Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 80902 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80902 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“I wouldn’t have listened,” I tell him honestly. “I was sixteen and I knew everything. All I heard was that I could be there because I was special, not that the women who mattered weren’t allowed in.” God, I was so stupidly naive.
“Bear, Hawk, Viking and Snark would fucking revolt if they weren't allowed to keep Alessa here.” Sledge opens the gate into the low fence that surrounds a small front lawn. Tall enough to keep a small kid in while giving it a little freedom to roam. Mia runs over, eyeing a playset complete with slide and climbing wall with eager curiosity.
“Wait… that's like four guys right? Not one with a really long name?”
Phoenix laughs. “Let's just say they're real good at sharing.”
Well, wow. I glance over at Sledge who licks his lips and winks. We still haven’t talked about what happened when he came to the house. The three of them act like a team, but they wouldn’t… no way.
“That’s not normal, though, right? I mean, I’m not a prude, but I thought bikers were all growly and possessive.”
Havoc rubs the back of his neck, looking a little uncomfortable. “You don’t need to worry about it.”
“I’m not worried. I’m just curious. Jeeze, you’re my friend, not my father.”
Phoenix leans down to whisper in my ear. “I don’t think any of us would mind if you called us Daddy.”
Oh. Oh my.
The front door opens, and a woman with thick, black hair, an hourglass figure to die for and rich olive skin smiles as we approach. She's got a little boy on her hip, maybe two years old, and a second who looks barely bigger than Mia, peeking out at us from behind her leg. And behind her is one of the biggest men I've seen in my life, with a thick beard and shoulders so broad that I think he might have to turn sideways to pass through the door.
“Welcome,” the woman says. “You must be Shelby. I'm Alessa.” She smiles at me, then looks at Mia. “And I bet you’re Mia. Dante's feeling a little shy, but he's just about your age. I bet if you come inside, you two can find something to play with.”
It’s not a fancy house, but the inside is cozy. She leads us through a kitchen into a big living room with couches and chairs enough for a small army. Then again, if there are four parents and three kids, I guess they need their space. Over in one corner is a play area with blocks, cars and (obviously) motorcycles but it looks a little young for Mia.
Dante steps forward. “You wanna see the playroom? Those are for babies.”
Alessa grins. “Let them go. We renovated the basement last year so he and Izzy could have more room. She’s eight and still finishing her homework upstairs.”
I crouch down by Mia. “You want to go look?”
Mia nods a little uncertainly, but with Mr. Bear for safety she’s happy to explore. I peek down the steps. It looks like something I would have expected to find in the little neighborhood where I’m renting, not here right in the middle of a biker compound. There’s a table for drawing, bins full of toys, Legos everywhere, and foam mats to roll around and play on.
“Just play nice, okay?”
“I know.”
Alessa puts her hand on my arm. “She’ll be fine. Do you want coffee?”
“Honestly? Only if you put half a bottle of whiskey in it. It's been a rough day.”
The man laughs, a deep comforting rumble. “I can work with that. Come to the kitchen. I’m Bear.”
I sit at the table, feeling a little useless as Alessa pours coffee and Bear fetches a bottle of honey colored alcohol from the top cabinet. He doesn’t give me half the bottle, but he does drop a fairly generous shot into both mine and his own. “Cream? Sugar?”
“Yes please.”
Two more bikers come down from the upstairs together with a pretty young girl who must be Izzy. They are both imposing, but one is lean, with short cropped hair and five o’clock shadow, and the other broader with spiky hair and several face piercings.
“Thought I heard company.” The thinner one crosses the kitchen and tilt’s Alessa’s face up, kissing her.
Alessa smiles. “Dante and Shelby’s daughter Mia are downstairs. Do you think you can keep them company for a bit, Izzy? Mia’s had a rough day and could use some friends, I think.”
Izzy looks like she’s about to object to being sent off with the younger kids, but she huffs a little and looks at me. “Okay. I’ll go get my stickers first. Does Mia like stickers?”
This is all so normal and so sweet that I barely manage to nod and hold it together until Izzy runs back to her room before I burst out crying. Havoc, Phoenix and Sledge are at my side in an instant which just makes me cry harder.