Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
I ended the call and let out a frustrated breath.
I was still aggravated with Dan for not checking with me before dropping the kids off early. I considered calling him to bless him out, but I knew it wouldn’t do any good.
This whole thing was just par for the course. Dan had always been a selfish ass who did whatever he wanted without ever sparing a single thought for anyone else, even his own kids. It was one of the reasons it was so easy for him to slip into an affair with CeeCee. He could do it without thinking about how it would hurt the kids and me, and he certainly didn’t think about her husband and kids.
He saved that luxury for me.
But I was done playing cat and mouse with him. It was time for Dan to grow up and learn that there are consequences for his actions. It was a job I wasn’t sure I had the strength to teach him, but for our sons’ sake, I was going to try.
9
DRIFTER
I’d done it now.
I’d fucked up. I’d fucked up big, and I had no one to blame but myself. I’d asked for it when I went to that damn diner. I just never expected to like her the way I did. And hell, I liked her in every sense of the word.
I liked the way she talked, the way she looked, the way she smiled, and, most of all, the way she looked at me, like I was someone who mattered and not just some problem to be solved. She made me feel, and that was something I wasn’t used to. It was something I didn’t want.
Not after everything life had already taken from me.
And just like that, my mind drifted back to a different time, a different life, and I could almost see her smiling back at me as she cradled our boy in her arms. I was crazy about them. They were my whole world and losing them nearly took me out.
I’d sworn I’d never go through that kind of pain again, and I’d spent the last five years running from it. I couldn’t do it again. Besides, I wasn’t here to fall for some chick with two kids.
I was here to help my brothers deal with Coyotes, and once that was done, I would be back on the road. That’s what I told myself as I drove out to Lake Maumelle. I’d hoped a little wind therapy and sunshine would help shake the knot that had taken over my gut, but even after several hours, it was still there.
I finally gave up and headed back to the clubhouse. By the time I pulled through the gate, the sun had already gone down, and most of the brothers had gone. Those who remained were gathered in the bar. When Preacher spotted me walking towards him, he cocked his brow and said, “I was beginning to think you bolted without giving us a chance to thank you.”
“Nothing to thank me for,” I replied, sitting down on the stool next to him. “I just did what any of you would’ve done.”
“Maybe, but none of us have spent the last five years being a drifter.”
“A drifter? Is that what we’re calling it these days?”
“It’s what we’re calling you. Seems like a good fit.”
“If you say so.”
“I made some calls.” He picked up his beer from the counter and took a long pull. “What you heard wasn’t just mouthing. The other charters are looking for a war.”
“Afraid of that.”
“It’s all kinds of fucked. The president here called and damn near begged me not to retaliate after his boys’ stunt at the Vault. He knew what we are capable of and didn’t want that kind of blowback, and now, this shit.”
“Sounds like there are conversations to be had.”
“Already on it.” Preacher didn’t look pleased when he said, “I reached out, but he didn’t answer. Left word for him to reach out, and he hasn’t. Don’t got a good feeling about it.”
I ran my hand over my beard before asking, “You got a plan?”
“Working on it.” Preacher’s tone went low as he confessed, “I’m hoping they come to their senses and drop this bullshit idea, but if they don’t, we’ll be ready.”
I wasn’t surprised by his response. Satan’s Fury had made a name for themselves and were known all over the country for having brothers who were loyal, smart, and could hold their own when provoked. And if someone made the mistake of crossing the line, they were a force to be reckoned with.
I’d fought alongside them on more than one occasion. I knew firsthand that they didn’t rattle easily, and if the Coyotes came looking for a fight, they’d find one. Fury wouldn’t back down. They would fight for their territory, their name, and most of all, for their family.