Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 72156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
Preacher wanted to say more, but instead, he left the apartment. There was nothing more that could be said. All the words that needed to be spoken had been. They were done now. Whatever debt or guilt he owed to Bishop was done. His men were more than willing to allow him to live, especially after he had helped them. It was all they were willing to do. Bishop would have a complete ban from all of the club activities and from ever being part of it.
His son was dead to him as far as the club went. Preacher knew on a personal level, he had a great hatred for his son. The two years Robin was taken from him, he was never ever going to get them back. He could hold a grudge for as long as he needed to, no questions asked. When it came to Bishop, he had no lost feelings, no upset, just an understanding that his son meant nothing to him.
After leaving his apartment, he made his way toward the town’s library. Robin was determined to work and study there. It was the perfect place for her to keep an eye on Bethany as well. When he entered, several kids were leaving and they all gave him a wide berth.
All the rumors of what a monster he was still circulated, and he had no interest in changing anyone’s mind.
He found Anne working at the counter. She held Bethany on her hip and the moment his girl saw him, she started to wave her hands excitedly. It was moments like this that he couldn’t do anything wrong to this child. She was a complete innocent in all of this, and he would love her as his own.
“Here you go, I think she wants you,” Anne said. Bethany was holding out her arms toward him, and he took her.
“Where’s my other girl?”
“She’s studying. I know she wants to graduate now before the baby comes and I think it’s important to her, so I’ve forced her to take some rest and given her space.”
“I’ll pay you for all the time she’s taken here.”
“You don’t need to do that.”
“I want to.”
“Have you heard from Bear lately?”
“Yeah, he’s around. Why?”
“No reason.”
He raised a brow.
“Don’t look at me like that. There is a reason, but it’s private.”
“I’ll let him know you’re looking for him.”
“Thank you. I need him to talk to me.”
“You worry way too much.”
“I worry enough.” She ran fingers through her hair. “Do you want me to take her?”
“Nah, I’ve got her.” He walked in the direction where Anne pointed and he found Robin, asleep on top of a table filled with books. She worried way too much and it was showing now.
With their girl on his hip, he pulled the chair out closest to her, and as he sat down, she woke up.
“Oh, no, is it late? Where am I? What am I doing?” Robin asked.
“It’s a little after twelve. You’re at the library. You were sleeping and I imagine before that you were studying.”
She groaned. “I only closed my eyes for a minute.”
“Why is it so important for you to graduate before our baby comes?” he asked.
“I don’t know. It just is. I think … I’m scared. I’m not going to have time to study when the baby comes. I remember what it was like with Bethany.” She reached out, stroking their girl’s cheek. She was already curling up in Preacher’s arms getting ready to go to sleep.
“You’re doing too much and when you do, it tires you out.”
“I know. I know.”
“Do I have to bribe Randall to put you on bed rest?”
“You shouldn’t be able to bribe anyone,” she said.
“This is me you’re talking to.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know. I just, I want this, you know. I feel like I’m finally getting my life back and if I can do this, then I’m not failing? It probably makes no sense.”
“It makes a lot of sense. More sense than you even realize.”
She blew out a breath as her stomach started to growl. “What do I owe the social call to?”
“I talked to Bishop. A decision has been made.” He watched her tense.
“It has? That was fast.”
He laughed. “You think that’s fast?”
“You know what I mean.”
“He’s going to be free.”
“Free?”
“Yeah. The guys took into account his help during the … well, Reaper, and he can never join the club or have any association. On that score, he’s well and truly finished.”
“Wow. This is certainly a morning to remember. I mean, did you do this?”
“Robin, I want to be clear on something.” He reached for her hand, the one carrying his engagement ring. “I’m not a good man. I will never claim to be anything of the sort. I won’t even sit here and pretend I in some way stopped the boys from making the right decision. It’s not who I am, and it never will be.”