Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 132332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 529(@250wpm)___ 441(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 529(@250wpm)___ 441(@300wpm)
“Do you need me to come help with anything?”
“No, we’ll be a little longer. Where you at?”
“Uh.” I blink and take in my surroundings. All my laughing and sobbing seems to have woken Bianca and Swan. They both stare at me with wide, expectant eyes. I nod quickly to indicate Carter’s okay. “Clubhouse downstairs,” I answer. “Swan and Stash brought Bianca up and we crashed in the living room.”
“Good. Stay there.”
“I will,” I promise.
ROCK
“Good news.” Z tucks his phone in his pocket and joins us. “Doc said he’ll come up and treat our injured soldiers.” He slaps Teller on the shoulder. “Bad news, he’s going to charge us triple.”
I stare Z down. I’ve known him for far too long. There’s something else he’s not telling us.
“Really bad news.” Z takes a careful step away. “Carla’s coming with him.”
“Jesus Christ. This night keeps getting better and better.” I stab my fingers through my hair.
Teller snorts. “Who gives a shit? Getting her out of your life was the best thing that ever happened to you.”
“While that’s true,” I answer, “I don’t want her bothering Hope.”
Murphy steps up. “I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen.”
“See,” Teller jerks his thumb at Murphy. “Hope’s ginger-headed personal superhero won’t let anything ruffle Mom’s feathers.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. It’s too late for this. “A lot of punchable words in that sentence.”
My son has the nerve to wag a finger in my face. “What’d I say about child abuse?”
“In your case, it should be swift and often?” Murphy guesses, throwing a fake punch at Teller’s gut.
I take a deep breath. The irritation in my chest slowly turning to affection for these two knuckleheads. Thankfully they seem to have repaired their relationship and things have returned to normal. A little murder always speeds up the healing process between brothers.
“God help you,” Z mutters, squeezing my shoulder.
Grinder lifts his chin. “The same Carla I’m thinking of?”
“Unfortunately,” I answer.
He rubs his palms together. “Been itching to give that bitch some choice words for years.”
“Do it after her husband stitches everyone up,” I warn him.
“She found some other poor sucker to irritate to death?”
I sigh, both bored and annoyed with the subject of my ex-wife. “Yes. If we’re done rehashing ancient history, I’d like to head back to the clubhouse for a shower.” Last thing I want to do is take the filth of the night into the home I share with Hope and Grace.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Teller
My truck’s the first one to pull into the clubhouse parking lot. Rooster slides his truck into a spot near me.
The rest of the guys roar in one by one.
Rock had returned in Wrath’s truck. Whatever they wanted to discuss, I’m sure I’ll hear about later.
Murphy’s in my passenger seat. Carter and June are sound asleep in the back.
Murphy twists around and watches them for a minute. “I almost hate to wake them up.”
“You’re such a dad.”
“Speaking of, what are the odds Wrath and Rock didn’t kill each other on the way back?” Murphy asks.
“Nah, Z was with them to mediate. They’ll be fine.”
Murphy jerks his head toward the back seat. “They’re kinda cute together.”
“Please don’t.”
I open my door and Swan jumps back. “Is he okay?”
“Yeah. Exhausted but he’ll be okay.”
Inside the truck, I hear Murphy attempting to wake up Carter and June.
“Hey,” I say to Swan. “We brought a girl back with us. She’s had a rough time. Think you could get her settled in a room, some clean clothes, or whatever?” A long time ago, Trinity would’ve taken charge in a situation like this. Swan needs a bit more persuading to tend to the new girl.
“Sure.” She hesitates and wrings her hands again. “I can do that. What’s her name?”
“June.” I walk Swan to the other side of the truck, where Murphy’s helping June out and introduce them. “Swan’s going to find you a place to stay.”
June nods quickly. “Thank you.”
Once they disappear inside, Murphy slaps my arm. “Your little bro’s hard to wake up.”
“Blake!” Heidi runs down the front steps and launches herself at him.
“Geez, he’s fine,” I grumble.
“Teller?” Carter calls from inside the truck.
I return to the other side and open his door. “Hey, sleeping beauty.”
He smirks and turns, dangling his feet over the edge. “It’s really starting to hurt now,” he says quietly.
“Sorry. The doc should be here soon.”
“Cool.” He reaches for me, curling his fingers to motion me closer. “I meant what I said before. Thank you for giving a shit and finding me.” He swallows hard and shifts his gaze away. “I know I give you a hard time but—”
“Kinda comes with the territory.”
“Yeah, I know you and Murphy are always busting on each other but…guys like you don’t usually look out for guys like me.”
I cock my head, picking up on some pain under those words. “What does that mean?”