Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 52932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
“Hadrian,” Hades says, stopping me before we reach our car. “Whatever happens, just know I’m here for you. We’re in this together, no matter what.”
“Aye, we all are. Our brothers in the club are there for you too,” Racer adds with a nod.
I smile, grateful for their unwavering support. “Thanks, lads. That means a lot.”
Hades nods, his expression serious. “Don’t let your fears control you. You’re stronger than you think.”
As we drive away from the warehouse, I can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation. The future is uncertain, but for the first time in a long while, I feel ready to face it. Harley is out there somewhere, and whether she’s moved on or is still waiting, I know I need to see her, to find out where we stand.
The journey ahead won’t be easy, but with Hades by my side and the strength of our shared past, I know I can face whatever comes next. The road stretches out before us, a path filled with unknowns and possibilities. I have a sense of hope and a belief that maybe, just maybe, everything will be okay.
ONE
HARLEY
Sixteen Years Old
Most of my life has been spent learning about my Da’s business. My father isn’t a good man, but then again, nobody who lives around here is. South Shields is rough. The coastal town, close to Newcastle, in North East England has seen better days.
When you’re raised in a world that’s dangerous, you very quickly learn to grow a thick skin. Fear isn’t something I know much about. My father’s the head of one of the most notorious criminal organisations in the North East, perhaps even further afield, but I haven’t been far enough away from this shitty little town to find out. The only other place I’ve been to is Newcastle, which is the closest big city.
As the daughter of an infamous gangster, I’ve been taught to fight back if anybody threatens me. The thing of it is, though, I’ve never had to fight, because everyone is scared of my father. They call him Scarface, but all he is to me is Da. When my mother died, just after my twelfth birthday, I closed myself off to everyone around me except him. He was the only one who understood just how much pain I was in. I’m still in.
The organisation does illegal shit, but my father has always tried to keep me out of it. He told me he doesn’t want me growing up in this life, but there’s nowhere else for me to go. I’m definitely not going to some fucking boarding school.
I don’t do posh.
I stare out at the water, where the ocean and the River Tyne meet. The coastline is picturesque, and I feel a sense of freedom standing on the outside edge of the country like this. I know there are many more towns along the coast, but this one is my favourite because this is the place I call home.
I’ve often wondered what it would be like to move to another town or even in a city, but each time the thought pops into my head, I realise I would be walking away from my father if I left. He’s already suffered enough, losing the love of his life.
Most people who work for him see the cold-hearted bastard they believe him to be. But I see him in a different light. I’m not oblivious to who he is or what he does, but I still can’t see him as a monster. He’s done the best he can for me over the years, playing Mam and Da to a girl who wanted to hide away from the world.
“Ley!” My name being called means my time watching the water is over. “Ley!”
“What?” I turn to see David, one of my father’s men, walking towards me. He’s only recently joined the fold, as Da likes to call it.
“Your father is looking for you. He needs you back at the house.”
There’s a posh lilt to the accent of the young man addressing me, and I wonder if he’s run away from home. Something tells me David hasn’t grown up in a rough neighbourhood, but then again, I’ve learnt you can’t judge a person by the way they speak or dress.
“Okay.” I sigh as I take one last look at the sea and inhale the scent of salt in the air. Turning, I follow him as he makes his way back to the car he came in. “I have my own transport,” I tell him, gesturing to the bicycle that Da bought me when I turned thirteen.
“I’ll put it in the back,” David responds without looking at me.
Most of the men, especially those closest to my age, have been warned to stay away from me. They know if they so much as attempt to chat me up, they’ll be answering to my father. Sadly, since no lad is going to take on the big and mighty Shaun Hunt, I’m pretty certain I’m going to die a virgin.