Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 132332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 529(@250wpm)___ 441(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 529(@250wpm)___ 441(@300wpm)
“Like hell.” She sits up and wrinkles her nose, glancing down. “Boy, you better have put a baby in me that time.”
I laugh so hard, I swear I rip my wound open wider. “That’s what you’re thinking about?”
Her smile fades. “I can’t help it.”
A sigh escapes me. I’m too exhausted to talk about this now.
Someone bangs on our bedroom door and Charlotte scoots off the bed, rushing to hide in the bathroom.
“Give me a minute,” I yell. Where the fuck are some pants? I find jeans in the closet and slip them on, then open the door.
Blake’s leaning against the frame. “Rock wants us downstairs.” His gaze drops to my side. “You see the doc yet?”
“No, Charlotte cleaned me up.”
He cranes his neck, searching the small bedroom. “Where is she?”
“Bathroom.” I jerk my thumb over my shoulder.
“She okay?” he asks in a low voice.
“Yeah.”
His smirk returns. “Swan and Bianca are, uh, taking turns helping Carter through the healing process.”
Charlotte pops out of the bathroom, running a brush through her long, damp hair. “I hope that’s not a euphemism for my brother’s having a three-way downstairs.”
“Definitely not,” Blake says. “Purely medical for the moment. Just saying, it might be headed in that direction, though.”
“Looks like that offer to stay at Rock and Hope’s will come in handy,” Charlotte says. “I don’t need to know about my brother’s intimate matters.”
I grab a shirt and my cut, then we follow Blake downstairs.
The clubhouse is a bit livelier now. Carla’s sour puss is nowhere to be seen.
“Is the doc even still here?” I ask Blake.
“Yeah. Carla’s helping him stitch Rooster, then it’s your turn.”
“Fucking great. I don’t want that bitch anywhere near me.”
“Heard she got mouthy with Hope.” Blake flashes an evil smile. “That’s why she’s sticking close to the doc now.”
Rock’s waiting near the war room doors. For the first time in a long time, he actually looks weary.
I stop next to him. “Do you need me to do anything?”
“Nah, this is going to be quick.”
Thank fuck.
I ease into my chair and nod to each of my brothers as they enter the room. When everyone’s in place, Rock takes his seat. I catch his eye. “Can I say something, first?”
He regards me carefully, then nods once.
I stand so I can see everyone. “I want to say thank you. Tonight was rough.” I knock my knuckles against the table, suddenly unable to find the right words. “I couldn’t have gotten Carter home safely so fast if it wasn’t for your help. It wasn’t club business, yet you all had my back. Charlotte and I both…thank you.” Feeling like a naked asshole, I drop into my seat.
Blake pats my back.
“We got you, brother,” Dex says.
“You’d do the same for any one of us,” Bricks adds.
“I’m sorry I didn’t do more,” Sparky says in a low voice.
I look up and meet his bloodshot eyes. “You did, though. Charlotte said you helped keep her mind off things. Appreciate you looking out for her, brother.”
He straightens in his chair. “We did have an enlightening conversation. She’s brilliant.”
“Yeah.” I smile wide. “She is.”
I meet Rooster’s bleary eyes across the table. Whatever the doc gave him must be hitting him hard. “I’m sorry you got hurt too, brother. Anything you need, just let me know. Anything.”
He lifts his chin.
“Okay,” Rav interrupts. “Now that Carter’s home safe, can we please talk about the fact that he has two hot chicks fussing over him?”
How’d I know Rav would be the one to ruin the moment? “No,” I growl.
“I always assumed our little dude was gay,” Rav adds as if I hadn’t voiced my objection.
“Stop assuming stuff. It makes you look like a bigger asshole than normal,” Jigsaw says.
“Don’t get offended.” Rav shoots a smug smile at Jigsaw. “I didn’t say there’s anything wrong with being gay, I just said—”
“We heard you,” Rock interrupts. “Now, knock it off.”
“He’s got a point.” Stash holds his hands out in front of his chest like he’s carrying two watermelons. “Bianca has a fantastic set of tits. Every time I’ve seen her she’s been in one of those corset things, showing ’em off. So fucking hot.”
“Shut up.” Sparky shoves his buddy. “Not cool.” Whether he’s defending Bianca’s honor or worried about something else, I can’t tell, and don’t care.
“Then Swan. Swan!” Rav continues. “Who knew she went for little artsy dudes?”
“Jesus Christ.” I pinch the bridge of my nose and stare at my lap. “Can we not discuss my brother-in-law’s love life? I already know way more than I want to know about everyone at this table. I’d rather not expand that knowledge.”
“Agreed,” Rock says, taking over the meeting. “It’s been a long night. I want to go over a few things, then let everyone get some rest.” His gaze shifts to Rooster, then to me.
Z glances around the table. “We might need to go over this again in the morning.”