Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78237 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78237 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
But as I lie in bed that night, I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to feel Wilder’s arms around me, holding me close as we sleep. It’s a silly, foolish thought, but one that brings a smile to my face, nonetheless. Maybe there’s still some hope for this old lady after all.
Chapter Twelve
Wilder
“We’re meeting out here?”
I frown at the scene before me, the round metal tables where all the brothers, their girlfriends and old ladies, even the club whores lounge around wearing smiles and tossing back drinks.
“It’s informal,” Stella calls out from the bar and shoves a tall shot glass and brown beer bottle toward me. “Ace’ll be out in a minute, sugar.” She winks suggestively, and I ignore that with a smile.
“Thanks, Stella.”
“Anytime, honey.” The sight of her cleavage makes me think of Maven and spending the day with her at her bakery.
The work is far more fucking exhausting than I thought it would be, or maybe I just object to getting up with the sun. Either way, I need a drink or three to unwind before Ace comes in to brief us on whatever shitshow comes next.
It must be serious because Gia is here snuggled up beside Preacher and Letty and Shades are near the window, whispering and smiling at each other like two fools in love.
Fools in love. So many of my brothers have fallen in love recently, and I love it for them, but damn more women to protect is a headache for the club. Not only that but couldn’t any of them have fallen for a shy woman, one who’s happy to sit back and let us call the shots?
Fuck, no.
These feisty-ass girls are determined to be as strong as the men, getting in the thick of things as the rest of us, their safety be damned. And with Maven, there’s another hardheaded woman in the mix.
Maven.
“All right, guys.” Ace stands halfway between the bar and the door that leads back to the offices and sleeper rooms, a wide smile on his face as he takes in the family gathered in the room. “This isn’t Church, so don’t get your panties in a bunch.”
“I’m not wearing any panties,” Shades calls out with a grin. “I’m happy to bunch Letty’s for you, though.” He whispers something in her ear, and her face turns an alarming shade of red that makes us all laugh.
“First, some good news. The Reckless Souls have another family member. Carmine Rocky Cooper arrived kicking and screaming just like her daddy.” Ace raises the glass Stella slides toward the end of the bar. “To Coop and Kelsey and baby Rocky!”
“To Rocky!” The loud booming cheer shakes the windows, and I relax a little. Maybe this isn’t a shitshow meeting. Maybe it’s just like a fucking live newsletter.
Good.
“Kenna is going to stay at Coop’s place to help her sister while we deal with our business.” His words are vague, but everyone who needs to know what the fuck is going on knows what he means.
“Aw, back to his old girlfriends, Righty and Lefty,” Dix jokes as he strolls to the bar for another drink. “Let’s all raise a glass to his impending carpal tunnel.”
Ace flips him off with a smile, taking another sip of his drink, but he has more to say. I can tell by the set of his shoulders, still slightly tense, his mind still whirling with activity.
“Now, raise your motherfucking glasses in the air once again for the Reckless Souls getting shit done. We got a shit ton of cash on hand, enough to keep everybody fat and happy, thanks to our business in Costa Rica.”
Dix stands and takes a bow. “You’re welcome. I’m accepting bike upgrades, cash, and blades. Buyer’s choice,” he grins and drops back down in his seat.
Preacher pounds his hands on the table, producing drumroll sounds. “Long live the Reckless Souls!”
His words sent up another round of cheers, whistles, and howls from all around the room. Everyone is having a good time, wearing broad smiles and feeling relaxed for the first time in months.
“And even though I didn’t ask anyone to do that shit,” Ace begins over the roar of the crowd, his dark eyes now narrowed to slits. “We can’t let another day pass without cheering on the fact that Hector fucking Santos is nothing more than a feast for the maggots!”
I stand and lift my half-empty beer bottle. “To the maggot feast!”
Shades pounds on his table and stands. “To one less crazy motherfucker on the planet.”
Nova stands. “To killing the beast and giving our women a moment of peace.” Of course, Nova thinks about Hector’s crimes, his sins against so many women, some of whom are in this room right now.
Dix leans back dramatically and kicks his feet up on the table. “To giving that piece of shit the permanent happy face he so richly deserved. Drink up, Souls!”