What?”

She looks me right in the eye. “Everything is going to fall.”



Later that night, after I’ve told Talon everything, we’re lying in bed together, not speaking, just enjoying the warmth of each other’s presence. I know Talon has a lot to consider, given what Carla said—what must he be feeling to know that one of his own Wild Men was so cowardly as to betray a brother? I can’t imagine.

“What are you thinking about?” he suddenly asks me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

I press myself against him and rest my head on his chest. I can’t believe how fast I’ve fallen for him, or how safe I feel when he’s holding me. “I was just thinking about you, actually—about how hard it must be to know that you can’t trust someone in your MC. I’m sorry you have to go through this.”

“It is hard. I’m f*ckin’ pissed about it, in fact. But it helps knowing that I have someone I can trust completely, without a shadow of a doubt.”

“Who’s that?” I ask, though I have a hunch about the answer.

“You, babe. I know I didn’t want you to get involved, and I never thought I’d say this—but thank you for doing it. You make it possible for me to face the next steps, because I know you’ll always be in my corner.” He presses his lips to my temple, and I feel the sting of tears welling in my eyes.

“That’s true, and I’m so glad you know it. Because I love you, Talon. Rhett loves you, and I love you, and even if it freaks you out to hear it, you know I can’t be anything but honest.”

“Damn right you can’t, and I’m sure it’ll get us both in more trouble than I care to imagine. But that’s why I love you, Tia. And no matter what comes, I promise that we are going to make this work—together.”

I close my eyes and smile. I know there’ll be bumps in the road, but Talon is mine and I’m his, and that’s all I need.

Talon

I pick up my glass, swirl the liquid in its depth, then put down the glass. What a turn of events, with Tia finding out what Carla knew, even though it wasn’t much. She impressed me, and I have a feeling I’m in for a wild ride with her. I can’t wait to just be with her, every day. My thoughts change from hopeful and happy to something a lot darker.

Zip had told me that he wanted to talk to me. I told him we’d talk the next day, but the next day never came. What if I had asked him what was wrong, right then and there? Would he still be alive?

Fuck.

Do I have a mole in my MC, right under my nose? Why? And who? The thought of any of my men being disloyal to the club . . . I need to find out who it is and eliminate the threat. Immediately.

The guilt rips through me, the what-ifs playing through my mind. I will find out who did this, and I will avenge Zip’s death; that’s the only way to make this right now. At least, it’s the only way I know how.

I pick up the phone and dial Vinnie’s number. Time to call in my marker.





ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS


Thank you, as always, to Abby Zidle and Gallery books!

To my agent, Kimberly Brower, I’m so lucky to have you! Thank you for everything you do, as always, I know I can always count on you, and I’m so grateful.

A big thank you to all my beta readers, the women who are always there for me on a daily basis.

Mallory Green, Kara Brown, Stephanie Knowles, Rachel Brookes, Rose Tawil, Eileen Robinson, and Melanie Williams—I don’t know what I’d do without you!

Arijana Karcic—thank you for all you do for me. You’re seriously the best and deserve the world.

Natalie Ram—You’ve turned my world upside down, and in the very best way. Thank you for being everything to me, from my proofreader to my swag master, but most importantly—my best friend. Vegas was one of the best times of my life and you were the biggest part of that. This Aquarius woman needs her Gemini in her life.

Thank you to my parents for helping out whenever I need more writing time. I appreciate everything you do for me, and to my three sons for being patient when they know their mama has to work. I love you all so much.

FMR Book Grind, thank you for everything; I appreciate all the hard work you all do for me!

Last but not least, a shout out to all the OG’s. You know who you are. May you forever inspire my hilarious and sexy characters.