Free Man of Honor (Passion in Paradise Book 4) by Sarah O'Rourke Page A

not around to remember jack
shit.”
    “Christ on a
cracker,” Wrath cursed, his hand fisting at his side.  “Zeke, you realize that
if they’ve put her back in their sights, they’re gonna be some desperate
assholes.”
    “I know,” Zeke
acknowledged softly.  Offering the other man a sidelong look, he continued.  “I
haven’t forgotten what you did for Honor, McKay.  I know you helped me put down
one of those animals, Wrath.  For that, I still owe you a marker.”
    “No marker,” Wrath
denied flatly.  “That bastard was one of my prospects.  Turns my stomach that I
had that kind of filth anywhere near my club, Zeke.   I know it’s been eight
years since it happened, but that kind of stain leaves a lasting mark.  The
fact that Honor doesn’t hate every fucker that wears the Hounds vest is a
miracle.  Taking that bastard down with you was a pleasure that I would have
paid you to do, Zeke.”
    “’Preciate that,
McKay, but what I gotta know is if I needed it…”
    Wrath held up a
hand.  “You need me to help find these last couple of fuckers, I’m down,
Sheriff.  So is my club.   And not just for your woman either.  I got a kid
that I didn’t have eight years ago.  The idea of that kind of child-raping scum
still hangin’ around in our town doesn’t sit well with me or the club.”
    Zeke nodded, glad
to know he’d have the Hell Hounds as allies if it came down to it.  He hoped it
didn’t.  He prayed he could take care of these pricks himself, but he couldn’t
deny that if getting help could make the job go faster, he’d gladly enlist assistance. 
“Thanks,” he said softly, his attention suddenly drawn to the bed when he heard
Honor’s low moan of pain.
    “Seems like she’s
startin’ to wake up,” Wrath noted softly.  “Listen, Zeke, just have your
department release the car back over to the garage in the next couple of days. 
As soon as I get it, I’ll do a full diagnostic and get you the answers that
you’re searchin’ for.”
    Leaning over to
soothe Honor’s furrowed brow with the tips of his fingers, Zeke nodded without
looking at the other man.  “Just you, McKay.  I want this investigation into
what happened tonight kept tight.  Only those that need to know get in the
loop.  Got me?”
    “Yep.” The
dark-headed man nodded.  “I’ll keep things quiet on my end.  I’ll tell the boys
at the garage we’re just holding the car for the junkyard until Honor’s
insurance pays out.  Nobody will think anything about it.”
    “Good.  I’ve got
the state boys looking at the car first so the evidence is preserved, then I’ll
get the department to release her vehicle in the next 48 hours,” Zeke muttered,
his eyes staying glued to Honor’s face.  Her eyes remained closed, but her
breathing had grown shallower and her forehead was creased, almost as if she
was trying to force herself to speak.  He wasn’t anything approaching an
expert, but it looked to him like she was definitely starting to come out from
under the anesthesia.
    “If you get a free
moment, maybe keep the clubhouse posted on her,” Wrath suggested hopefully. 
“She may be yours, man.  You’ve made that clear, but she’s loved by a lot of
people.  Keep us updated, yeah?”
    Jaw clenching,
Zeke fought an automatic denial.  But Wrath was offering his assistance…
assistance that Zeke couldn’t easily ask of anybody else.  “I’ll make sure to
give a call.”
    Wrath chuckled. 
“That must have hurt like hell to say,” he goaded.
    “Get out before I
find a reason to arrest you, McKay,” Zeke warned on a low growl.
    “Take care of her,
Zeke,” Wrath ordered seriously, stepping forward to thump the sheriff on the
arm before turning to leave.
    Zeke listened as
the other man’s footsteps echoed down the hallway, only fully relaxing once the
sound faded.  He felt like he’d made a deal with the Devil.  While he knew
Wrath McKay wasn’t exactly Satan incarnate, he could