Road to Destiny (Scorpio Stinger MC Book 5) by Jani Kay Read Free Book Online Page A

from getting up too fast.
    She stood there with black panda bear blotches of ruined mascara, her lips quivering and raw fear in her eyes. I’d never seen her that distraught, and I’d seen my cousin in pretty bad shape before.
    “Ryder,” she croaked, her voice catching in her throat and her arms wrapped around her body as tears streamed down her cheeks.
    “Lexi,” I yelled, losing my shit when she just stood there like a fucking zombie. I lurched forward to grab her, shaking her by the shoulders. “Where is Ryder? What the fuck happened?”
    She doubled over and threw up all over her shoes, then collapsed onto the bed, sobbing as if somebody had died.
    Oh my fucking God.
    “Lexi. Jesus, talk to me. Did something happen to Ryder?”
    Lexi stared at me, her lips trembling violently and her whole face screwed up in pain. She opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out.
    The long, cold fingers of dread gripped my insides and squeezed until I was about to pass out. Something grave and ghastly must’ve happened and there I stood, powerless and terrified, my breath coming in short sharp pants as I tried to keep breathing while a million scenarios played through my mind, all of them involving Ryder and a lot of fucking blood.
    I should have listened to my instincts. I should have refused to come to the godforsaken damn club. The place was fucking cursed.
    “There’s been a shooting.”
    “Oh God, no! Ryder—”
    Lexi shook her head from side to side. Her eyes were wild. “No, not Ryder. Cobra, Mia, and the kids. Outside the gates. There’s blood everywhere, said Logan. I’m not sure if Mia and the kids are okay, but Cobra’s been shot in the head.”
    Relief flooded my insides that it wasn’t Ryder, yet my mouth went dry and my pulse quickened as horror filled me. How could this be happening? Didn’t we come here to be safer?
    Lexi’s eyes were wide and her body trembled. “But Ryder . . . he went outside to help them. I’m so scared. What if Ryder can’t stop the shooter?”
    My hand flew to my mouth. “What? Why would Ryder do such a crazy thing?” My knees went weak, and I flopped down onto the bed next to Lexi. Knowingly walking into danger was insane. “Oh God, what if he gets shot, too?” A mixture of fear and panic swept through me. “I’ve got to stop him.” I rubbed my stomach as a bitter taste rose to my mouth and I fought the urge to vomit. “I can’t deal with losing Ryder. The babies need him. Fuck, I need him.”
    As I moved to get up from the bed again, Lexi bolted upright and grabbed my wrist. “No, wait. Ryder said for me to keep you here. In the room. We’ve got to hide.” The fright in her voice and in her eyes was so overwhelming I wanted to throw up. But I had to push through. This wasn’t the time to be weak.
    I have to know if Ryder is safe.
    I jerked my arm away out of Lexi’s grip. “Like hell am I staying here and not knowing what’s happening.” Pushing my own fear aside, I reached for my phone and hastily scrolled through my contacts list. “I’m calling Harrison. He’ll know what to do and send his team to help us.”
    “Ryder told Hammer to call Harrison. I’m sure he’s already on his way.”
    “Well I’ll call too, just in case Hammer couldn’t get through.” The call went straight to voicemail. I grimaced as I scrolled again, looking for Savage’s number, and hit the green button. Within three rings, Savage’s deep voice came down the line. I nearly cried with relief.
    “Jade, are you okay? Harrison just spoke to a dude from the Scorpio Stingers. We’re worried about you.”
    “Savage, I’m not sure what’s happened, but I’m scared,” I choked out.
    “We’re on our way. Stay away from the windows. One of us will come and find you when it’s safe. You alone?”
    “No, I have Lexi here with me. Please hurry.” I couldn’t keep the panic from making my insides churn. My voice hitched. “Ryder is in danger, and I think Cobra got shot