Read Online Ink & Bone (New York Crime Kings Book 5) by Skyla Madi - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Skyla Madi
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saw him.
I press my back against the concrete wall and move swiftly to the edge. I peer around the corner, and twenty yards ahead is Skull’s pool. The workers that were there repairing the tiles earlier are nowhere to be seen. They’re probably on lunch.
I take my chances and step out from behind the wall, then pause.
Silence.
Nothing but the rapid thrum of my heart.
I push my hobble into a walk, my walk into a jog, my jog into a sprint. I run without care, without caution, desperate to get as far away from Skull as I possibly can.
BANG!
I scream and duck as a bullet whips by my head. My skin buzzes as the atmosphere crackles with danger and hostility. Panting, I dive behind a broken stone and pull my knees into my chest.
“Get Skull! Now!”
Oh, fuck no. I scramble out from behind the stone and run like my life depends on it. I guess it does.
Another bang, another bullet. I duck and dodge, but I don’t stop.
“Don’t shoot her, you fucking idiot!” an unknown curses.
I run alongside the pool.
BANG!
I hear the sound of the bullet passing through flesh before I feel the pain of it. I scream, and my leg seizes up, making me lose my balance. I stumble, trying to clench my thigh, and trip over a loose tile. My heart sinks the second I’m weightless, and it remains sunk, throbbing in the bullet hole in my thigh as I crash into the recently filled pool.
I hold my breath and purse my lips as I kick my legs. Clenching my jaw, I stop. Bubbles escape my lips with a sob. I can’t kick my legs. It hurts too much.
Already, I find myself running out of oxygen. Normally, I’d boast about my epic breath holding times, but my lungs are still too jaded to try.
No one jumps in after me…
Is this my end? Is this how I’m supposed to die? Drowning like a meaningless penny at the bottom of a pool? It’s better than being another rape and murder statistic in Skull’s file, I suppose. In the blissful silence of the water, I can finally gather my thoughts. My lackluster life turned out pretty damn exciting, you know. I think of Jai and, despite myself, despite my predicament, I actually smile.
Seven
Jai
Time
*Days later*
If I have to sit through one more party I will slaughter everyone in this damn house. How many more days are going to pass by before Joker helps me like he promised?
I lift my sixth bottle of beer to my lips and tip it down the hatch, finishing the last mouthful. Joker claims there are more important matters for the club to deal with before they attack Skull.
Bullshit. I don’t give a shit about the club or their problems. I’m here to help myself.
“Hey, handsome.”
I turn my head as a leggy blonde settles on my left, resting a petite elbow on my table. I glance at her Ferrari red nail polish and the gold bracelet on her wrist. Already I know she isn’t my type.
“Need company?”
“No, thanks.” I don’t look at her face…or at least I don’t until she chuckles at me. “Are you always the life of the party?”
Sarcasm. I simper. Cute. “Apparently so.”
She smiles, exposing her perfect, white teeth. Swiping her long, blonde hair over her shoulder, she extends her hand. “I’m Holly.”
She’s nice enough, I suppose. Exhaling, I put my hand in hers. “Jai.”
“Ah, the new recruit.” Holly’s leather vest squeaks as she leans forward. “Word going around is…you’re not playing nice with your new brothers and sisters.”
Brothers and sisters? Nah. These assholes aren’t family. They haven’t earned it. I pluck the metal cap of my beer between my thumb and index finger. “Is that so?”
“Mm.” She grins. “Me? I don’t mind it so much. I like a mean boy.”
I laugh. She’s wasting her time hitting on me. Sure, she’s pretty with her large green eyes, sassy smile, and killer rack, but she is barking up the wrong tree.
“I prefer brunettes,” I tell her, flicking the cap off the table.
She shrugs.
I press my back against the concrete wall and move swiftly to the edge. I peer around the corner, and twenty yards ahead is Skull’s pool. The workers that were there repairing the tiles earlier are nowhere to be seen. They’re probably on lunch.
I take my chances and step out from behind the wall, then pause.
Silence.
Nothing but the rapid thrum of my heart.
I push my hobble into a walk, my walk into a jog, my jog into a sprint. I run without care, without caution, desperate to get as far away from Skull as I possibly can.
BANG!
I scream and duck as a bullet whips by my head. My skin buzzes as the atmosphere crackles with danger and hostility. Panting, I dive behind a broken stone and pull my knees into my chest.
“Get Skull! Now!”
Oh, fuck no. I scramble out from behind the stone and run like my life depends on it. I guess it does.
Another bang, another bullet. I duck and dodge, but I don’t stop.
“Don’t shoot her, you fucking idiot!” an unknown curses.
I run alongside the pool.
BANG!
I hear the sound of the bullet passing through flesh before I feel the pain of it. I scream, and my leg seizes up, making me lose my balance. I stumble, trying to clench my thigh, and trip over a loose tile. My heart sinks the second I’m weightless, and it remains sunk, throbbing in the bullet hole in my thigh as I crash into the recently filled pool.
I hold my breath and purse my lips as I kick my legs. Clenching my jaw, I stop. Bubbles escape my lips with a sob. I can’t kick my legs. It hurts too much.
Already, I find myself running out of oxygen. Normally, I’d boast about my epic breath holding times, but my lungs are still too jaded to try.
No one jumps in after me…
Is this my end? Is this how I’m supposed to die? Drowning like a meaningless penny at the bottom of a pool? It’s better than being another rape and murder statistic in Skull’s file, I suppose. In the blissful silence of the water, I can finally gather my thoughts. My lackluster life turned out pretty damn exciting, you know. I think of Jai and, despite myself, despite my predicament, I actually smile.
Seven
Jai
Time
*Days later*
If I have to sit through one more party I will slaughter everyone in this damn house. How many more days are going to pass by before Joker helps me like he promised?
I lift my sixth bottle of beer to my lips and tip it down the hatch, finishing the last mouthful. Joker claims there are more important matters for the club to deal with before they attack Skull.
Bullshit. I don’t give a shit about the club or their problems. I’m here to help myself.
“Hey, handsome.”
I turn my head as a leggy blonde settles on my left, resting a petite elbow on my table. I glance at her Ferrari red nail polish and the gold bracelet on her wrist. Already I know she isn’t my type.
“Need company?”
“No, thanks.” I don’t look at her face…or at least I don’t until she chuckles at me. “Are you always the life of the party?”
Sarcasm. I simper. Cute. “Apparently so.”
She smiles, exposing her perfect, white teeth. Swiping her long, blonde hair over her shoulder, she extends her hand. “I’m Holly.”
She’s nice enough, I suppose. Exhaling, I put my hand in hers. “Jai.”
“Ah, the new recruit.” Holly’s leather vest squeaks as she leans forward. “Word going around is…you’re not playing nice with your new brothers and sisters.”
Brothers and sisters? Nah. These assholes aren’t family. They haven’t earned it. I pluck the metal cap of my beer between my thumb and index finger. “Is that so?”
“Mm.” She grins. “Me? I don’t mind it so much. I like a mean boy.”
I laugh. She’s wasting her time hitting on me. Sure, she’s pretty with her large green eyes, sassy smile, and killer rack, but she is barking up the wrong tree.
“I prefer brunettes,” I tell her, flicking the cap off the table.
She shrugs.
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