Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 82036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
“Is this a biker thing? I thought this was strange, but do they all hook up in groups?”
She thinks a moment. “Not that I know of. But they’re really tight with each other, so I don’t think it’s unusual either. They like to share.”
I blink at that. “And you’re together with all of them? Like, together?”
“It’s just the three of them,” she says with a blush. “My guys are really close friends, and we… kind of developed a thing together. Wait.” She glances back at the door as if the guys are just about to walk in, then down at Izzy, who's getting fussy. I bet she's hungry. “Does that mean that you and the Cleanup Crew are together?”
“Cleanup Crew? That's what you call them? Can I play the it's complicated card again? I mean, yes, they've decided they're all Izzy's father, and yes, they were all there at the conception, but together? We're still figuring it out.”
“I bet. If it helps, you picked a good bunch. And trust me, life is way easier when you have several strong men taking care of you. There's always one around when you need a hand.” She smiles and pats her belly again. “When this little character shows up, I bet I'll need all the help I can get.”
Izzy fusses again, babbling and pressing her face against my breast. There's little doubt as to what she wants. God, Emily doesn’t know how lucky she is going through this with so much support. “She's hungry. Maybe there's a room where I can go?”
“Oh, yeah. Though I don't mind, if you still want company until the guys come back. I can get you a blanket if you want to cover up.” She pops up, dislodging Jupiter, who drops down to the floor with an annoyed bark. She manages to look a little embarrassed. “I know we weren’t real close, but my mom isn’t very maternal, and I don't really have anyone around here to talk to about babies and being pregnant. If you wouldn't mind, you know…”
“Sure, but I’m not exactly an expert.” A minute later, Izzy is eating like she hasn't been fed in days.
“God, I can't imagine that's going to be me in a few months. My boobs are already getting sore.” Emily glances over her shoulder at the door.
More shouting carries from outside. I cringe at the sound of Dario's voice fighting with the deep rumble of Bear's. And some sort of smart-alecky comment from Snark. “Maybe I should go out there. I don’t want anyone getting hurt because of me.”
She looks at me like I'm crazy. “That's exactly what will happen if you go out there. Isn’t there any way to convince your family that you're here voluntarily?”
“I am here voluntarily.”
“Yeah, but convince them. My dad had a close relationship with Papa Giordano before they put him in jail. I didn't pay much attention to politics, but I know that much. Do you think I could help?” Jupiter's fallen asleep over her feet, and she rubs his neck gently. “And we went to the same school. That's got to count for something.”
“I don't know. Would anyone listen to us?”
“Well, nobody really wants a war, right? Maybe all he needs is a good excuse to pull that Dario guy back.” She flicks her hair back and grins. “You can't grow up the daughter of an ambitious politician and not pick up a couple of tips here and there. Come on, we aren’t useless just because we aren’t big, tough bikers.”
She's right, but that also means letting my family know that I'm here. Both kinds of family. And what will Dad do? I'm not going to tell them Izzy's father is a biker, but he’s going to make the connection. Because the chances that he’ll believe that I grabbed my baby and fled my apartment to go for a sleepover at the Screaming Eagles clubhouse with an old classmate from high school are zero. At best.
The question is whether Papa really wants peace or not. Izzy disconnects long enough for me to switch her over to the other side. Then I pull out my phone.
Here goes nothing.
17
ALESSA
For several long moments, I don't think Papa Giordano is going to pick up. The phone rings and rings. The voices outside are getting louder. I believe Emily when she claims that Dario doesn't have a chance to invade the compound with his men, but that doesn't mean that he can't cause trouble. And while my guys are a lot of things, bulletproof isn't one of them.
My guys. Viking, Snark, Bear. Hawk, even if he's still mad at me, he's a part of this too.
Answer the stupid phone.
“Yes?” Papa's crisp voice comes through.
“Papa!” I hope he hears the relief in my voice. “It's Alessa. Alessandra.”
“Alessandra, what a surprise.” He sounds happy to hear from me, which is a good sign. Even after spending most of his life in America, there's still a hint of Italian accent. “Tell me, my darling girl, are you well? I’ve heard some concerning rumors. If the Screaming Eagles have hurt you, I will level all of South Side to the ground. They have a strange way of showing they want this truce.”