Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 104329 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104329 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
“So, did you always want to be a biker babe?”
“Are we attempting to make small talk?”
“Why not? We’re going to be spending a lot of time together.”
“Not if I can help it,” she said.
“You have something against spending time with me?” he asked.
“Carlos, I don’t need to point out who you are and what you belong to. I’m not part of your world. I’m only doing this to help Smokey because he’s my boss and I answer to him. I don’t answer to you.”
“You’d do whatever Smokey said.”
“He’s my Prez, and I know he has my back.” She moved through the kitchen. Everything was locked and secured. “I’m going to check upstairs.”
Carlos stepped in front of her. “If he told you to jump off a bridge, would you do it?”
“Yes,” Raven said.
“What if he told you to fuck someone for information?”
She chuckled. “Smokey would never ask me to do that, Carlos. I don’t know what you’re so worried about. I’ll keep you safe.”
She hummed to herself, heading to the stairs and climbing them.
“You know, if you gave me a chance, we could be friends,” Carlos said.
“Who says we’re not friends?” She smiled as she walked away.
There was no way she liked Carlos. He was … rude and opinionated. She remembered the first time they met, he’d been shocked to see a woman doing a man’s job. She could have wiped the floor with him if she wanted.
Raven had worked hard to get here, to be the best version of herself, and to gain the respect of the men. It hadn’t been easy to do. The club was dominated by men, and when she arrived, they believed a woman’s place was pregnant or sucking their dick.
Checking upstairs, she stopped admiring his home.
She already got it. Carlos was rich. He liked nice places and furniture.
With everything secure, she made her way downstairs to find Carlos getting off the phone.
“I’ve arranged for dinner. Pizza sound good?”
****
Ava walked into the main bedroom after feeding Umberto. She was so tired lately. Parenting was tough but she wouldn’t change it for the world. She was pleased she’d arranged for Harlow to take over at the bakery. There was no way she’d be able to deal with the sleep deprivation, nursing a baby, and baking all at the same time.
There were limits. She had reached hers.
“Are you okay?” Ava asked, looking at Smokey.
He still wasn’t asleep. When she had to feed Umberto, he always stayed awake. Smokey took his role as dad very seriously.
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
“You don’t seem fine. Do you want to talk about it?” Ava asked.
“It’s club stuff.”
They often avoided club stuff. It was part of his life that had been destroyed between them after he’d assumed the worst.
Stepping into the bedroom, she pulled back the covers and sat. In the back of her mind, she kept on telling herself not to ask, not to pry.
They were in a good place.
She loved Smokey with all of her heart, but she couldn’t allow this … void to grow.
“Tell me about it?” she asked. This was why she kept on trying to talk to Raven. The other woman was doing everything in her power to hide, to be invisible, and Ava didn’t want that. She hated to see the other woman sneaking away.
Ava got it and completely understood. They were not friends, nor would they ever be best friends, but Ava did like Raven, kind of. She didn’t want her presence to cause any trouble within the club.
“It’s fine, Ava. Don’t worry about it.”
“It’s worrying you, and I know I can be a good listener if you gave me a chance.” She didn’t want him to feel alone. They were a team.
“It’s Raven.”
“What about her?”
“She’s not going to be around for some time.”
“Why?” Ava didn’t like this. Smokey sounded … gutted.
“I’m sending her on official club business. I don’t want you to worry, okay?”
“Oh, is that all?” Ava asked.
“Yeah, that’s all.” Smokey turned to her and smiled, cupping her cheek. “You know I love you, right?”
“I know.”
“I’ll do anything for you. Anything to make it up to you.”
She took his hand within hers. “Smokey, you’ve got to stop feeling guilty.” She leaned in close and kissed him. “There’s no reason for it.” She stroked her thumb across his lips.
“There is a reason. When I think about what…”
Ava cupped his face and slammed her lips down on his, kissing him. Silencing the words. Smokey had begged for her forgiveness. He hadn’t turned his back on her. No matter how hard she pushed, he came back at her, harder than before, determined to make her fall for him, and she had.
Smokey had proven time and time again, his sorrow, how guilty he was, and Ava got it. She was the one who’d lived through it. Breaking the kiss, she stared into his eyes, once again seeing the guilt eating away at him. “Stop,” she said.