Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“Yeah, those first couple of months were rough.” Ghost stood with his arms crossed, and his expression was unreadable as he watched Casey. “Felt like I was always waiting for the other shoe to drop, but now things seem to be settling.”
I had to admit that she had been looking better, happier, and stronger. But I knew better than most that just because someone looked okay didn’t mean they were. "How's she doing with everything?”
“She’s getting there. She's not looking over her shoulder as much, but…" He let the words hang.
"But it’s still there," I finished for him.
“Yeah.” His eyes stayed locked on her as he continued, "Dylan did a real number on her. For the most part, she’s pushing through, but I can tell when things start weighing on her. She’ll check the locks three or four times before going to bed. She sleeps light. Wakes up with a start and struggles to go back to sleep. But she’s tough. Stronger than she knows."
"Good she has you to help her through it.”
“I don’t know about that.” Ghost shook his head. “You know me. I’m not good at that staying calm bullshit. She even mentions something about what that asshole did, and it makes my blood boil, and I wanna kill him all over again.”
“Yeah, nobody’s ever gonna mistake you for Dr. Phil, but you’ve helped her in other ways.” I motioned my head over to the girls. “You’ve made her feel safe, and that’s something she hasn’t had in a long damn time.”
“Nothing I wouldn’t do for her or the kid.”
“How’s he making it with the new school and all?”
“Aw, he’s a tough one. He’s already making all these friends, and he’s been talking about joining the junior football team.” There was a hint of pride in Ghost’s voice, which was something I hadn’t heard from him before—at least, not like this. "I think we’ve got a quarterback on our hands.”
“That’d be awesome.” I gave him a pat on the shoulder. “I gotta say, family looks good on you, bother.”
Ghost smirked. "Ah, hell. Don't go getting all sentimental on me, brother."
"Wouldn't dream of it."
We stood there a little longer, watching our women talk, and it wasn’t long before the sound of Kay’s voice drew our attention to the hallway. Neither of us was looking to eavesdrop, but it was impossible not to hear her as she yelled, “It’s ridiculous! Those girls are half your age, and they’re pawing all over you like you’re some kind of god.”
“I can’t help that they have good taste.”
“Oh my God! You are as ridiculous as they are!” Kay roared. “You are truly incorrigible.”
“And what do you care? You’ve made it clear that you want no part of me or the club.”
“I’ve done no such thing!”
“Oh, but you have.” There was no missing the sound of frustration in Preacher’s voice as he snapped, “In fact, you’ve been crystal fucking clear about it, and I’m done.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I never was and never will be the man you thought I should be. I’m good with that, and it’s time you got good with it, too. Because that ship’s come and gone.”
Silence hung between them for a beat before the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the hallway. A door creaked, then slammed shut. Ghost let out a low whistle. “Damn.”
A few seconds later, Preacher stepped into the family room. He looked like he’d just been kicked in the gut. His shoulders were slumped, and there was a defeated look in his eyes. He ran a hand down his face before he spotted us watching him.
“Damn, Prez.” Ghost raised a brow. “That was rough.”
Prez didn’t answer right away. He exhaled a heavy breath, then shook his head. “Yeah, I can’t keep doing this shit.”
I exchanged a glance with Ghost. We’d both seen Preacher handle more than his fair share of shit over the years, but this mess with Kay was different. She got to him in a way nothing else did. It was clear he was torn, so I suggested, “Maybe it’s time to tell the girls to back off?”
“It’s not about the fucking girls. It never has been.” He kept his eyes trained ahead as he added, “Not gonna matter what I do. It’s not gonna be enough for her.”
“What are you saying?”
“She’s gotta go.”
Her ex-husband had given himself up to the men he’d deceived and robbed, but we hadn’t heard anything from him since. There was still a chance that there would be further backlash, so Ghost was compelled to ask, “You sure that’s a good idea?”
“Don’t have a choice in the matter. This shit isn’t fair to either of us.” Prez shook his head. “There was a time when I loved her like no other. Hell, I would’ve done just about anything for her, but now, I just wanna wring her fucking neck.”