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)
I laugh. “You’re crazy. I’m not snaggin’ hotties at all,” I say, using finger quotes.
“Well, duh, but I’m also serious and absolutely right.” She points to Wilder, deep in conversation with Preacher and Dix, his gaze full of fire as he stares at me. “Yeah, that’s the look of a man who cares. And don’t deny that you care, too, because I see a lot.”
My heart speeds up at her words, but my brain rejects them on principle. “Hah! That look is only because of hot sex with no strings attached...”
“Keep lying to yourself, girl. I know what I see. And while you’re here, get to know these people and pitch in a little to make life easier for the men who are risking their lives to protect us. I know you’re too chicken-shit to admit that you love him, so do it because he’s hell-bent on protecting you, no matter what the cost.”
I turn to her with a frown. “What do you mean the cost?”
“He’s already been shot, Maven. At your house. What do you think this lockdown is all about? War, babe. It’s coming, and these guys are the only thing keeping us all safe from Iron Kings and their batshit craziness. Some of them will get hurt, and some might even die. For us. For this family you pretend you don’t belong to. But look around. No one is questioning whether you belong. Except you.”
I nod and realize she’s right. I’m a whiny, selfish bitch. Wilder and I are a question mark when it comes to the future, but for now, he’s been wonderful to me. Protective and caring, and the orgasms. Holy shit, the orgasms!
“All right, Gia. You win this round.”
She smiles and finishes off her drink. “I usually do.” She fist bumps me and points to Ace and the other men who slowly leave the clubhouse bar.
“The officers will go to Church, their sacred club meetings and leave the rest here to keep an eye on us while they figure out what comes next. They will plan and organize, and all we have to do is stay in here, stay safe and make their lives as stress-free as possible. It’s part of loving a biker.”
Loving a biker.
Hearing Gia say the words so plainly makes it all clear. Love is love. No matter who these women were before they fell in love, they are now a part of this big crazy biker family, which means I am, too, at least temporarily.
“Okay. I get it.”
“Good. Now I’m going to go wipe Lucky’s gorgeous face into the felt and make him cry like a baby.”
Gia sashays off toward the bar to get her drink refilled before she grabs a stick and challenges Lucky to a game of pool.
Letty stops in front of me with a worried look on her face. “You holding up all right?”
“I wasn’t, but I’m good now.”
Letty laughs. “It does take some getting used to, trust me.”
I nod. “Hey, look, I’m sorry about knocking you down. I was scared and feeling trapped.”
“Water under the bridge. I might have done the same if I were you. Well, I did sneak out against Shades’ wishes and almost got burned to death for my troubles, so I get it. You’re forgiven.”
“Just like that?”
Letty nods. “Just like that. We’re family now.”
“Yeah, I guess we are.”
“Excellent. Now let’s get drunk and pretend the world isn’t crashing down around us, yeah?”
I nod and manage a smile. “Best idea I’ve heard all day.”
Chapter Thirty
Wilder
Ace is already sitting at the head of the table when the rest of us show up for another impromptu Church session. It’s no surprise that we’re meeting tonight since we’re officially on lockdown, but that doesn’t stop that slightly uneasy feeling we always get when entering this room. But it’s Ace’s gravely serious expression that puts me on edge.
“Everything good, man?”
“No.” Typical Ace. One word, short and sharp, but nothing typical about the clenching jaws. “Everything is not fucking good, brother,” he snarls. “Not even a little bit.”
Shit. “All right. Whatever you need.” I take my designated seat and wait to hear the latest episode in the shitshow with the Iron Kings.
Ace’s dark gaze lands on Preacher. “I need Gia in here. Now.”
Preacher’s brows crease with concern. “Can I ask why?”
Ace nods, but Shades jumps in first. “This is a sacred room, brother. No women. No non-patched members.” His frown is angry, but Ace doesn’t appear bothered at all.
“Not that I owe you an explanation,” he says and cuts an angry glare in Shades’ direction before turning back to Preacher. “Gia found something, and I don’t want or need that information leaving this room.”
“Something?” It’s not the best time to question Ace, but Gia is under strict orders to bring anything she finds to me, and she hasn’t.
Ace nods. “Yeah, and it might help us figure out who killed Hector.” He sees the growing anger on my face. “She found it right after I called for lockdown, and I told her to keep it to herself until I said otherwise. Didn’t need any of you distracted while we prepped for lockdown.”