Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 37111 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 186(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37111 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 186(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
“I need my daughter, Deadeye. Can you see I’m sufferin’ here?”
Mama head-slapped him. “Not another word. That girl is getting to know more than just your sorry self.”
I ignored the byplay and looked up at Isaac, needing to know what had happened. He enfolded me in his arms and kissed the top of my head, not saying another word. I knew she was dead. It was done.
For long moments I just let him hold me. I thought tears would come, but they wouldn’t. I thought I’d feel… something. Anything. But I didn’t. Then I recognized a very unwelcome emotion riding up to engulf me like a big, fuzzy sweater.
Relief. Overwhelming, shaming, damning relief.
I turned to Sword to find him looking at me intently. He’d stayed Mama’s hand and sat up on the stretcher. It was at that moment I understood how Sword’s emotions had gotten the better of him when he’d first seen me. That thought more than anything nearly brought me to tears. It didn’t mean he was justified in his actions. It just meant I wasn’t any better than he was regarding my feelings. He just took out his feelings on the wrong person.
“I get it,” I said. “It doesn’t justify your actions, but I get it.”
“No, honey. It doesn’t. I just hope you can forgive me and let me start over with you.” He shook his head. “I don’t deserve it, but I’m asking for it anyway. Magenta has given me a son and a daughter. If I’d known Bev was pregnant with you, I’d have done everything in my power to make sure she couldn’t use you like she used me. Like she used Warlock.”
I nodded. “What was it about her that made people do what she wanted?”
Sword shook his head. “I was only twenty-three, Chloe. She was sophisticated and beautiful. I don’t know of any man in my position at the time who could have resisted her. I can’t speak for Warlock, but I was just blinded by the all the bling she represented and too stupid to realize I had nothing to offer a woman like her at that time in my life. She was adept at recognizing what men wanted and giving it to them.”
“I’m sorry I judged you so harshly. My mother’s dead, and all I feel is a nearly overwhelming sense of relief.”
“No, Chloe. You feel exactly the way you should. She might have fucked with my head, but she never controlled my actions. That was all on me.”
“Thanks for saving my life. Twice.”
“Hey, I helped, too.” Isaac tugged me toward the door. “And you haven’t checked me over. I could have been hurt, too. Big bastard knocked me to the ground. My shoulder hurts and stuff.”
Sword scowled. “Take her on, then. I’ll just hang out here with Mama until she sews me up. Assuming I survive. Her bedside manner leaves a lot to be desired.”
I paused, remembering Magenta had kicked him out of the house. “Go home when you get done. I think you’ve earned it.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Oh yeah?”
“Yeah. You took a bullet for me. I think Magenta will accept you’ve done your penance.” I’d call her and put in a good word for him. I thought she’d give in to my wishes. Sword wasn’t a bad man, or a cruel one. If I could forgive him and give him a second chance, I thought she might, too.
Isaac took me to our room. Once inside, he stripped me and put me in the shower with him, washing every inch of my skin before following his hands with his lips.
“I could have lost you tonight. Pretty sure I told you to stay with the women.”
“I know. And I’m sorry. But I couldn’t let you fight my battles for me. Not by yourself. Besides, I needed a chance to say goodbye.”
“I’m so sorry, Chloe. If it helps, it was quick, and she wasn’t expecting it.”
“Honestly? It doesn’t matter. I’m glad I missed the end, but I needed the closure. What’s Warlock going to do?”
“Not sure, honey. He and Cain talked, and he said something about maybe going to Florida and Lake Worth to Black Reign, but he was pretty adamant he’d not get mixed up with another club. He’s pretty down on himself over what happened with your mother. Unfortunately for him, El Diablo has taken an interest in him. From what I’ve seen, El Diablo usually gets what he wants.”
“Magenta and Zora both mentioned El Diablo. Is Black Reign a motorcycle club?”
“Yeah. He didn’t start it, but he took it over. They’re kind of a law unto themselves. Have a hand in the local government of Palm Springs.”
“Wherever he goes, I hope he finds peace. He’s not a bad man. Just manipulated by a woman I was pretty sure he loved.”