Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Liv clung to me, sitting sideways on my lap. Her slender arms were around my neck, her face against my chest.
She was silent, the kind of silence that spoke volumes, her breathing uneven at times as we rolled onto safe ground. Every now and then, her grip on me tightened like she was reminding herself I was real, that she wasn’t alone. It did something fierce to my heart, knowing how much she relied on me.
When we finally pulled in front of our little house inside the family area of our compound, the sense of relief was palpable.
There were several of the guys waiting outside for us. Bullet approached first, his sharp-eyed gaze scanning Olivia before he looked up at me. “You guys need anything?”
“I think we’re good,” I said, exiting the vehicle with Liv in my arms. “Maybe have a prospect bring some stuff for sandwiches and some drinks.”
Apple darted from inside the house and ran straight to us. “Is she all right? What’d you do to her, Bear?” Her face looked as fierce as Lemon always did. Like she was ready to take a motherfucker down. In this case, the motherfucker in question was me.
“She’s fine,” I said, fighting the grin tugging at my lips. “Been a rough day for her. She’s gonna need you, Apple. Once I get her settled and she’s had time to rest.”
“You say the word and I’m there. I’ll stay with her now if she needs me.”
Liv shifted then, turning to look at Apple. “Thank you, Apple. For everything.”
“I didn’t do anything, honey.”
“You helped me get into Grim Road. I’m sorry I used it as a way to get inside to spy, but you brought me to Bear.”
Apple waved off my comment. “These guys are more than capable of taking care of themselves and you clearly needed help. Maybe not like I’d first thought, but close enough.”
“You didn’t even know me that well, Apple. You went out on a limb to help a stranger. I’ll always be grateful for that.”
“Just take care of Bear there. He’s got it pretty hard around here. None of the club girls want him. I damn sure don’t want him.” She tapped a finger on her lips as if contemplating her next words. “You know, he’s not nearly good enough for you. Maybe I better look for someone else for you.”
I growled at Apple, who grinned up at me with a superior smirk on her lips. Thankfully, Olivia gave a little chuckle.
“Nah. Think I’ll keep him. He’s already semi-housebroken. I’d hate to waste all that time and effort.”
“Brat,” I grumbled, but kissed her lips gently. “But you’re my brat.”
Apple gave a crisp nod. “Good. I’ll spread the word you’re taken, Bear.” She grinned at Olivia. “You have my number. You need anything, call me. It’s what best friends are for.”
Olivia blinked down at Apple. “Best friends? I-I’ve never had a best friend before.”
“Good. That way there’s no expectations, I can protect you as much as I see fit, and Bear here can have me bust his balls when he needs it and you can’t get mad ‘cause you think I’m being overprotective. ‘Cause that’s what best friends do.” Apple shrugged. “At least, according to Lemon. I never have in the past, but I’m thinking about taking it up.”
That got a chuckle out of me. “You’re supposed to be the docile one.”
“Yeah?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. “Never heard that before.”
“I’ll have Lemon work on getting you guys a bigger place in the family section. While I’m sure your digs here are fine, Liv deserves better.”
“Fully aware, hellcat.”
Apple smirked. “I think I like that. When I get to be an enforcer in the club, that’s what my road name’s gonna be.”
“Heaven help us all if that happens.” That came from Falcon as he passed us on the way back to the clubhouse.
Apple chucked her empty soda can at the back of his head. It hit with deadly accuracy. “Ain’t no ‘if,’ bitch. My sister is vice president. Imma be an enforcer.”
“Rocket! Your sister-in-law’s being a pain in the ass!” Falcon called to the president, never looking back at Apple, though he did duck his head and rubbed the back of it where her can had hit.
“Deal with it, fucker,” Rocket called back. “I got my hands full with my vice president right now.” He chuckled. “Literally. My hands are full of her ass while she’s straddlin’ me on the couch.”
Liv jerked and peeked around me to find Rocket and a grinning Lemon on the couch just like Rocket said. She faced him, straddling his hips. And, of course, Rocket gripped her jeans-clad ass in a firm grip before letting one side go and smacking a hand down on her cheek in a hard slap. Lemon yelped but immediately giggled and wiggled over his crotch.