Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 90721 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90721 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
The lights flashed as the doors unlocked, and I climbed painfully into the truck, thankful that there was a step that came down when the doors opened and a handle for me to hold on to.
“I’m sorry! I should’ve helped you. Do you need me to help with the seatbelt?” She asked in concern.
“No, I got it. Thank you.” I said.
The ride to Sebastian’s house was quick and silent, Shiloh sensing that I was not in the mood for chitchat
I thanked her quietly as I slid from the truck, only jarring myself slightly when my feet met the uneven ground beneath me.
Just as I was about to close the door, Shiloh stopped me with a statement. “He’s a good man, don’t give up on him.”
I slammed the door a little harder than I’d meant to, annoyed that I’d been so transparent.
Sebastian would know shortly that I was mad at him, but I didn’t care. I was beyond caring at this point.
Shiloh left once the lights of my car flipped on, pulling out of the driveway in a spray of gravel and dirt.
Starting my car and rolling down my windows to feel the cool night air on my face, I pulled out of my parking spot, thankful that I’d gotten out without Sebastian stopping me.
It wasn’t until I was back on the interstate that it dawned on me that he might follow me home.
Knowing that I couldn’t handle seeing him right now, I turned around and headed back to Shreveport. I’d stay in a hotel for the night. Hell, maybe I’d even gamble my last twenty dollars on the craps table.
‘Cause that was where my life was right now. In the crapper.
Chapter 16
It’s better to lose a lover than to love a loser, asshole, bastard, lying, son of a cock whore.
-Life lesson
Sebastian
“What do you mean she’s not here? How’d she leave? Where’d she go?” I snarled at my men. The men that I’d assigned to watch her tonight, and help her anyway she needed it.
Stupid fucking prospects.
“Sir, she was with your sister. We didn’t think you’d want us to interfere.” Tunnel, the newest prospect, hedged.
“Well you thought fucking wrong. Where exactly is my sister?” I snarled.
The two men pointed in the direction of the bar, and I turned and stomped away without another word to the two useless human beings.
“Where is she?” I asked as soon as I made it to within hearing distance.
I was tired, aggravated, and needy. I wanted my woman in my arms, and I wanted her there now.
Shiloh turned from the conversation she was having with their father and scowled at me. “Not that it’s any of your business, brother, but you fucking gutted her today. Why the hell didn’t she know you had an office? And why the hell did you not tell me that she didn’t know? I would’ve never brought her back there if I had known. You made me look like a shit. Why’d you have Mandy in your lap, anyway? That was just fucking stupid.”
I was confused. “What are you talking about?”
“You know, Mandy, the one that did your tape for your hands? Yeah, when Baylee saw that, her eyes told everyone that was looking at her how devastated she was. Why are you even talking to me?” She snarled.
“Jesus Christ, Shiloh! It was the Warehouse’s trainer! What did you want me to do? I don’t know how to do tape!” I snarled right back.
“Yeah, well she didn’t have to sit on your fucking lap!” She screeched.
I threw my hands up in annoyance. She wasn’t sitting on my lap...was she?
James, who’d been sitting quietly beside Shiloh, watching the family drama play out, turned and held up his hand for silence. “How about we go take a walk.” He suggested.
Knowing I wouldn’t get anywhere with the craziness that is my sister, I agreed and walked with James down to my office.
The office felt very empty all of a sudden, like something important was missing and I knew exactly what it was. Baylee.
“I’m not going to tell you how to run your life, but I think you need to make a decision about letting Baylee in, or letting her go. You have two parts of yourself that you try to keep separate, and it’s not going to work for much longer. If you let her in to only half of your life, you’re going to lose her.” James said right before walking out.
I walked to my desk and sat down heavily.
My sweaty back stuck uncomfortably against the leather of my office chair, and I stared at my wall, wondering what the hell to do.
I wouldn’t be telling her anything about the club without a few promises from her end first. My life was with my club, and it always would be. To let her in that part of my life, she’d have to be a permanent fixture. She’d have to want to be there, and to this day, she hadn’t made the effort.
The more I sat here and thought about it, the more upset I became. Did she not want to know that part of my life? Hell, he’d share with her in a heartbeat; but club life wasn’t for everyone.
With her father and brother being in law enforcement, she had a better idea than most civilians did when it came to what a motorcycle club was. She had to know they weren’t all angels.
Then I noticed my hat was gone.
Knowing what I had to do, I picked up my phone and made a call that could very well change my life.
***
I ran my fingers over the fine stitching, looked up at Porter’s old lady and smiled. “You did good, pretty girl. It’s stunning. I really appreciate you staying up this late and getting it done for me.” I thanked her.
Minnie blushed at the compliment before wrapping the work she’d done in tissue paper, and then placing it into a box. Her fingers worked nimbly as she tied a bow on it, and then used her scissors to do some fancy shit with the bow, making it twirl around and in on itself.