SOULLESS (Black Thorns, #2) by Franca Storm Read Free Book Online Page A

just…confused me. I’m sorry.”
    “What do you want?” I demand, taking a seat on my bed.
    “I thought you and I could do business again. Partner up on an initiative of mine.”
    “What? I thought you were done? Retired?”
    He smirks. “I was recuperating, but now I’m back. And I’m ready.”
    Oh shit. “Ready for what?” I ask, dreading the answer.
    “To settle the blood debt.”
    “Skinner’s dead, Malcolm. It’s over now.”
    “That wasn’t my doing, Roxana! Ax took that from me when he killed him. He took the vengeance that I’d been waiting years on. Fortunately, I still have him .”
    Oh my God. “He didn’t have anything to do with what happened to your mom.”
    “He’s his son ! It’s good enough. Blood for blood. And while I’m at it, I’ll put an end to that club of his. Yet another one I can cross off my list. More trash off the streets.”
    “This is insane.”
    “I’d anticipated your help with this, Roxana. A few years back, you’d have been on board with what I’m doing here. Your distaste for bikers rivalled mine.”
    “I would never be on board for a massacre!”
    “I never intended to allow you to make the kills. I just simply wished to enlist your help to ascertain an in to the club, a way past their security. I’d prefer to carry out this massacre , as you so eloquently put it, covertly. The last thing I need is to draw attention to myself, especially from the law. A huge obvious assault on their compound would result in just that.” He takes a step towards me. “But you know that club. It was your father’s at one point, after all.”
    “I won’t help you.”
    “You don’t wish to—not now. I see that. Because of him .” He grabs hold of my jaw, squeezing hard. “But you will. Now I know how close you are with Ax, himself, you are even more of an invaluable asset than I’d first believed.”
    I pull out of his grip. “No.” I point to the door. “Now, leave.”
    He doesn’t make any move, so I dodge past him and hurry out of the room myself.
    I hear his footsteps behind me. He calls out, “I came here in person rather than sending my associates, Roxana. Do not make me do something that I don’t wish to.”
    I turn around quickly, dropping my bag in my haste, to see him standing just outside my bedroom door, eyeing me. What he really means is he came here instead of sending his muscle to rough me up to get what he wants. And now he’s threatening me. My eyes narrow. “You try anything and I will take you down.”
    He chuckles. “Please. You are not the woman you once were. It’s obvious to me just from being in your presence for a few minutes. You’ve changed. You’re softer now.”
    “You’re wrong.”
    “Am I? Not long ago, if I’d grabbed you like I did a moment ago, you would’ve had a lot more to say about it—through violent means.”
    Shit.
    He shifts his weight and brushes back the right side of his suit jacket. My eyes go straight to the Glock strapped to a holster there. “I’d urge you to reconsider giving me your assistance willingly , Roxana.”
    As I shake my head, telling him no , his eyes dart behind me and he pulls the gun.
    “Get the fuck away from her,” someone snarls.
    Neil.
    Malcolm smirks. “This is a private conversation. Neither you, nor you , Cal, are welcome to join.”
    Cal? My dad’s here as well? Wow, the two of them moved in here like ghosts. I didn’t hear a thing.
    A hand wraps around my wrist suddenly and I cry out in surprise as I’m jerked backwards. The next thing I know, I’m being pushed behind Neil and my dad. It’s Neil holding my wrist. He doesn’t let go either. He holds me tightly behind him to make sure I stay back behind the wall of muscle and leather being formed by him and my dad.
    And it isn’t just muscle they’re facing off with.
    Neil has his Desert Eagle out, aimed at Malcolm’s head.
    My dad has his Beretta aimed at his heart.
    Shit.
    “I’ve heard the whispered rumors,