Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92519 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92519 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
“I’m sorry about the girls. Petal takes them everywhere.”
“Rosalie can’t drive?”
“She can drive but we’ve never been able to afford a car, and she wouldn’t let me ask her father for one.”
Colt didn’t need to hear more. He had a feeling Gabrielle asking for anything came with terms and conditions and his own special pricing.
“It’s why she works so hard, so she can save up for her own car.”
“You’re proud of her,” Colt said.
“Yes, she’s an amazing person. Beautiful and kind inside and out.”
Colt gripped the steering wheel tightly. He had to tread carefully but he wouldn’t get anywhere like this.
“I was at the Evil Fuckers MC clubhouse, met a guy named Bug there,” Colt said.
“Oh,” Gabrielle said. “I guess it makes sense for you to meet Daemon’s … son.”
“You know Bug.”
“I do.”
“He happened to mention that Rosalie spent some time there as a kid, but whenever I talk to her about it, she doesn’t remember.”
He glanced over at Gabrielle and she had closed her eyes.
“Rosalie doesn’t know,” Gabrielle said.
“She doesn’t know what?”
Gabrielle tucked some hair behind her ear. “When I first discovered I was pregnant, I wasn’t happy. I, er, I wanted to … I didn’t want it, and so I went looking. I never went through with it, obviously. I was going to put her up for adoption, and then Daemon wouldn’t allow it. He took Rosalie for the first couple years of her life. I wasn’t allowed to leave and he’d keep bringing her around, I think expecting to spark something inside me. It took me a long time to find that love I have for my daughter.” Tears were in Gabrielle’s eyes.
Colt reached out and clicked the glove box.
She took one of the tissues and dabbed her eyes. “It’s one of my greatest shames. Daemon has never told Rosalie what happened.”
“And you worry that if she found out…”
“It would upset her,” Gabrielle said. “She already knows too much, and I don’t want her to feel any kind of pain because of me. She has already had to do this for her father … because of me.”
“What do you mean?” Colt asked.
“Daemon is not a nice man, nor is he a good man. I think … actually, I know, providing Rosalie gets pregnant, he won’t come around. He will leave me in peace. I heard her talking with him on the phone. He has warned her that time is running out and he’s getting interested in visiting me again.”
Colt gripped the steering wheel.
“I know you can’t stand Rosalie. That she’s the daughter of a man you despise, but give her a chance. She is nothing like her father. She’s a kind and gentle soul who wouldn’t hurt anyone or anything. Honestly, just give her a chance.”
He pulled up outside of his parents’ house. Petal was only a little way behind him. “You’re going to need to stop crying, otherwise she’ll never forgive me. She’ll think I’ve made you cry on purpose.”
Gabrielle nodded and quickly dabbed at her eyes. “How do I look?”
Her cheeks were flushed.
“Maybe laugh and pretend I said something funny.”
Gabrielle chuckled.
“The hold he has over you is Rosalie, not telling her.”
He watched her swallow.
“Daemon is way too strong and powerful. There is no out for me. I know that. Only when he’s done with me will I find peace.” Gabrielle smiled. “But I see a brighter future for my daughter. If you give her a chance, I think you could make her a very happy woman.”
Petal hit the window. “What’s keeping you guys?”
Gabrielle chuckled. “You’re not a patient person, are you, Petal?”
“My Sunday plans have been changed so I’m feeling a little … tender.”
Colt climbed out of his car as his mother opened the door. Gabrielle walked over to Kim, and he watched the two embrace.
Petal had her arms folded and glared at him.
“I want to talk to Rosalie,” Colt said.
“And you think I’m going to allow that?” Petal asked.
“It’s fine,” Rosalie said. “I’ll be fine.”
Petal shook her head. “Yeah, maybe when you look in the mirror, you’ll see how fine you look.”
Rosalie chuckled but Petal left them alone.
He stared at Rosalie who once again had her hands thrust into the pockets of her jeans.
“What do you want?” she asked.
“To talk to you.”
“This is not part of our arrangement. Friday nights is what we agreed.”
He held his hands up in surrender. “Is it wrong for me to want to talk to my wife?”
“Colt, you and I don’t have that kind of relationship, so I’m going to say yes.” She pulled her hands out of her jeans. “What is all this?”
“An olive branch.”
Rosalie laughed. “So I tell you truth about who my father is, and all of a sudden you want to be friends?”
“I want us to be allies, Rosalie. Is that so hard to believe?”
“Coming from you, yes.”