Total pages in book: 146
Estimated words: 138588 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138588 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
One side of Wyatt’s mouth quirked up. “That is accurate.”
“And you were there because your father was the president, and then your brother took over when he died. From what you’ve said it sounds more like a cult than a motorcycle club. You were raised in their world. Did you even know what you did was wrong?”
“Did I know running drugs and guns was wrong?” He seemed to think about the question for a moment. “I suppose I didn’t when I was young. It was the family business. I went to school, but I was taught to keep to myself. The only kids I was allowed to play with were the other MC kids.”
“They isolated you. Like a cult.” She’d heard Sawyer use the word to describe Wyatt’s childhood. At first she’d thought he was exaggerating, but as she’d pieced some things together, she’d come to realize how accurate it was.
Wyatt’s hand came out to brush back her hair. “But I did know later. I knew what my father taught me was bullshit. I figured out there was a whole other world out there, and Sawyer’s the reason. The years he spent with the Horde changed my life. He taught me I didn’t have to be this asshole who cared about nothing but loyalty to a bunch of other assholes. I didn’t have to accept I would likely spend half my adult life in jail. He gave me the courage to get out, but I did do things I’m not proud of.”
She didn’t want him to think she was a saint. “We’ve all done things we’re not proud of. I once kept a library book for three weeks overdue and I didn’t even pay the fine because the check-out guy liked me. I flirted with him so he would clear my three dollar and forty-two cent fine.”
“Uhm, baby. We are not the same.” But there was a smile curling up his lips, and he brought her hand up to kiss it. He sighed. “I promise you I’ve left my family behind, and I won’t ever go back. I paid my debts to the Horde and I’m free. I have a decent job and I’m planning on taking some business courses at the college in Alamosa. I’m good with numbers, and I like the work.”
“Good. Then maybe I can use you sometime.” Given the situation she was in with the school being so rural, she had to jump on any expert she could find. Caleb Burke was already signed on to teach Will and Bobby’s anatomy course.
His expression turned wolfish. “Baby, you can use me anytime you like.”
“I meant at school.” The man really did have sex on the brain. “Right now I’m doing all our bookkeeping, and I hate it. Marie said she would handle it but she kind of scares me, and I think she might be the kind who questions every expenditure. She said she didn’t understand why we needed so many tissues when all the kids could just wear long sleeves and use those.”
She was almost sure Marie had been joking, but there was enough doubt she had to consider she wasn’t.
“I would be more than happy to help you, but maybe you should talk to the school board,” he offered with a wince. “I want to be upfront. I don’t want to be your dirty little secret. That’s what Sawyer thinks we should do. Or I should do. Date you but not in a way anyone could see. He thinks I’ll ruin your reputation, and he might be right.”
She needed to make a few things clear to him. “Sawyer sees the world through poop-colored glasses. His hot bod houses the soul of Eeyore.”
“I think he would say he’s being realistic. He doesn’t exactly fit in.”
She’d thought about this, too. She’d been in Bliss for months. Not once had anyone said “hey, stay away from the dude on the mountain. He’s trouble.” They did wonder why he didn’t come to any of the town functions. She’d heard Rachel Harper complain because she had friends she needed to set up and Sawyer was single and uninterested. His disinterest clearly frustrated Rachel’s inner matchmaker. “Only because he doesn’t want to. I’ve heard a lot about how he’s the baddest man in Bliss. Do you know who says it?”
Wyatt nodded. “Sawyer.”
“Exactly. He sees what he wants to see because he’s not willing to risk getting hurt. No one in town thinks less of him for trying to save his brother. Now I have heard they think less of him because of his wine selection. Boxed wine shouldn’t be the only option,” Sabrina explained and then sighed. Just because she understood the man didn’t mean she could change him. “I don’t think he’s going to turn around. So the question becomes are we a packaged deal? Do you think you would want to date me if Sawyer won’t?”