Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 47579 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47579 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
“But I need to see….”
“Not going to happen. Head back to your car.” Wraith slid off his stool and stood to tower over the Sunday school or kindergarten teacher. As he expected, she spun and raced toward the parking lot. She had to be the same one who’d tried to come in last night.
Shaking his head, Wraith checked out the next person in line. His gaze met deep brown eyes that skittered away from his. Instantly, he was on alert. That reaction usually signaled a fake ID. He scanned her curvy body, guesstimating her weight and height to compare with the ID she presented.
“Eyes on me,” he barked.
This time, she looked at him directly. Her gorgeous appearance sent shockwaves straight to his dick. Those eyes dominated a heart-shaped face. And those red lips? He wondered what she’d taste like. Clamping down on his control, Wraith held his hand out.
Caroline Sweets, 32, address in the upper east side, height 5’7”, weight 194.
He was impressed. Not many states still required it—probably because most people lied, Wraith guessed. She’d told the license bureau her real weight. That almost never happened. Caroline matched her picture perfectly. This wasn’t a fake ID.
“Welcome, Caroline. Have fun,” he said as he handed back the small card. He turned to watch her walk past. Damn, that ass was biteable.
“Can I enter?”
A fake, high voice brought his attention back to the next person in line who fluttered her artificial lashes at him. “Betty. You’re always welcome. Have fun!” he greeted one of their regulars, who’d come in to flirt with his biker buddies.
Wraith scanned the room, checking the space for crowding. The Devil Daddies never allowed enough people in to fill the room to total capacity. A rough crowd packed in like sardines led to a lot of exploding tempers. Add alcohol and the place was a tinderbox.
His gaze skirted over Caroline. Standing in the shadows, she’d tucked herself into a corner, typing frantically on her phone as she tried to look everywhere at the same time. What was she up to? When her roving scan met his, Caroline shifted slightly to the left behind a couple standing by a table.
Instantly, his problem radar went into overdrive. Making a mental note to keep an eye on her, Wraith turned back to those in line. “Tom! You’re not allowed in for two more weeks. Get out of here.”
“Come on, Wraith. I’ll be super quiet. You won’t even know I’m inside,” Tom assured him. The bruises scattered over his face had reached the point of turning green from the ugly fight.
“Nope. Lucien decreed you’re banned until next month. I’m not going to tell him I’m countermanding his decision. I like my pretty face without bruises.”
“You’re not his pussy, are you?” the belligerent man asked and let out a yelp as a biker in a Devil Daddies cut yanked him backward out of the doorway.
“I’ll teach this one a lesson, Wraith,” Scythe called as he dragged the man from the entrance.
“Hey! Wait! I’ll leave,” Tom assured him. His voice faded as Scythe towed him away from the building.
Wraith looked back to the next man in line. He’d buy Scythe a drink the next time they were at the bar together. Wraith owed him one for handling that hothead. Tom obviously needed to be barred another month from Inferno.
Throughout the evening, Wraith spotted Caroline in various locations in the bar. Sticking to herself, she often cradled a glass of red wine in one hand and her phone in the other. She fascinated him for reasons he didn’t fully understand. Caroline’s beauty drew him, but her actions intrigued him. What was she doing here?
When he saw Hellcat heading her way, Wraith called Scythe to take over. Without asking a question, Scythe slid into place and started checking IDs.
Wraith merged into the crowd. He checked the spot where he’d last seen her, but it was empty. He walked toward the stairs leading up to the office space to look over everyone’s head. There she is! Wraith set off on a path to intercept her.
“What are you doing, Caroline?” he barked over the music.
When she jumped several inches from the ground in fright, Wraith almost felt bad. “How do you know my name?” she gasped after whirling to face him.
“ID, remember?”
“You can’t remember everyone’s name,” she protested.
“I can. Now, back to my question. Why are you slinking around? Are you casing people?”
“What? No!” Caroline seemed to realize she was attracting attention. She leaned closer to speak softer. “I’m not a criminal! I’m a… people watcher. I love to observe everyone in different situations.”
“A people watcher. So, a stalker,” Wraith suggested, backing her up until her body touched the wall. He braced one hand against the worn wood paneling, trapping her in place.
“I am not a stalker,” she hissed at him. “Oh, shit!”