Page 46 of Knot So Sweet

"I have a car. I could just drive myself," I suggested, crossing my arms to play it cool. But the way Ghost smirked, his cocky-as-fuck grin practically made my knees weak. Then that smile slipped, replaced with a smoldering heat that sent a jolt through me.

"Get on the bike, Candi."

My core throbbed.

"Or what? You’ll make me?" I shot back, arching an eyebrow.

"You’d like that, wouldn’t you? I know I would," he teased, mischief dancing in his eyes. It made me want to roll mine, but it also made my heart race a little faster.

The thought of him throwing me over his shoulder was tempting, but then I remembered he was injured.

"You're insufferable. I’ll just drive myself. You're injured. It could make it worse." I took a step back toward the door.

But my keys were upstairs in the loft. Which meant crossing through the bar where Sheriff Bradshaw was, and that definitely wasn’t a good idea.

Ghost kicked up the stand and revved the engine, the roar cutting through the tension. I barely had time to react as he zipped the bike next to me, a smirk plastered across his face.

"See? I’m perfectly capable," he said. "Now stop stalling and get your sexy ass on the back of my bike, princess."

I shot him a glare, my heart racing at how effortlessly he maneuvered the bike. "You’re insane."

"Maybe."

I glanced toward the bar, then back at him. He raised a brow in challenge.

"Fine, but if I die, I'll haunt your ass." I grabbed the helmet, my fingers brushing against his, sending a jolt of electricity up my arm.

He laughed, the sound rich and warm, and I couldn’t help but smile, despite myself.

With a resigned sigh, I climbed onto the bike behind him, my heart pounding as I wrapped my arms around his waist. The heat radiating from him was intoxicating, and I tried to focus on anything but the way my body responded to his presence.

"Hold on tight," he said, revving the engine again.

"Yeah, yeah," I muttered, but I couldn’t hide the thrill that raced through me as we took off.

What the hell did I just get myself into?

Chapter 20

VIper

Gears snarled, murmuring profanitiesunder his breath as his boots scuffed concrete floor of the Serpents’ bar. He had been pacing back and forth like a caged animal for the last half hour.

My gaze tracked his movements. His jaw was clenched so tight I half expected his teeth to shatter. Every muscle in his body screamed frustration, the tension rolling off him in waves thick enough to choke on. Much like the haze of smoke clinging to the air inside the clubhouse.

"That was a shit show of epic proportions," he barked.

I didn’t respond, just grunted in agreement, lips curling into a hard sneer as I threw back another shot of whiskey. The burn was a welcome distraction, scalding its way down my throat, settling deep in my gut.

How had everything gone sideways? Somehow the Hounds got to our shipment first and it went up in flames. I knew it was only a matter of time before they retaliated, but I hadn't thought they would get to our contact in Stonehill.

We needed those medical supplies. Those under club protection needed them, and we’d failed. Again. The weight of it settled in my gut like lead.

I had to tell Doc… I groaned in frustration. Doc was determined to make sure the rescued omegas didn't suffer anymore. I agreed with him. They'd been through enough shit already and soon the detox from Heat would begin.

According to Doc, the pain would be unbearable.

I was sick and tired of these strays, the vermin of Sterling, harming innocents. The Hounds delt in skin. They would soon replace the omegas they’d lost in the storage locker that had claimed at least a dozen other captives—I'd promised those who survived safety. I swore I would provide a way out of this nightmare, and now we’d lost the only opportunity to get them off Heat safely.

---