Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Family reunion from hell.
“I never blamed you for your brother’s death. I blame myself. I always have. I just spewed off bullshit, trying to lay blame because I was drowning and didn’t want to acknowledge that the orders I gave resulted in the death of my son. It was fucked up and you will never know how bad your beautiful face covered in that sorrow cut me open. It broke me just as much as losing your brother.”
Beth lets out a quiet sob and kisses her husband’s neck. “It’s good to have my marido back,” she tells him so gently that I have to strain to hear it.
Skull gives her a squeeze and looks down at her. When his gaze goes back to Gabby there are tears running down his face. I’ve let you, your mother and Carlos all down. I’ve let my club down. I’m going to try and fix everything. I really am. Right now, though, I’m begging you to forgive me.”
“Papi …” Gabi whispers.
“I’m so sorry, Gabriella. I’m sorry for putting my guilt on your shoulders. I’m sorry for hurting you, but most of all, I’m so fucking sorry that I wasn’t there when you needed me the most.”
“If you had been, I may not have found King, and I wouldn’t take anything in this world for what he and I have found. So, in that you can push that part of your sorrow away. I’m happy and I’m happy in a way that I’ve never been in my life.”
“You love him,” Beth says, her eyes shining.
“Down to the marrow in my bones,” she says, her beautiful face looking at me, with tears shining in them.
“Jesus. Now my own daughter is sounding like you, Dragon.”
“I told you, the girl found her grit. She’s exactly what my boy needs. Good he listened to me.”
“Fuck off, Dragon.”
Dragon grins up at me and flips me off. “So,” he huffs, “That’s a no to Virginia. I guess you’ll just have to dig in here.”
“No,” I argue at once. “Gabby and I are moving to Denver.”
“King, sweetheart. You’re happy here. I may want to visit Denver once our jellybean comes along, but I’m okay with living here.”
“Baby, I need to be where I’m needed. Not where someone is making a space for me,” I argue.
“My club is a mess,” Skull says.
“Man—”
“We’re down to Me, my VP, my Enforcer and three other members. That’s it. Everyone else has left. I can’t blame them, but I also know if the club was important one of them would have stepped up and tried to overthrow me. So, I’m glad they’re gone.”
“I’m all for you fixing the club. Might be hard to do, though. I heard Torch and Sabre both say they were going to step down. Just saying BB might like being an officer. I don’t have enough time to know what I want to do, but I’m not ready to take the helm. I know that, even if I don’t know anything else,” Carlos says.
“I’m ready to step down too. I have a wife I need time with while we heal. I have a son who needs his papi, even if he wants to deny it, and a beautiful daughter I need to get to know all over again. I even apparently have a grandchild on the way. I don’t have time to lead a club and bring it back from the ashes,” Skull announces.
“What are you saying?” Beth asks.
“I’m thinking I have a son-in-law that I’d be willing to sponsor as coming in to take over.”
“The fuck,” I hiss, feeling like I’ve been sucker punched. “That’s not happening. Gabby moved here to get away from Kentucky.”
“I actually kind of like this idea,” Gabby murmurs, looking at me.
“What?” I ask, wondering why I’m having so much trouble breathing.
“I love my family. Papi apologized, but the truth is we were both just drowning in pain and sorrow. I don’t want to leave them. Carlos needs to spoil jellybean. Plus, you said you wanted more kids. If we’re going to have more kids, I’m going to need my parents and Aunt Katie close by.”
“Nicole and I are close too, damn it. We can be there in under an hour.”
“That was my next point,” Gabby whispers, smiling at Dragon.
“Gabby,” I mutter.
She turns to me, lacing our hands together. “You love your Dad, and you love Nicole. We both know that. They’re a part of you now. You have T and you love him. Ford is a second father to you, and you never want to leave him far behind. Virginia isn’t a big ride away and once jellybean is born, you are so going to put me on the back of your bike, King.”
“I so am,” I agree.
“I think we should try this. It might be what both of us need.”