Page 21 of Savage Temptation
I wince. “All part of the life experience of running from a murdering mob boss slash lunatic. I just finished a show at the theater and didn’t even have a chance to grab a pair of shoes before…” I let my words fall away. It’s not been my finest night.
Jagger’s reassuring arm comes up and wraps around my waist. He pulls me back, cocooning me in his warmth. “You’re beautiful. Stunning. I wouldn’t have you any other way.”
His kiss proves his point.
I’ve been so wrapped up and encircled by my family I don’t realize another man is pushing through the crowd until he’s standing beside Reaper. He’s also wearing a cut. While the Savage Reign crew emblem is a skull and fanged viper, that man’s cut features a skull with its mouth hinged open and fire engulfing it. That means he’s from a different crew of bikers but has to be friends with Reaper to be here. Meaning, I’m safe.
And that is when it hits me.
“He looked just like you.”
A pair of gray eyes move to meet mine. “Excuse me?”
“I’m sorry. Where are my manners? I’m Emilia. I’m sorry I didn't see you in the room. You don’t know me, but I think I met your doppelgänger tonight.” I quickly go into telling them all about the Russian who was meeting with Oliver and the other guy who was wearing another cut with yet another different biker emblem. I was so focused on Oliver I glazed over everything else.
I quickly correct my error causing another round of scowls on the men’s faces.
The man puts a hand to his chest. “Ares,malyska. Andnyet. I think you must have met my brother. You are lucky to be alive. He’s not known for his kindness toward anyone he can’t control.”
Ares stands with his arms crossed over a broad chest. White cotton defines all the hard muscles he sports beneath all that material and a leather cut. Like the rest of the men in the room, he has on biker boots and jeans.
My brows shoot up and I’ll be honest my knees give a little, making me sway. Jagger’s hold on me keeps me from stumbling.
“Then I’m lucky indeed because I was less than five feet from him. But I think he was occupied with the biker and Oliver. He didn’t care about a burlesque singer.”
Ares considers me before he turns to Reaper. “My brother, this is no surprise. But I didn’t think he would show his face so soon.”
“And why am I not surprised the Vultures are in on this.”
That’s Reaper.
“Vultures?” I ask anyone with the answer.
“Yeah. A rival crew who tried to strong arm me into letting them use my bookstore like they are using flower shops.” The disgust on Arabelle’s face makes my heart hurt for her. “They are filthy animals and scum of the earth who will do anything to gain power. Their goal is to take out the Savages.”
“And now we know who is backing the Vultures and Oliver. My brother has been busy.”
That’s Ares. He looks to Reaper who looks to each of his brothers. I’m getting a strong sense that something bad is brewing.
“It seems your brother got his hooks into willing men. Oliver has senators, congressmen, police and feds and everyone in between in his pocket or under his thumb. The Vultures bring the firepower, I assume.”
Jagger nods, looking tired and pissed at the same time. “Yes, and that makes me anxious.”
Ares and Reaper step away from the group and I turn my attention to Jagger when his phone rings.
Jagger pulls it out and immediately goes on high alert. He’s silent a minute, taking in information, no doubt.
“Copy that, Bourbon. You got him? Good.”
I hit him with a puzzled look which has Jagger holding up a finger for me to give him a second.
“I’m on my way. Hold the delivery boy there until I get there.” Jagger hangs up and Reaper comes over with all the crew in tow.
I rake my gaze over him. “Hold who?” I ask. “What are you up to and where are you going?”
Jagger’s chest expands when he takes a deep breath. “I sent Bourbon a text for him to track down the flower boy after I made the call for your sister. You hinted at trouble with flowers. I remembered a boy in the pool of people the police were questioning back at the club this evening. Flower boys at the lounge are a little odd, but I was more focused on the three bodies. Now I know how they overdosed.”
Chills scale my entire body. Hair raises on the back of my neck. “You’re right. That’s a helluva detail to recall. So do you think he can help you find Oliver before he finds me? We can take the fight to him first. Yeah, I can get behind that if this guy has the intel. We can call the detective and get everyone involved.” I pull the card from my top. I don’t have a single day of target practice under my belt, but I refuse to sit back and be some weak damsel.
