Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 65872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 329(@200wpm)___ 263(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 329(@200wpm)___ 263(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
“You too, Nicole,” I answer, feeling lame.
“There’s Nee-Nee’s cutie pie. You getting to know your uncle, little one?”
“Little D is here?” Dragon asks, looking around. His gaze lands on me. I guess he was so wrapped up in Tamsin that he wasn’t paying attention. I expect his scowl, but damn it, to continue the crazy that tonight has become he smiles at me. “Hey, King, it’s good to see you.” I moisten my lips and manage to nod. I couldn’t get words to come out of my mouth right now if I wanted to. Luckily, Little D comes to my rescue. He starts reaching for Dragon. “My boy wants his Papaw,” Dragon croons.
“Good motherfucker, I’ll take my granddaughter that you wouldn’t let me have,” Ford growls.
“Not if you don’t watch your language,” Nicole snaps, slapping Ford’s hand like an angry librarian.
“Sorry, Nicole,” Ford responds, looking ashamed. I notice it doesn’t keep him from taking Tamsin.
“I could have held both of them, asshole,” Dragon hisses.
“You’re too old. Your hands might start shaking and you’d drop one of them.”
“I really hate you. I’m just looking for a reason,” Dragon complains, making Ford laugh.
I take a minute to enjoy not having a kid in my lap. I like kids, but considering the kid comes with all this long-lost family that I’m not sure of just yet, I need a second to breathe. My gaze travels around and light on ice blonde hair. Gabby. She’s sitting about three rows in front of us beside Torch and a blonde that I assume is his wife. I notice Torch isn’t wearing a T-shirt tonight. I kind of wish he had. I need something to break the tension in me.
Gabby must feel my eyes on her because she turns, giving me a small smile. I return it, but I can’t help but notice her eyes are vacant. Before I can do anything else, her gaze drops, and she turns back around. She looks so broken. It makes me wish I knew how to help her. I notice Skull and her brother are in the front pew with, who I assume is, Gabby’s mother. Why the hell is she sitting behind them? It’s not like there isn’t plenty of room on their pew for her. I shake my head. It bothers me, but I don’t know the family. Maybe Gabby is just really close to her aunt?
I don’t have time to think about it any longer, because the preacher stands up to begin the service. I try to listen to what he has to say, but my surprises for the night aren’t finished. Nope. I look down and find Kayden’s hand in mine. I look over at her and she grins at me and squeezes my hand tighter.
“L-Let her have her way. It’s easier,” T whispers.
I find myself smiling at Kayden and squeezing her hand back. She grins at me like I just gave her a dozen roses.
Shit.
Chapter 31
King
We’ve been riding our bike for the last ten miles, escorting Diego’s body to its final resting place. The Devil’s Blaze Kentucky Chapter and North Carolina Chapter—led by a man they call Beast—are first, followed by the Savage Brothers Kentucky Chapter and Tennessee Chapter. Our crew is bringing up the rear, with Ford leading us.
I discovered that they are burying Diego on a hill near Skull and Beth’s home. The grave is beside Beth’s father’s. It’s a beautiful piece of property. I have to admit Kentucky is prettier than I have given it credit for. The Devil’s Blaze Chaplin is standing by the graveside as we pull up on our bikes. We all take our seats, standing behind the green rug that is made to imitate grass. That is spread over the gravesite that has wood covering the grave underneath. Diego’s casket will go there for the duration of the service.
It probably sounds stupid, but I’ve never been to a funeral. We never really had one since I’ve been a member of Ford’s club. The men we’ve lost have been traitors, mostly. We did have a small one for Tweet, but it was nothing like this. The only other person in my life that I would have gone to a funeral for would have been my mother. I was denied that. After seeing all the crap that Dragon had his men send me, I’m wondering if I knew my mother at all. I’ve been doing my best to ignore it for now and not deal with it. It’s probably not the most adult way to handle things, but at this point, it is what it is.
Skull’s other son is a member of the Blaze, too. They call him Digger. He, along with Torch, Dragon, a guy called Sabre, Beast, and another man they refer to as Shaft, are carrying the casket. It’s silent around us as they place the casket down. All gazes turn to the Chaplain. I heard Dragon and Dom call him Preacher, which I suppose fits. The guy looks close to T’s age. He’s a tall, lanky dude with bright blond hair. His skin is paper-white. If I didn’t see muscles, I’d be afraid the man was on death’s door himself.