Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77904 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77904 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
I followed him into the bar, and Prez and several of the other brothers were sitting at one of the back tables with our brothers from the Little Rock chapter. Preacher, the president of the club, looked just as menacing as the last time I’d seen him. He was several years older now with deep lines etching his face, but his eyes were still sharp and unyielding as they peered around the room.
Grim, his towering enforcer, sat next to him, and his imposing figure seemed to accentuate his president's fearsome aura. Together, they exuded pure dominance and control. They were a force to be reckoned with, no question about it, but the kid next to them looked anything but fierce or intimidating.
Beckett resembled his father but in appearance alone. They shared the same dark hair, eyes, and tattoos, but this kid wore his anguish like a second skin. His eyes smoldered with a mix of hurt and anger, and he looked like he could break down at any minute. Losing his girlfriend had clearly done a real number on him, and I had no idea how bringing him here was supposed to help anything.
Knowing how protective Preacher was over his son, I asked, “So, what are they gonna do about the girl?”
“Nothing. He hadn’t actually claimed the girl. At least, not in any way that really counted. Hell, I’m pretty sure she was only sixteen or something, and they just aren’t willing to go to war with a gang twice their size over a hookup.”
“Can’t really blame them for that.”
Torch and I had just sat down at the counter when Beckett slammed his fist down on the table and roared, “That’s bullshit, and you know it!”
“That’s enough, Beckett!” Preacher growled.
“It will never be enough.” Beckett stood, and his chair fell behind him. “Not until every last one of them is dead and fucking buried.”
With his fists clenched as this side, he stormed out of the clubhouse and into the parking lot. Words were exchanged between Grim and Preacher, and after a quick nod, Grim got up and went after Beckett. Once he’d stepped back out, Preacher continued his conversation with Prez and Savage.
“Damn.” Torch grimaced. “The kid’s a livewire.”
I’d only been with Maggie a couple of times, but I would’ve felt the same as Beckett if someone hurt her. Hell, I would want to burn the motherfuckers to the ground and more. It was that thought that led me to say, “Can’t really blame him. The whole thing is fucked up.”
“Yeah, it is. Preacher thought the time away would help him cool off, but I don’t see that happening.”
“Yeah, me either.” I could feel the tension building in my neck. “I hate it for him. I know Preacher’s in a tough spot, but we’ve already got our hands full with the renovations and this Bruton change of hands bullshit. We don’t have time to babysit some heartbroken kid.”
“Busy or not, he’s here to stay, so we’re gonna have to figure it out.”
The room fell silent when the back door swung open. I thought Beckett and Grimm were coming back, but it was Londyn, Savage’s ol’ lady, and their son. Londyn must’ve realized that they’d walked in on something because she stopped at the entrance and didn’t come in any further, waiting for Savage to come to them instead. He quickly excused himself from the table and rushed over to them. After a quick word with Londyn, he knelt to say something to his son.
Dalton was the spitting image of his father. He not only had the same eyes and hair, but he also had his father’s intense demeanor. He listened intently as Savage explained that he had things to tend to but promised that he would be home soon. He nodded with wide-eyed trust, then reached out and gave Savage a hug. Emotion marked Savage’s face as he hugged Dalton back.
After giving him a quick kiss on the temple, he rose to his feet and watched as Londyn and Dalton slipped back out the door. Savage stood there for a moment, letting their brief exchange sink in, and then, he headed back over to Prez and the rest of the group. It was clear they were going to be there awhile, so I stood and told Torch, “I’m gonna get going.”
“Where you running off to?” Torch cocked his brow. “Got another hot date?”
“Nah, I’ve just got some things to tend to, and while I’m out, I thought I’d go back and check in with Guardrail. I want to make sure they were able to get us back on track.”
“I’m sure they did, especially if Guardrail has anything to say about it.” Torch leaned back and crossed his arms. “So, you’re really not gonna tell me about last night.”
“It was good. We had dinner and talked. Nothing out of the norm.”