Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 60676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 303(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 303(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
“Well, there must have been a reason you decided to merge with Jackson’s club. Do you remember what that reason was?”
“Family,” I answer, without thought.
Her eyes soften even more. “Exactly, family. They are your family, and you don’t like how he is running things but that doesn’t give you the right to do what you want. Did you ever think about just talking to him?”
“He won’t hear what I have to say.”
“That’s not what I asked you. I asked if you have sat down and told him what’s going on.”
I growl.
“I didn’t think so. Jackson is trying to keep the club out of trouble, and you might not agree with that, but what you were doing caused more harm than good. There has to be a middle ground.”
“Are you done?”
She shakes her head, taking another shot. “Nope. As I was saying, there has to be a middle ground, the two of you need to figure out a way to make it work.”
“You don’t think I’ve fuckin’ tried that?”
“No, I don’t think you have. I think you took matters into your own hands and now you are here, alone, and wondering why your life isn’t working out.”
Now she’s just pissing me off.
“Shut the fuck up, Addison.”
Unbothered by my tone, she goes on. “Ciara would go to the ends of the earth for you, but you’re hurting her. I know you don’t mean to, even if you won’t admit it, but I also know if you keep going down this path you’ll lose her, and that will destroy you.”
Hearing that sends a crushing feeling through my chest.
I feel fucking horrible for what happened at the club that night, and for the things I said to her, but I’m not in the right place to try and make that better. Right now I don’t even know what fucking day it is.
“So,” she goes on, “we can talk it out here, or you can keep going the way you’re going, but I know you don’t want that, and I know the club doesn’t either.”
“Jackson basically stripped me of any title I had.”
“You and I both know he didn’t do that. He was making a point, and he has a right to do that considering you were going against him. Tell me, Spike, what would you do to a member if they behaved the way you did?”
“I get your point,” I mutter.
“Good, then if you want things to change in the club you need to do it the right way. Tell him what you’re feeling, you might be surprised.”
I narrow my eyes, taking another shot. “I’m a fuckin’ biker, not a child.”
“Blah blah blah. Let’s drink.”
Fucking Addison.
She’s lucky I love her.
STANDING BEFORE ME, the club forms a group behind Jackson who is staring at me with those intense green eyes I can’t fucking read. I don’t know how they found me, but here we are, standing in the street, the crowd looking at us right as I was about to take off on my bike.
I don’t know if I was planning on going back to the club, or riding to Ciara, or if I was just going to find some time alone but either way, they got to me before I could. I know this is Addison’s doing. We had a hell of a night, and in the end, the pain in the ass had me laughing as we downed enough shots for me to feel like absolute crap today.
“What are you doin’ here, Jackson?” I mutter, crossing my arms, glaring at the people walking by with wide-eyed expressions.
Most of them look away.
“You know why I’m here; I have a daughter that won’t let shit go, but she makes a point.”
“So you bring the whole club and make a scene?” I grunt, leaning against my bike.
“We’re here because I fucked up. I didn’t see that you were goin’ through it. I stand by my decision because you went against me, but I own my part. So, we’re goin’ to get on our bikes and we’re goin’ to talk this out because we need shit to get back on track around here.”
I keep my mouth closed and stare at the group, then I nod sharply.
Jackson gives the group the all clear to break up and they do. He steps in front of me, extending a hand. I hesitate, but I take it because what he’s doing here is showing me that the club is on my side, and they always will be. I can’t be pissed about that. Not when he’s making it clear that my voice matters.
Fuck.
I take his hand, and he pulls me in, his other hand slapping down over my back in a show of respect.
He doesn’t need to say anything more.
“I’ll bring my bike around; we’ll ride, then we’ll talk.”
I nod again.
Then I get on my bike and wait for him.