Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 60268 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60268 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
“We’re going to be okay,” Rose said. She cupped his cheek, and Hardy didn’t know what to say or to do. It seemed surreal to be having this moment with her. They’d been married for ten years, separated for another year, and now they were about to have a baby.
Pulling away from her, he kissed her ever so gently, and finished making her a hot chocolate.
“You really don’t have to do this,” she said.
“I want to do this. I can’t do much in life, but I can make you a hot chocolate.” He finished making her a hot chocolate, herding her toward the sitting room.
He arranged the pillows around her, and Rose giggled. “What are you doing?”
“I’m making you comfortable.”
When he heard Fighter’s bike pulling into the driveway, he stood away.
“Who’s that?” she asked.
“It’s Fighter. I’m going to head out.” He kissed her forehead. “Take care, Rose. I’ll be back to keep an eye on you.”
“You don’t have to go, Hardy.”
“I do. I have to go right now.” He smiled at her. “Don’t worry. I’ll be back. We’re still getting through a divorce, and I’m not going to try and push my luck.” The last thing he wanted to do was leave, but he wasn’t going to risk losing her by becoming overbearing. He’d fucked up so many times, and he wouldn’t risk messing up again.
Fighter knocked at the door, and Hardy went to open it.
“I’m here because she wanted me here,” he said, holding his hands up in surrender.
“I know. Congratulations, man. Tiny let us know that you were expecting.”
“Take care of her.” He shook Fighter’s hand then made his way out to his car. Climbing inside, he watched Fighter close the door.
It should be you in there.
Hardy hated the fact another man was taking care of his woman, but there wasn’t anything he could do to change what happened. The only thing he could do was make sure it was him that Rose wanted at the end of the day.
Driving back toward the clubhouse he parked the car, and found Lash standing outside, alone, and smoking.
“I didn’t know you smoked,” Hardy said.
In the last couple of weeks, Lash had been voted in as the club president after Tiny handed over the gavel to him. Lash was the best choice out of all of the men, even though he was younger than Hardy. Hardy wouldn’t ever want to have control of the club. He couldn’t even control his life right now, and the last thing he needed was the club looking toward him.
“I didn’t until now.”
“Angel know you smoke?”
“Yes, she doesn’t like it. Won’t let me kiss her after I’ve had one.” Lash dropped the cigarette on the floor and stomped on it to put it out.
Hardy chuckled as Lash pulled out some gum, sticking three pieces into his mouth. Next came the body spray. “Why bother smoking if you’ve got a little routine like that?”
“It eases the tension.”
“Yeah, how did the meet-and-greet go with the other MC presidents?” Hardy asked. He’d not gone along for the ride with Lash. Instead, Lash, Tiny, Killer, and Nash had all taken the trip. With Lash now the president of The Skulls, Killer had become the enforcer, the club protector. The man was like a fucking giant, and Hardy wouldn’t willingly go up against Killer in a fight. Anyone who did was insane. Hardy had seen how he’d thrown Zero and Butch around like rag dolls. Speaking of Butch, Hardy had not seen or heard from the brother since he’d been sent to Vegas.
“It was fine. There wasn’t any real conflict, and Tiny was there.” Lash rubbed at his temples. “I find it hard, you know? Tiny was the best damn thing that ever happened to the whole of Fort Wills, and now he has handed it over to me. I don’t know what to do about that.”
Fort Wills wasn’t always a good, clean, happy town. For the longest time it had been overrun by another club, The Darkness. They terrorized the locals, killed and raped men and women, without a care for the destruction they were causing. This was the place where Devil, the president of the Chaos Bleeds crew, once lived. Tiny, along with Alex, and several other men, had fought their way to claim back the town.
The Skulls had its good and bad days, but for the most part, it was all good.
“You’re going to do good, Lash,” Hardy said, slapping him on the back. “You’re not alone. You’ve got the whole club at your back, supporting you.”
“Really? Tiny didn’t exactly allow for a vote. How do I know you’re not looking for a reason to off me?”
Hardy laughed. “I’ve got too many problems of my own. I’m not going to kill you, and no brother has any plans to kill you. You’re the best candidate for the club. There’s no one who’ll give a shit as much as you.”