Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 107118 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 428(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107118 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 428(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
I stood up. “I’m going home.”
Sia snatched back her hand from Cowboy’s. My heart was racing again. I took my keys from my cut and headed out of the bar. I’d barely made it onto my saddle before Cowboy slipped onto his Chopper beside me. “What the fuck’s up with you?”
I didn’t answer; instead I pulled out of the club and hit the road. When I’d parked up at our place, I went straight for the kitchen and downed a large glass of water. Cowboy came up behind me, standing a few feet back. I turned and met his eyes. “What?”
“What the fuck was all that about?”
“Just tired. Going to bed.”
I went to walk off, but Cowboy grabbed my arm. “You feeling okay? You hot? Got a temperature or anything?”
I shrugged off his hold. “Ça va.” I’m good.
Cowboy exhaled, but he held my eyes for a fraction too long. Nodding, he said, “Ça c’est bon.” That’s good.
I turned away from him and headed to my bedroom.
“You were cold tonight, mon frère.”
I stopped dead, but didn’t turn round.
“She likes you. And you made her feel like shit. You could see it on her face. In fact, you were fucking rude.” Cowboy sighed. “We back there? You pressing the self-destruct button again?”
I stayed silent for three strained seconds, wanting to say more than I did. “It’s for the fucking best and you know it.”
Cowboy didn’t follow me as I shut the door to my bedroom. I sat on the edge of the bed and ran my hands down my face. “Merde,” I whispered and lay back. I heard Cowboy clumping through the house, still pissed at me.
And fuck, I was pissed at myself.
I tried to sleep. But eyes open or closed, I couldn’t shake the image of Sia’s fading smile from my head.
Yeah, I was a cold bastard to her. I knew it. I’d intended to be.
But as I leaned over and opened my bedside drawer to stare at the photograph inside, I knew I had to be. Truth was, I fucking liked the bitch. But it could only ever end one way . . .
In a fucking mess.
Bitch was worth more than what I could give.
Chapter Three
Sia
Two weeks later . . .
Bella’s laughter pealed through the air as she told a story about her husband. “He is with his mother, Ruth, right now. Father is with them too.” She took a drink of her tea. “I believe Solomon and Samson have a meeting today with Styx.”
Mae nodded. “They came to our home two nights ago. They were in the office with Styx and Ky for a couple of hours.”
“They are joining the Hangmen?” Lilah asked.
Mae sat back in her seat and cradled her bump. It was getting big now. “I do not know what was discussed, but I guess that is where it is going.”
“I think so too,” Bella said. “Even in the commune in Puerto Rico, they were rebels among those who were already considered anarchists of the faith. They would do well here, I believe. They are good men, strong in character and devoted to their kin. The Hangmen, over the past several months, have become kin to them.”
“Surely they will not prospect with the young ones?” Phebe asked.
They all shrugged. I exhaled a long breath and sank farther into my seat. I closed my eyes and imagined what I’d be doing right now if I were back on the ranch. I loved these ladies. I did. But their way of life was not the way I liked to live mine. Over the past couple of weeks I’d spent my days with Lilah, Mae, Phebe, Maddie, Bella and Lilah. They were always together. It actually kind of broke my heart to see how close they all were, and to know what they had gone through. They all spoke in their strange little accents. Were more polite than anyone I’d ever met. Their mannerisms were soft and delicate. And I was under no illusion as to why their men adored them like they did. There was no choice but to want to protect them. And unlike most modern women, they lived to serve their husbands. They were traditional in a sweet way, but not a downtrodden way.
I was nothing like these ladies.
The only one who didn’t speak much was Maddie. I watched her now, hand-stitching something that looked like a picture of a Harley. As if feeling me watching, she met my eyes and gave me a small timid smile. Beaming back, I decided to sit beside her and ask, “So, Madds. How’s life?”
Maddie paused mid-pull of the black cotton she was sewing with. “Very well, thank you,” she replied and immediately returned to her work.
“And Flame?” I continued. “How’s your husband?”
Maddie’s eyes widened, and I realized all the voices in the room had silenced. All eyes were on me. “What?” I challenged. “Just trying for conversation.” I turned back to Maddie. “So Madds? How’s the big guy? Gotta be honest, never thought anyone would tame that dude, from what Ky’s told me about him in the past. And here comes little old you, taming the beast.”