Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 63194 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63194 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
The plan of them building their home had snowballed throughout the club. Razor immediately purchased the acre next to them and was building his own house. When Duke found out she could tell that he and Razor were holding back tears. Their eyes were suspiciously glassy. Later, she discovered that a childhood pact was made, declaring that when they got older they would live next door to each other, so they’d always be close. Needless to say she turned into a weeping mess after hearing it.
Soon after acres were being bought by everyone. Her home would now be in the middle of Razor and Slam. Prez, Hollywood and the Musketeers had also bought acres and everyone was building straight away, driving the cost down for all. Even the single brothers purchased plots even if a few of them weren’t building yet. They were going to have their own Fallen MC neighbourhood!
Debates were already underway about street names and road construction. She was staying well out of it. Shel and Jewel were well involved and she trusted them to not to let her live in a street named ‘Devil’s Canyon’. That name had proved popular when suggested. One thing was for sure, there would be no need for neighbourhood watch. Anyone stupid enough to try to attack or rob their homes would live to regret it. She’d seen the plans for security for the area that all the ‘residents’ were equally chipping in for and it was extensive. Her sons wouldn’t be safer anywhere else.
She was pulled from her recollections by Duke massaging her shoulders. It felt wonderful and she soon turned to putty under his hands.
“You feeling ok, baby?” He dropped his hands to rub her belly and was rewarded with several rolls and kicks.
“Yeah, looking forward to this party. Hopefully I won’t fall asleep part way through.” She chuckled. Duke pulled her off the stool and turned her in his arms to face him.
“You get tired, you leave. No excuses. I won’t have you feeling bad because you were trying to keep up with bitches who aren’t growing three boys at the moment. They’ll sit there drinking while you’re sat forming three pairs of lungs. That shit is crazy.”
She wanted to giggle but she could tell if he was being serious. “I promise I’ll be careful with how much I do. It’s a baby shower, I can’t see it being too crazy. Anyway, I need you to be careful too. I know you want tonight over with but I don’t want you being hot headed with my Dad.” He snorted and rolled his eyes at that. She gripped his shoulders, “Just remember that while yes, he is a shit father and a general fuck-up, I wouldn’t have met you if he wasn’t and we wouldn’t be getting this amazing family, so just be calm, okay?”
He drew in a deep breath through his nose and hugged her to him. “Okay baby. I’ll try to keep that in mind but fuck, you’ve been here the best part of six months and he’s only now paying up. He has no idea how you’re being treated or if you’re well or not!” He was getting riled up so she ran her hands up and down his back until his body slumped. “Sorry baby, it just pisses me off to think about. I can guarantee though he will have nothing to do with the club or you and my boys from here on out. My family is not for him to use in his deals. If he even tries, I’ll gut him from throat to dick.”
Nicole agreed with Duke on all of it and was ashamed to admit that she’d completely forgotten about her Dad being involved with club business. She supposed it was because she was an old lady now and they’d never really treated her as collateral. From pretty much the very beginning she’d been accepted into the fold. What she hadn’t known was that all the time she was not thinking about it, Duke had been silently seething.
Nicole came to terms with cutting her Dad out of her life. She’d cried and agonised about it but she knew deep down it was the right thing to do, especially for her boys. It didn’t make it easier to do, just easier to accept. There was one thing she wouldn’t budge on - she was determined to see him one last time.
Duke
They’d argued this point back and forth over the last two weeks, after Nole had finally contacted the club to make his payment. He had dreaded telling Nicole about it because he was sure she would want him in her life again and he didn’t that worthless shit anywhere near her. She’s so loving, forgiving and tries to see the best in everyone, but sometimes the hard fact is there are no chances left to give. He was sure that her insistence on seeing her Dad was that she thought that she should do, rather than that she actually wanted to. The idea of it just didn’t sit right with him. Her Dad wasn’t owed a real goodbye as far as Duke was concerned.
They’d shared long talks about their childhoods and so he knew her story and all the situations Nole had put her in. She saw them through the eyes of a child and so didn’t perceive them for the truly dangerous events they were, but he did. He knew or had heard of most of the people she had to deal with and the list was enough to turn his stomach.
Eventually they’d compromised. Nicole acknowledged that it was time to live her own life and leave her Dad behind. She’d never want to endanger their kids either and she knew she would be doing exactly that if she allowed Nole any contact with her or them. But, she did want to see him one last time, to assure him that she was well and happy in her life and to say goodbye.