Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 63496 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63496 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
He slaps his hand down on my leg and I notice it’s trembling. “I understand that more than you know, Pez. I’m asking you to breathe. Tell my girl about your past if you haven’t, because if she finds out and you aren’t the one who tells her, that’s going to hurt her, and could possibly fuck up what you’re building with her. The rest will take care of itself. You just need a little faith.”
“I don’t know if you realize this, Sabre, but my life hasn’t given me reasons to have faith,” I scoff.
“Hasn’t it?” he asks me with a smirk. “Your life led you here. If your past hadn’t shaped you, you wouldn’t have joined the Army.”
“Sabre, damn it …”
“If you hadn’t done that, you wouldn’t have saved Drew.”
“I—”
“If the thing with your parents hadn’t happened, I doubt you would have searched for a club to join—or hell, even moved to Tennessee.”
“Sabre,” I grumble, because I know he’s right. I was in Tennessee because that’s where the home I was shipped to was located.
“If that little asshole you thought of as a brother hadn’t fucked your old lady, you would have been saddled with her. There wouldn’t have been a shot to even get to know my daughter, because if I know anything about you, it’s that you don’t cheat. Not to mention, after the hell my daughter has been through, she wouldn’t have done that to another woman—no matter who it was.”
I sigh because I know he’s right. “Using that logic, I guess I should be thankful to LD for fucking anything with a pulse and Nora for being a lying whore.”
“Damn straight. Send them a box of chocolates with a thank-you card.”
“Not happening.”
“Maybe include a picture of you, Daph, and Cammie so they can see how you leveled up,” he mutters, making me laugh.
“Now that has merit,” I admit.
“You could also lace the chocolate with laxatives,” he adds with a smirk.
“Fuck, you’re twisted.”
“If I had a dollar for every time I heard that,” he quips. “Get me home, son. I have a busy day scheduled tomorrow.”
“Do you want to go with me to Daphne’s tomorrow after we meet with the club? I know Cammie would like to see you again.”
“Any other time, I’d say yes. I’ve got a date tomorrow, though.”
“A date?” I ask, and I don’t even bother to keep the surprise off my face.
“Yeah, don’t look so shocked. Just because I’ve been hiding from life, doesn’t mean now that I’m sober that I can’t remember how it’s done.”
“No, I’m glad you’re back in the world of the living again. I’m just wondering who the lucky lady is.”
He closes his eyes as if he’s savoring memories of the woman. “That’s my secret for now, son,” he says simply.
I shook my head, but didn’t say anything else. The rest of the ride back to the clubhouse was quiet. We were both lost in our own thoughts and this time, I was glad to know that Sabre’s were good for a change.
Chapter 26
Pez
I look around the table at the band of men who had become my brothers completely. Each of these men I trusted with my life. I owed King, our president, a debt that I could never repay. From the moment I met him, I felt connected to him. We had each lived a life that tried to take us under, and yet we refused to yield. BB, the vice president, has been a steadying force in my life. He and his old lady Beau always find time to check on me and make sure I’m good. I don’t know why they do it, but I’ve been grateful. The smile on his face tells me that he knows I’ve found what he has in Beau. A home. He doesn’t need to worry anymore and King grins as I look at him. He gets it too. Of course, he does. He says all the time that he and Gabby met to keep one another from drowning and in the process healed each other. I used to think that was baloney. Now, I know better. My gaze moves across the rest of the men. Spider, our road captain, and the former president’s son, was watching everything intently. Apex, Crash, and Playboy were also there as voting members even if they didn’t hold a titled position just yet. The only ones missing were Crash and Pyro—newly patched in prospects that were out doing business for the club. Sabre, Skull and Torch—the original members are here in their seats, too. They’re a trio of knowledge and strength and I’m grateful they’re here to help me—especially Sabre. He grins at me, and I just shake my head. The only ones missing are the other prospects we have that are doing patrols. We don’t really have trouble—especially since we’re mostly a legitimate enterprise these days, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. There’s always someone out there wanting what you’ve built. These people are my brothers. They have my loyalty, and I know they’re all here to help me. It’s something I never would have been comfortable asking Diesel—although I respected the hell out of him. I know now that I just didn’t belong there. King has rebuilt something solid here. He’s brought the old club back to life, while yet making it stronger and welcoming the changing of times and what survival looks like.