Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54817 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54817 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 219(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
“I don’t need a club to make a position for me—no offense.”
“That’s good. I’m not making you one,” Diesel replies at once.
I look at Dragon and the bastard laughs. “I know you better than you think, son. I knew you wouldn’t want shit handed to you. They’re just asking you to join the club. They’ll patch you in on recommendation from Ford, by the way, not me.”
“You’re still an asshole,” I mutter, and son of a bitch, if men could cackle, he’d be guilty of it right now.
“All bullshit aside, we heard why you’re not happy at the Saints. I completely understand it. That’s not the kind of club we are. You won’t have to deal with that bullshit. We don’t use women for revenge. If it helps, I even spoke with Blade. He’s not listening. Losing his brother, and the way it happened, changed him.”
“You know about their plans?” I ask, not liking the thought of Dragon telling them something I told him in confidence.
“Probably before you did. I spoke to him before Dragon mentioned you were looking for a club. That’s also how I knew the reason you weren’t happy with the Saint’s Outlaws, if you’re wondering. No one told me shit.”
I nod, but Dragon shakes his head. I can tell he didn’t like that I thought he betrayed me. I shrug. I like the man and I’m slowly learning to trust him. Still, years of distrust are hard to overcome. “Sorry, old man.”
“You’ll learn,” he says, and I guess he’s right.
“I’d need to talk to Ford. He’s still on his honeymoon. He wants me to come back, but I’d rather have a clean start somewhere.”
“You can just tell me when. We’ve moved the headquarters to an old hotel about a mile from here. I’m not sure how long it will take us to get moved back in here but shouldn’t be long. Even if we rebuild to raise the structure up, we’re thinking of a whole new structure at this point. Our place needed some updating, anyway.”
“Sounds good. Ford comes back next week. I’ll talk things over with him and let you know.”
“That works. Now, how about we put your old man’s grill work to the test? I’m getting hungry.”
“Fuck you,” Dragon laughs. “I’m taking a break. Isn’t Crusher supposed to be back today? Let that bastard cook.”
“He is, but usually after he’s been gone a couple of days, he and Dani disappear for twenty-four hours, if not longer.”
“Gabby!” My head jerks as I hear Nicole call out. When I look, I see the woman I’ve thought about the last few months. I’ve wondered how she’s been. What I didn’t expect was to see her here today.
“Hey, Nicole,” she says softly, walking over to her. She hugs her. I look back at Dragon. “What’s she doing here?”
“It’s her story to tell. Things haven’t been so great for her. Dani and Nicole have been helping her. No one outside of this club and us know she’s here, so don’t let it out. I haven’t even told my boys. They have issues with Gabby. It’s understandable. I did too, but time changes things and everyone deserves a second chance if they earn it.”
I frown. He doesn’t have to defend Gabby to me. The last time we spoke, I wanted to deck Dom and T for the way they were with her. I know they had reason, but the woman had been through hell and had just lost her brother. There’s a time for that shit and that wasn’t it.
I stand up and walk over to Gabby. I want to check on her. She was way too fragile and not taking care of herself the last time I saw her. I see the surprise on her face the minute she sees me. Then, it almost changes to complete fear. It’s a strange reaction considering we are friends—at least I thought we were. I think Shelby is proof that I don’t have the best judgment about what women feel or think.
“Gabby?”
She forces a smile on her face. “Hey, King.”
I want to know why she’s treating me like a stranger. To be honest, it bothers me a bit. “I didn’t know you were in Tennessee,” I tell her lamely.
“Yeah, for a few months now. Nicole and Dani are helping me start over,” she says.
“Which reminds me,” Nicole says. “I brought a truckload of stuff for you. Kayden redid the baby’s room, and I told her I knew someone that could use all the stuff she was getting rid of.”
“Oh wow, thanks, Nic. I started work, but until I get my feet under me, things are going to be tight. I think I found a nice house to rent in town. It’s small but has a decent yard. I told them I’d drop off the security deposit on Friday. That’s when I get paid.”