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)
He’s kind of beautiful when he sleeps. His face is relaxed, taking away the hard edge he wears as a glove. I could stand here and stare at him all day, but I can’t. I need to start putting my life together—if I can. Reaching down to the floor where I left my jeans, I slip them on and just leave King’s T-shirt on. I don’t want to give it up and I don’t care what that says about me. I’m secretly hoping it will help me sleep without him. I throw my other clothes in the hamper. I’ll get them later, maybe. I’m not sure I want to come back to the club.
I sigh as I slip on my shoes. I’m not sure what I want in general. I know that I’m going to visit my brother’s grave before anyone stirs around here. I don’t want to run into Dad and make things worse. I purposely didn’t draw attention to myself at the funeral for that very reason. I want to say goodbye to my brother, though. I need to tell him I’m sorry. With that thought, I grab a piece of paper and a pen out of the nightstand drawer, writing a message for King.
King,
Thank you for everything. You were a friend when I desperately needed one. I wish you every happiness. I know somewhere out there is a lucky woman who will give you the life you deserve. Don’t settle. My knight in shining armor deserves the best.
Gabriella
It’s a silly note, but I didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye. I carefully open the door with one last look at him before walking out and quietly closing the door. I turn around to leave and run directly into Ford and Thomas. My heart sinks and I feel my body flood with embarrassment. I see surprise on Ford’s face. Thomas is just staring at me.
“Morning,” I mumble, walking around them.
“Nice T-shirt you’re wearing. It looks familiar,” Ford says. I stop walking immediately, but I don’t turn around. He doesn’t sound malicious. Actually, he is kind of laughing. I still wish the floor would open up and swallow me. “I don’t suppose I have to ask which room my brother is in,” he contemplates.
I force myself to turn. When I see the anger on Thomas’ face, I wish I hadn’t.
“I don’t guess you do,” I whisper. Then, before I can think better of myself. I plead with Ford. “Take care of him.” I start walking away, but not before Thomas catches up with me. He grabs my arm as I go around the corner.
“All three of us, G-G-Gabby?” he asks, disgusted.
“It’s not like that,” I try to explain, but I already know he won’t listen. He doesn’t have any reason to believe me, and that’s my fault.
“D-D-Don’t play your games with King. I won’t let you. He’s g-g-going through enough. He d-d-doesn’t need you m-m-making it worse. S-S-Stay away from him.”
I nod. I couldn’t make myself talk if I wanted to. Tears hit my cheeks, but I ignore them. I deserve Thomas’ hate. I pull my arm away from his hold, suddenly feeling so dirty that I can’t breathe. I take off running, wondering if I will ever feel clean again.
Chapter 35
King
One Month Later
I look at the wall we’ve been putting up inside the huge lobby. I’ve been staying in North Carolina for the last month. It has been a good move for me. I’ve been helping the Saint’s Outlaws redo the old amusement park—Ghost Town in the Sky. The Feral Kings MC could have had a great place, but they didn’t put forth much effort to do anything here. Then again, they were lazy, evil fucks.
The club and I have reworked the main building at the base of the hill. It practically looks brand new with all the repairs and changes. We even had a crew come out to fix the sky lift. We left an enormous room for the main part of the club, added a long dark walnut bar along one wall, and put in a couple of pool tables. There are even a few old school pinball machines and big screen televisions spread around the room. It looks really good. A few bedrooms are here for some of the members, but the hall has a steel door at the end. It opens to a breezeway which leads to the garage that we added. At the back of the garage, there are a lot more bedrooms. There will be enough rooms for all the members with three extras, in case we have guests. On top of the hill—which we refer to as topside—where the amusement park is, Hangman is following Blade’s orders and having the rollercoaster and other carnival rides fixed. It was surprising, but Blade has been in a maximum-security facility for almost five years. He should have whatever the fuck he wants. There are also bedrooms up there. The place where the women were held hostage, we tore down. That was my suggestion. I couldn’t stand the thought of Gabby ever having to see that building. I didn’t tell the men that. I did tell them that since Dragon is an ally now, if he and Nicole visited, they probably wouldn’t want to see it. So, we’ve put all new buildings up. Blade asked that we build a house here. I don’t know why he wants it. I have a feeling Hangman does, but I didn’t question it. There’s been a construction crew working constantly, and it’s almost done. It’s a brick structure and all one level. It looks out of place, but I’m not the president, nor a member, so it’s not my concern.