Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 74270 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74270 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
I open my mouth to defend myself and she holds up a hand.
“No, hear me out. If your father calls you tonight and begs you for something, can you promise me you’d say no? What if he tells you he’ll be killed if you can’t sneak him the gun, or do him a little favor and you can’t tell us? What would you say?”
“I’d—I don’t know.” It kills me to admit it, but she’s right.
“And that’s why you’re still dangerous,” Harper says. “It doesn’t matter that you mean well. We have to assume that your loyalties are divided until you prove otherwise.” She might be exhausted, but her voice is sharp as steel.
I have to remember that no matter how normal they look right now, they live here. Their lives are a part of the MC. It takes a strong person to choose this life.
“I understand, and I’ll do my best not to make things any worse than they already are. I know we’ve never met, but I hope Lightning recovers quickly.”
She nods. “He will.”
Emily reaches out and squeezes her hand. “It’s true. He’s getting stronger all the time. We just have to wait for it to be safe to bring him out of sedation.”
“This timing sucks,” Harper says with a deep sigh. “If you know anything, Melody, please don’t hold back. I know it’s not easy, but I found out I was pregnant last week. I was waiting a little to tell everyone, but now I wish I’d just done it, because I don’t want to say anything until we’re all together again.”
Oh my God. I can’t even imagine. Emily looks like she already knows, because she’s holding both of Harper’s hands now and there are tears in her eyes.
“Please don’t say anything,” Harper asks.
“I would never,” I promise.
“I don’t know how much that means, but Emily seems to think you’re worth giving a second chance.”
“If she sticks around and proves herself,” Emily clarifies. “I agreed to let you come over here and apologize because I know that none of this is easy for you, and you could’ve just hidden in their rooms until this is over. When I first got here, I didn’t have anyone but the guys to protect me. I’ve done what I can to make sure the newer old ladies have a support network.”
“Oh, I’m not—”
Emily waves a hand dismissively. “Maybe yes, maybe no, but you’re a young woman alone in the compound and it’s important to me that you know we might not be happy with what you’ve done, but you’re not alone.”
I dash away a tear that snuck out of the corner of my eye. “Thank you. My mom raised me mostly on her own, and she died last year. Dad is the only one I have left.”
Harper groans. “Oh, for Christ’s sake. Does she have to be a younger version of us?” She narrows her eyes at me. “It’s making it hard to hate you as much as I want to.”
“Thanks?”
“Everything okay?” Hero comes in from the living room with Rebel right behind him.
“As okay as it can be for the moment,” Emily answers for us.
“Good,” Rebel says. “Because Riptide and Outlaw are back.”
18
MELODY
This is only the second time I’ve spent time in the common room. The first was when we played pool, and… yeah. That was a very different experience.
Today there’s a football game on the big screen, and the couches are packed. I don’t really care much about sports, but I can appreciate the fun of getting together with other people and watching a game. Rebel is upstairs with Shadow getting ready for the call to my father, but I’ve got Riptide and Mad Dog with me at the empty bar.
“Beer?” I ask.
Riptide laughs. “It’s a little early, isn’t it?”
“I’m pretty sure I remember hearing that this place follows airport rules.”
“You really want one? Or are you just looking to kill the nerves?” Mad Dog asks.
“Do you care?” I slide down from the bar stool and start to walk around to see what’s in the fridge.
Riptide stops me with an iron grip on my wrist.
I give him my best glare. “What?”
“I’m not letting you get wasted before the phone call.”
“I’m not going to get wasted. Sheesh. I’ll get a soda or something if you’re so worried about me, Grandpa.” I struggle to get my wrist free but it’s like I’m wearing a steel manacle.
Riptide tugs me closer, letting go of my wrist but wrapping his arms around my chest instead. “I might be susceptible to bribes.” His breath tickles the skin behind my ear.
I laugh. “Oh. I see where this is going. Mad Dog, I think your friend is corrupt. Are you going to let him get away with this?”
“How badly do you want that beer?” Mad Dog asks, raising an eyebrow. “I’m willing to see how this goes.”