Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39161 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39161 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
“You didn’t seem to… You pushed me away and…”
“Christ, honey,” He sat on the cot, his back to the wall, urging me to straddle his hips. He still held me close, like he didn’t want to let me go.
“I know you were trying to protect me, looking for more of those fuckers, but it still felt like a rejection, so it’s not you. It’s me.”
“Baby, your feelings matter. Especially after what you just went through.”
“Jax, my whole life has been about my feelings. Mom tried so hard to make sure I had everything I wanted, especially when I was sick. Then she met Wrath and we got Grandmama and Pop Pops and everyone doted on me. I’m not too proud to admit I was a spoiled brat. This whole trip has been about what I wanted. I was so busy trying to prove to myself I could do anything I wanted, I never stopped to consider how everyone I loved would feel if something happened to me. My bruised feelings are my own problem. You did exactly what you had to do, and I’ll never be able to thank you enough.” I was babbling now, but once I started, I wasn’t able to stop. “I feel so selfish, Jax! I’m so fuckin’ sorry!” And there went the tears and snot.
Jax held me tight. I thought he whispered softly to me, trying to take as much of my pain as I’d give him, but I wasn’t sure. It didn’t really matter. His voice was comforting, like it had been all my life. He let me get everything out, never hurrying me or telling me I had to get myself under control. Like always, Jax was incredibly patient with me.
When all I had left in me was a few hiccups and sniffles, Jax brushed my hair away from my face and urged me to look up at him. “This is what we need to talk about, baby.” He gave me a smile before leaning in to give me a gentle kiss. He brushed my cheek, then my lip before kissing me once more. “I am angry with you. I’m angry with you for not trusting me enough to tell me why you had to go. I’d have come with you if you’d told me the second you knew you were going. I’d have found a way home sooner. Even not knowing, I was on my way home to go with you, baby. But, more than anything, I’m angry with myself for not making you understand you could always count on me to have your back. No matter what.”
“Do you promise?”
“On my life, Holly Sweetness. On my fuckin’ life.”
Chapter Seven
Jax
Mechanic landed the big Osprey in the courtyard of the Black Reign MC compound. We were met by every patched member and old lady who were in the compound. Wrath and Fury were the first two on the aircraft.
“What the fuck happened, Jax?” My dad, Fury, wasn’t angry, just genuinely curious. “You and Holly good?”
“We’re not hurt, sir.”
My dad gave me an impatient look. “You don’t have to be so formal with me.”
“No, sir. But If I practice with you, maybe I won’t forget my manners with Wrath.” I tried to keep the grin from my face but failed miserably.
“Good plan, pup.” Wrath huffed out an irritated grunt but slapped me on the shoulder good-naturedly. “Being your father-in-law is gonna be so much fun. Especially since I’m gonna insist you call me sir. All the fuckin’ time.” The big bastard grinned but looked like he was only half joking. “Now, where’s my daughter?”
I jerked my head toward the shut door. “We had some… developments.”
“Yeah.” Fury looked past us where the other women and Alistair were. The women had beat the shit outta the man for the better part of an hour. He was somewhat the worse for wear but I doubt he’d be complaining about how he got beat up by a bunch of women for a variety of infractions, not the least of which looked like trafficking. He wasn’t the kind of man to appreciate a strong woman, or any woman at all really. Especially if she fought back. “Heard you rolled up on an attack. How many killed?”
I shrugged. “Not exactly sure. Some of the women didn’t even realize they were all together. I’m tellin’ you, this kid did a real good number on all of them.”
“Holly too?” Wrath was all business now.
“Yes, but not in the same way. And it wasn’t Alistair who played her. It was Andrea.”
Wrath’s gaze narrowed and he let his gaze track to the other women in the back. I saw the moment his gaze locked on Andrea. It was a predator’s stare, the kind you saw right before he nabbed his prey. “I’ll be right back.”
I snagged the other man’s arm and stepped in front of him. “Not now, Wrath. Talk to Holly first. Reassure her you’re not angry with her. Coddle her for a while, then we’ll deal with this. Andrea and Alistair aren’t going anywhere.”