Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 33170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
“You’ve got no idea what they went though, Brick.” Sting shook his head. “Ain’t sure they belong here. Hell, ain’t sure how they survived at Black Reign. They need to be in a little house with a fuckin’ white picket fence protected by a loving husband who dotes on their every move.”
“I think you’re not giving them enough credit.” It surprised me that Iris spoke up. It wasn’t a formal meeting in Church, but Iris was new to everything here, including life in an active MC. Every now and then, I’d see her looking around the room, wide-eyed and somewhat in shock herself. If anyone questioned whether or not she was going to be a good ol’ lady to our president, now was the moment of truth. “They survived hell. They can survive here.”
Sting gave her a look of pride before schooling his features once again. “Let’s give it time. Deal with any issues as they happen. In the meantime, treat them like you would any other woman here who’s not a club whore.”
“Pres, there ain’t no women here who ain’t club whores.” That was Cyrus. Regardless of his statement, he wasn’t stupid. He had trouble relating to other people’s feelings and thought everyone should just do what he said, but he wasn’t a bad guy.
“Except me.” Iris said, her face a hard mask of anger. “Treat them with the respect you better treat me with.”
Brick barked out a laugh before smothering it with a cough.
Cyrus blinked and shook his head. “This is one of those times I sound like a dumbass. Isn’t it?”
Brick clapped him on the shoulder. “Wish I could say otherwise, man, but yeah. It’s one of those things to do with feeling. You’ll figure it out eventually. Just try not to be too big of a bastard as you do.”
“Where are the kids? Everyone asleep?”
“Yes.” Iris smiled a contented, happy smile. “Jerrica is sharing a room with Monica, Daisy, and Clover. Clover still isn’t talking, but then she hasn’t since she came to the home. But she smiled when she saw the bed Sting helped me fix for her.”
“You can do wonders for a girl child with a pink comforter and fairy lights.” Sting beamed, looking for all the world like a proud papa.
“Fuck, Sting.” Smoke shook his head as he took a swig of his beer. “Not a daddy a month yet and already those girls stole your man card. Your woman gonna keep it or she gonna let you have it back when we go on rides?”
Sting just rolled his eyes. “Keep it up, and you’ll have guard duty from now till next Christmas.”
That got everyone laughing. Normally this would be when I’d find me a woman for the night. Relax and fuck until I was tired. I didn’t want to tonight. My head wasn’t in it. Instead, I went to the area we’d set up for guests at the very back of the main clubhouse. I figured that was where Brick had put Winter and Serelda. At least until we had time to relocate them to one of the houses in the compound.
I walked down the hall and saw Winter’s pale blonde locks disappearing through a door at the end of the hallway. When I got to the door, I knocked lightly. There was some shuffling before the door opened. Winter stood in the doorway, blocking my view and holding the line that protected her sister from prying eyes.
“Just thought I’d check on you.” It was lame, but it didn’t feel right not going to her. And it was definitely Winter I had a pull toward.
“We’re fine. Thanks for asking.” She stared at my chest, not meeting my gaze.
“You should come down to the party. Meet some of the guys. Iris is there with Sting. Stick with her, and the club whores’ll stay outa your way.”
“I suppose we should.” She didn’t seem convinced, looking over her shoulder. Probably to get Serelda’s opinion, though I couldn’t see the other woman. Winter guarded her sister like a pitbull. That was easy to see.
“There’ll be food. Always is. I’ll be happy to take you down.”
Again, she looked over her shoulder. “Maybe I’ll bring Serelda something back.”
“We can do that.”
“Go with him, Winter.” The sound coming from the inside of the room was eerily similar to Winter’s but husky. As if she didn’t use her voice much. “I’m tired from the trip. I’ll just take a bath, then rest.”
“I’ll bring you back something. You need to eat.” Winter was close to tears. I could see it on her face. Was she rethinking their decision to leave their home?
“You know, I can arrange for you to go back to Black Reign if you want. You’re welcome to stay, but don’t think you have to just because you’re already here.” I tried to sound gentle when I wanted to make the decision for her. Anyone could tell Serelda wasn’t ready, and Winter wasn’t being separated from Serelda.