Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83244 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83244 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“No, I’m good. I’m just going to sleep for a bit.”
He reached over and brushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear before leaning across the console to kiss me. His lips pressed against mine for just a moment, and then we both got out of the truck. When I started up the steps, he called, “I’ll check on you later.”
“Okay.” I opened the door and paused. “Brayden?”
“Yeah?”
“Will I see you tonight?”
“Do you want to see me?”
“As often as I can.”
“Then, I’ll be here.” A smile swept across his handsome face. “Get some rest. I’ll call you in a bit.”
I watched him walk over to his bike and kick his leg over the seat. He slipped on his helmet, and seconds later, the engine roared to life. As soon as he pulled out of the driveway, I went inside, dropped my stuff on the floor by the door, and went straight to the bedroom. I traded my jeans for an old pair of leggings and an oversized T-shirt I’d stolen from Brayden years ago and never had the heart to throw away. It had faded with time, but it was still one of the most comfortable things I owned.
I climbed onto the couch, grabbed my favorite blanket, and pulled it over me. The second I closed my eyes, I found myself thinking about the clubhouse. I’d walked in there worried that I was making a huge mistake, and it didn’t help matters that I was surrounded by six-foot-something bikers covered in tattoos and beards.
To say they were intimidating was putting it lightly, but not one of them made me feel threatened or questioned my intentions. None of them made me feel like I’d overstepped by taking those pictures. Instead, they listened and thanked me, making me feel like I’d done them a huge favor.
It was unexpected, especially after all the crazy things I’d heard about them. The rumors were wild and hard to believe. They made it easy to make assumptions. I’d made plenty, but the men I’d met this morning weren’t the monsters the stories had made them out to be.
They were protective and fiercely devoted to one another, and I could see why Brayden was drawn to them. They were the family he’d fought so hard to find, and that alone made me want to get to know them.
Somewhere between the thoughts of brotherhood and the steady hum of the air conditioner, I finally managed to doze off. I have no idea how long I’d been sleeping when a man’s voice woke me with a start.
“Brooke?”
I gasped and opened my eyes to find Ryan standing in the doorway with a frown on his face. He sounded both surprised and annoyed when he asked, “What are you doing here?”
Damn.
I did not need this today.
17
SMITTY
The clubhouse had a life of its own. The country music spilling from the bar was its pulse, the brothers’ laughter was its breath, and the bond between the men inside was the blood running through its veins. Our job wasn’t just to keep it alive, but to keep it thriving. We did pretty good on the day-to-day, but there were times like these when it took all of us working together to keep the club, and each other, standing.
And that was exactly what we were doing.
Grim was working over the guy they’d brought in from Shep’s latest hunt for straggling Coyotes. Creed, Memphis, and several of the others were out looking for Raymond, and the rest were either making calls with Prez or at the Vault, prepping for the day ahead.
And I was looking for the place where I was the most needed. I’d just gotten back from dropping off Brooke and was making my way into the bar. As soon as I stepped inside, I spotted Goose. “Figured you’d be with Memphis or Creed.”
“Figured you’d still be with Brooke.”
“It was a long night. She needed some rest.”
“I bet she did.”
“Easy now.”
“So, how’re things going with you two?”
“Better than I deserve.”
“Doubt that.” He crossed his arms and smirked. “Heard you got yourself a little girl.”
“I do, and man, she’s really something.”
“I bet she is.” His smirk grew. “Takes after her ol’ man.”
“Don’t know about all that.”
“But you guys are good?”
“Getting there.”
“Good. Glad to hear it. You’ll have to fill me in more later. I’ve gotta get to the Vault.” He pulled his keys from his pocket. “You heading over?”
“I was gonna check with Prez first and see where he needs me.”
“He and Creed are probably with Grim. He’s been out in the playroom since early this morning.”
I didn’t have to ask why. I knew Grim well enough to know that he was already working on the guy Shep had helped them track down, and it wouldn’t be long before he got the guy talking.
Talking.
That was one word for it.