Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 92782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
I straightened in the booth and narrowed my eyes as I watched him fight back a smile. “You telling me she’s flirting with my men down there and they are letting her?”
Tex shook his head. “Fuck no. The guys know better. Well, all but one,” he said, then winced as if he’d not said it.
Her appointment had been a week ago, and it had taken me days after getting back here to get over the shit it had stirred in me. I hadn’t wanted to leave. Seeing her getting all fucking emotional when the baby came up on that screen had mirrored my own unexpected response. For that moment when we were in there, watching our unborn child, I had felt connected to her in a way I’d never experienced with a soul in my life.
She had given me one of the ultrasound photos to keep and then thanked me for going with her and paying for it. I was so damn confused with how I felt that I didn’t say much on the way back to the clubhouse. She went to show Nina and Goldie the pictures out at the pool, and I went to church. After that, most of us headed to Pepper’s bar for some drinks.
Then, I had left and driven back here.
But every time I looked at that ultrasound picture, I remembered how seeing the baby and hearing its heartbeat had felt. With her hand in mine and the way she’d sobbed and laughed at the same time, looking at the screen. It was hard to see that woman as the one Selena seemed to know.
“Who’s she flirting with?” I asked, feeling rage spark deep in my chest.
He shook his head. “She isn’t flirting. I didn’t say it was her. And he isn’t either. Not really. But the boy is sunk. He can’t take his eyes off her. From what I can see, she has no fucking clue.”
My jaw was clenched so tightly that my molars ached. “Who?” I demanded.
Tex held up his hands. “Easy, Prez. I didn’t come in here, meaning to stir up shit. No one has done a damn thing wrong. Liberty helps cook; she’s making these fried pies and some chocolate pie that has fucking caramel in it regularly. She’s got the back of the place looking like the damn botanical gardens, and everyone loves her.”
“WHO?” I shouted, hating every word that was coming out of his mouth.
He took in a deep breath and muttered a curse. “If you care this much, why did you drop her off at the club?”
So I wouldn’t fuck her every chance I got.
“Who?” I repeated.
He looked like he’d rather go eat a bucket of nails. “Country,” he muttered. “But he’s young. She’s gorgeous and about his age. He knows she is carrying your baby, but you don’t seem to give a shit about her. The guys talk about it. They can’t understand why you’d drop her off like that.”
I’d known that was who he was going to say. I stood up, taking my glass and drinking down the rest of it, then slammed it on the table.
“Come on, Prez. He’s not done shit,” Tex said. “And unless you gave your blessing, he won’t.”
I wasn’t giving my fucking blessing. I couldn’t even leave her at the goddamn Sanctuary with my people and know she was safe. My own men were lusting over her. Fuck!
“Where are you going?” Tex called out as I stalked toward the back door. “Don’t kill him for doing nothing!”
I wasn’t killing anyone. I was going to get what belonged to me. Guessed the only place I could be sure she was safe was my house. The idea of her being there didn’t seem to bother me so much anymore. She wouldn’t be around horny men. I’d stay here at the club. No temptation. We’d be fine.
Drifter was coming inside as I reached the door.
“Whoa,” he said, stepping out of my way. “Who pissed you off?”
That was a list I didn’t have time to give him.
I shook my head and stormed out the door. “I’ll be back tonight late.”
“All right,” he drawled.
Unlocking my car, I climbed inside. I was doing this to save Country’s ass. She’d only been there two weeks, and if he was this far gone already, then he’d do something stupid within a month. I knew her appeal. I just hadn’t realized she’d still have that pull on a man once she was pregnant. I’d underestimated her.
23
Liberty
Nina, Goldie, and Dolly had insisted that I join them at the pool today. They had explained that when Dolly was here during the summer, they liked to fit in at least one margarita day.
I was glad I’d decided to do this with them. The cool water felt amazing in this summer heat.
The only bathing suit I owned was a bright blue bikini that no longer held my boobs. Nina had given me one of hers, and although it might as well be a thong, it did cover my boobs better. Goldie had made the point that these men saw strippers and owned a porn production company. The bikini I had on was way more fabric than they were used to.