Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 102136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
“Hello, Viking,” she replied, and pulled back her hand.
“Enquiring minds wanna know what you’d like to drink?” Viking said.
“I will get them, Viking,” Stephen said, moving toward the bar.
Viking stood in his path. “No one asked you.”
“Okay,” Stephen said, eyebrows pulled down. Ruth stood beside Stephen. Viking’s face went red. I didn’t know why. “Nevertheless, I shall get the drinks.”
“Having fun living in your new cabin?” Viking asked Stephen and Ruth, his gaze bouncing between them.
“Yes, thank you,” Ruth replied. Stephen nodded.
“So,” Viking said, folding his arms over his chest. “Y’all fucking?” The place grew fucking quiet.
“Viking!” Mae called and got to her feet. She stood beside her father. “How dare you be so rude!”
Viking shrugged. “Simple enough question.” Ruth dropped her eyes.
“Viking, step the fuck back from my mama.” Rider now stood in Viking’s path.
“It’s okay,” Stephen said, and put his hand on Viking’s shoulder. I thought Viking might break it. “Viking. I do not know why you care, but Ruth and I are friends. Best friends. That is all.”
“I don’t fucking believe you,” Viking said back. His eyes were narrow.
Stephen smiled wide. “I promise, Viking. I have no interest in Ruth that way, or indeed any other woman, for that matter. I am no threat to a man like you.” Stephen walked off. Viking’s mouth swung open as Maddie’s old man ordered drinks from the bar. I didn’t stay to hear the rest of the conversation because the door opened behind me.
I turned. AK and Phebe were already through. AK flicked his chin at me. “Vike being an asshole again?”
“Yeah,” I agreed, not knowing if he was or was not. He was just being Vike. AK waved to Vike. Phebe held out her hand in the direction of the hallway, and Sapphira walked into the bar. I hadn’t seen her in months. She stayed close to Phebe’s side. I heard a glass smash behind the bar. Turning, I saw Ash staring at her, before he turned his head and got on with the cleaning up.
I heard Beatrix before I saw her. Her cry pierced the fucking air and I ran to the door. Maddie was carrying her inside. “Shh, my heart,” Maddie said, kissing Beatrix’s cheek.
“Maddie,” I said and moved to where she stood. Maddie smiled at me, making my fucking heart stop.
“She is being fussy. She is tired but refuses to sleep.” Maddie stepped closer to me. “Here, she settles better for you.” I stayed lock still as Maddie placed our daughter in my hands. The minute I held her, all the twitching of my skin stopped. Beatrix stopped crying and she looked up at me. Her eyes were now green… they were Maddie green. Beatrix was as beautiful as her mama.
Maddie kissed me on my cheek as I brought Beatrix to my chest. “I will never tire of seeing you hold her. I cannot think of a single sight that would leave me as happy as this.” I stared down at Beatrix as her eyes started closing. Maddie laughed and I fucking melted at the sound. “Of course she sleeps for you.” Maddie walked to the door. “Let us go in.”
I followed Maddie to the table where her sisters sat. I sat beside AK. He leaned over and ran his finger down Beatrix’s cheek.
“Where’s my girl?” Viking boomed. Maddie and her sisters all shushed him at once.
“Fuck, bitches. Y’all on the rag or what?” He nodded. “Ah, I’ve heard about this. Synced cycles. Am I right?”
“Vike, sit down before I knock you on your ass,” Ky bit out.
Vike sat and looked around. “Seriously? We’re back here again? I’m starting to get fucking confused about whether we’re running a creche or a gun dealing business.”
“You don’t have to be here,” Hush said. “This ain’t church. It ain’t compulsory.”
“Hush baby, it ain’t a fucking hangmen gathering without your man Vike and his infectious personality,” Viking said.
“Infectious is about right,” Tank joked.
“Well, no more kids, yeah?” Viking pleaded. “Think we’ve ‘bout had our fill. I want to get back to pussy and body shots in here.”
“Well,” Mae said and smiled at Styx holding Charon. “There will be one more baby in about six months.”
Maddie ran to Mae. “Mae!” she said excitedly and wrapped her arms around her sister. All the bitches moved from their seats, but I stayed right where I was. I stared down at my Beatrix, sleeping. I never fucking wanted to look away.
I never let go of her the entire day, except for Maddie to feed her or to hold her. Maddie yawned. “I am ready to go home, Flame,” she said.
I got to my feet and walked to the truck. Maddie put Beatrix in the car seat, and we drove home. We walked into the bedroom and Maddie lay down on the bed, putting Beatrix beside her. I climbed on the other side. Beatrix kicked her arms and legs between us. Her green eyes locked on mine. I gasped. I fucking gasped every time I met her eyes—a little Maddie. I had another Maddie. Warmth spread through my veins again. Not the flames, but the other warm feeling I’d had since I first held her.