Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 81245 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81245 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Stiff leans on the bar. “What do you guys think?”
“Georgia peach.” I examine the photo. She looks a lot like Dakota. The same eyes, slightly lighter hair but that could be dye. “Wonder what happened.”
“She got pregnant,” Jackal says. “She let Dakota think Jay was the daddy, and maybe he is. Just because he denied it doesn’t mean it’s the truth, but if she was tight with Ice around that time, maybe Jay’s right.”
Stiff nods. “If you ask me, there’s a reason she gave Logan a picture of her and Ice, not her and Jay.” He signals to Hector with three fingers.
Hector comes over with our beer. He pauses. “You should talk to Priest.”
“Would he know anything?” I ask.
“Dunno, but he was tight with Ice back then. If anyone knew what went on with him and Peaches, it would be him. Why are you asking, anyway?”
“She died last week. Her sister found the photo and asked us to look into it.”
Hector’s expression is grim. “Shit, that sucks.”
“Cheers to that,” Jackal says, raising his glass. “And thanks for the tip. We’ll look into it.”
Stiff stares into his beer, swirling it slowly. “I fucking hate that we don’t have more to give Dakota.”
“You like her that much?” Jackal asks.
“What the fuck kind of question is that? You don’t?” Stiff snaps, pissed.
“Chill. I’m just asking. It would be a good thing. About time you let yourself actually fucking want something for a change.”
Stiff flips him off. “She’s not like us, alright? I know that. She’s pretty and normal and has Logan to think about. Once this is over, she’s going to go back to her life.”
I take a swig and lean back. “Maybe, but she’s going to Eric’s wedding with me, so we at least get to keep her until April.”
That seems to shut both of them up, for a minute anyway.
“Good.” Jackal says eventually. “If we find out Logan is definitely Ice’s kid, he’s family. That won’t change even when this is over. But for now, remember that our priority is to make sure she’s safe, and that whatever’s going down isn’t a threat to the club. Until we see what’s on that police report, and Poe gets to Georgia’s phone, we don’t know if this is all going to blow over or if there’s fire under all the smoke.”
“So fucking responsible. You’re not thinking about her at all? Cause personally, if Dakota wants to have a little fun, I’m game.” I grin at the thought. “Pretty sure Stiff has already cast his vote, and I don’t mind sharing.”
“Yeah, I’m in.” Stiff clinks his glass against mine. “Life is too fucking short not to give it a shot.”
“Hear hear. What about you, grandpa? Yea or nay?”
Jackal glares at me. “I’m three fucking months older than you.”
“Is that a yes or a no?”
“Yes, it’s a yes.” Jackal pushes off his stool and puts down his empty glass. “I’m done for the night. Got patrol in the morning.”
We watch him go before ordering another round.
“Those three months are important,” I tell Stiff with a grin.
“If you say so. Must be a thing that happens once you hit thirty. I wouldn’t know yet.” Stiff smirks.
I wrap my arm around his neck in a loose headlock. “You fucker!”
Stiff jams an elbow into my gut, laughing.
“Hey! Sit your asses back down or take it outside!” Hector yells, reaching for his bat.
“Yes, sir!”
17
DAKOTA
“Are we gonna see them again?” Logan asks after waking up for the tenth time since bedtime. He was crushed when I picked him up on my own today, and he’s still fixated on when he can see his bikers again.
“Of course we will, Lo, but I’m not sure when.”
He sighs, clutching the plush helmet that they won for him at the arcade. It’s a football helmet with a pocket inside that has a stuffed football, but according to him, it looks more like a motorcycle helmet, and everything is about motorcycles now. Even insects have been pushed into second place.
“Jackal says I can ride his bike if they get the right stuff.” He pets the helmet, pushing the fabric back and forth to draw patterns. “You’ll say yes, right?”
“Yes, if it’s safe.” The idea terrifies me, but Logan’s been through so much that I hate to stomp on his dream. I just have to make sure they’re riding in circles around a parking lot at a snail’s pace while strapped between two mattresses.
I stroke my fingers through his dark curls and his eyes flutter shut before springing back open. I stretch out next to him on top of the covers as his breathing slows.
I feel drained after yesterday, even with taking today to recover and do nothing but catch up on laundry and cleaning. I’ll have to go back to Georgia’s apartment soon and box up the rest of her stuff. Jay can deal with the furniture if he wants it. All I care about are her personal things.