Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 84334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
“You must be Ella,” she says, holding out her hand and I shake it. Over the past few days I’ve done nothing but cry, and I hold myself together, holding my hand out to shake hers.
“Yes,” I tell her still staring at her body blushing
“I’m Maggie, Razor’s my husband, he’s the President, we're so sorry about Chance.” I look around at all of the men in leather and Maggie turns around then looks back at me. “Don’t worry honey your family, they’ll all treat you with respect. Chance was a loved Brother here, and not one person would dishonor his memory by insulting you ok?” she rubs my arm as I burst into tears again. “Oh honey, shh, it’s ok, we’re all here for you,” she whispers, holding me tight and I remember my Grammy hugging me like that. I step back, wiping my eyes, feeling stupid in front of this complete stranger
“I’m sorry,” I tell her and she places her arm over my shoulder pulling me with her
“If you wanna cry, you go right ahead,” she tells me as men turn and look at me and I put my head down, and she stops walking, I look up and see two men standing in front of me
“Razor, Nash this is Ella,” she says, and they both look at me
“I can see why Chance never brought you around darlin’,” Razor says, and I frown (did he just insults me) Maggie laughs, and Nash smiles
“He means your very beautiful honey,” I blush, not used to people complimenting me, a bike drives into the lot, and a little boy and a huge tall guy gets off of the bike and walk straight up to us. The guy looks pissed off, so I step back and put my head back down, but the little boy looks up at me
“Who Are You?” he asks me, and I smile, holding out my hand
“I’m Ella, Brayden was my brother,” I tell him, and he looks a bit confused
“Who?” he asks
“Chance little man, why don’t we go in,” the huge tall guy tells him but turns to me
“Nice to meet you Ella” I smile not wanting to be rude, tears threaten to fall, but I hold them back feeling a little overwhelmed. Everyone here seems so confident not to mention good looking
“Let me show you to your room ok” I nod, turning towards Razor and Nash (such weird names). As we walk into the large warehouse I can’t help but be surprised, it’s huge with a stage, dance poles a large speaker system pool tables and a huge bar
“Wow,” I say, and Maggie looks at me smiling
“It can be a little too much, come on let me show you your room, I hope you don’t mind, but we’ve put you in your brother’s room” I look at her shaking my head
“No, it’s fine, I could use a nap it was a long drive,” she smiles as she leads me up a flight of stairs and stops at a door opening it and Brayden’s cologne hits me as I step in
“We’ve changed the sheets and cleaned up a little, but all of his things are here” I turn to look at her smiling
“Thank you, Maggie,”
“If you need anything you ask, anything at all,” she tells me, and I nod. She leaves me alone in my brother’s room, and I sit on the bed looking around, it’s really nondescript bed tall-boy cupboard and a small bathroom. I lay back, grabbing his pillow holding it to me “Brayden” I whisper as the tears fall again and I fall asleep to the smell of him surrounding me.
*
A knock on the door has me opening my eyes, and I look around feeling a little confused
“Ella” Maggie’s voice sounds from the other side of the door, and I sit up
“Yes, I’m awake” I call out, straightening my hair as she opens the door
“Dinners ready if you’re hungry” my tummy chooses that moment to rumble making Maggie smile “seems like you could use a meal.” I shake my head not really wanting to “Honey, you need to eat,” she says sounding worried. Everything about this woman reminds me of Grammy, and I realize that it’s just me now. I’m alone, no-one’s left and the tears slide down my cheek “Oh, sweetheart,” Maggie says, pulling me in for a hug again. “Hey,” she says, and I look at her “if you want to talk I’m a good listener,” she says, and I shake my head not ready for that right now
“I’ll be down in a minute, I just need to wash up,” I tell her moving out of her hold
“Of course, I’ll be in the kitchen, just follow the smells” I nod, closing the door and making my way into the bathroom and look in the mirror