Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 54343 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 272(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54343 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 272(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
He didn’t wait for them but raced inside, leaving the door open for the others. On the TV screen, a singing koala bear belted out a sad song that almost covered the gentle, deep breathing of the Littles as they snoozed, draped over every soft surface in his family room. Street skidded to a stop and shook his head as relief cascaded over him.
A slumber party.
Movement outside his picture window caught his attention. He met Razor’s gaze. Of course, Razor would do whatever was necessary to guard his Little girl. Street reversed his path. Exiting much more quietly than he’d barged inside, Street met everyone now standing in his driveway.
“Looks like the girls decided to hang out together while we were gone,” Street said. He shook his head, laughing at himself.
“Triage at our cabin since Honey is safe at your place,” Razor said, stepping in to divert the amused bikers, who enjoyed Street’s panicked reaction to thinking his Little girl was in danger. “If you have a scrape on you, I want to see it. Vex, you’re first. I don’t trust any of you fuckers to laugh off a gunshot wound as a mere scratch.”
“Ah, man. It’s really nothing,” Vex told him, moving his hand from covering a dark, wet stain on his black T-shirt.
“How did I guess? Come on.” Razor led the way to his cabin, making sure Vex was following him.
Street glanced down at his bloody knuckles and back at the scene displayed in his window. Holding his Little girl was his biggest priority right now. Maybe Razor would never know.
“Street, you’re second. I see your hand,” Razor called softly as he corralled bikers through his front door.
Street rolled his eyes in annoyance while inside he registered inside that he appreciated Razor checking on him.
“Go,” Wraith told him. “I’ll watch over them.”
“Thanks, Wraith. I’ll return as soon as possible.”
“I’m not going anywhere until Caroline wakes up. Let Razor work his magic. I need you holding onto the steering wheel of that forklift tomorrow.”
Alone with one of those in Lucien’s inner circle, Street asked, “What was up with those storage containers I moved in Warehouse Five?”
Even in the darkness, Street saw Wraith’s expression shift to guarded. “Do you need to know or do you trust Lucien?”
“He’s never shown me he’d do anything to harm the Devil Daddies MC,” Street said carefully.
“Then you need to decide. Ask questions or rely on Lucien to operate in the MC’s interests,” Wraith said. The MC’s Enforcer’s tone was stiff and cold.
Street got the message quickly. He needed to trust Lucien or leave. “Got it. I’ll stop asking questions if you’ll assure me you’re one hundred percent aware of what’s going on.” Of all his brothers, Street had worked most with Wraith, both at the warehouse and for MC business. Wraith stood for all that was good in the MC.
“Lucien hides nothing from me.”
Street nodded and headed toward Razor’s cabin without another word. As the newest member of the MC, he’d watched everyone and everything before accepting his cut. These were his brothers. He passed Vex coming out of the door.
“Razor’s waiting for you,” Vex reported, holding a crumpled T-shirt in his hand. A white bandage stood out on his shoulder, extending slightly under his cut. Vex followed Street’s gaze to his treated injury. “Angel’s going to hover over me for days.”
“You’re going to love it.” Street smirked, and a slow smile spread over Vex’s face.
“Yeah. Congratulations on finding your Little. Make her happy.”
“My personal mission statement now.”
Vex shook his head. “Don’t start talking about dynamic paradigm shifts or I’ll kick your butt.”
“Nah. We’ll leave that to the desk jockeys.”
“Street! I’m waiting. Get in here,” Razor roared through the door.
Offering a hand to Vex, Street kept the grimace from his face as the asshole squeezed his torn knuckles. He’d steered clear of Vex before, not understanding him. With Angel supporting Rosa at a stressful time, Street decided that needed to change. He reached out to whack Vex on his sore arm, drawing a grunt of discomfort from his brother.
“Fucker,” Vex swore.
“See you at the barbecue. Maybe you’ll share your wing recipe with me.”
“Abso—fucking—lutely,” Vex answered and strode away muttering, “What’s the MC coming to? A bunch of softies sharing food tips.”
Street laughed and headed inside.
Chapter 17
Saturday morning, Rosa woke up cuddled next to Street. He held her tenderly to his chest as if she were the most precious thing in his world. She was sure her mom had cared about her as an infant and toddler but couldn’t remember anything other than the pressure to disappear. After remarrying, her mother had focused more on his daughter than on Rosa, fueling Rosa’s rebellion and further distancing them. Had her mother ever regretted pushing Rosa out of her new life?
“Wow, Little girl, you’re wrestling with big thoughts this morning,” Street said, smoothing a finger over the vertical line between Rosa’s eyebrows.