Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 80902 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80902 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
She takes a step back, like she can read that fantasy right off my face. “Do you have someone you can call? I left your bike out front. There was no way I could drag it out of the ditch on my own.”
Shit, I didn’t even think about my ride. “Yeah.” I try to stand, but everything spins and I have to sit back down. Fuck. “I hope I wasn't too much of an asshole. Last night's a little hazy. I'll get outta your way as soon as I can stand. I'm not exactly at my best right now.” I reach for my phone but pause. “Did I have anything else on me when you found me?”
Her eyes go wide and her face flushes a tiny bit. That looks like a yes.
More carefully this time, and trying not to scare her, I stand and keep my voice steady. “Listen woman, I understand why you took it, but I’m going to need my piece back. It’s safer for both of us.”
She curls in on herself a little, shoulders slumping. “O—okay, but not until you leave.”
I look down at the phone. There are notifications from both Sledge and Havoc, missed calls and messages wondering where the fuck I am and telling me to check in ASAP.
“Are The Misfits a big club?” she asks softly.
“Hm?” I look up, distracted by the phone.
“Your club? I’ve never heard of them.”
“Because that’s not my club.” I turn around so she gets a good view of the rear of my cut, where the Screaming Eagles logo is blazoned across my back.
She lets out a little gasp, but before she can say anything, a high pitched voice cuts through the living room.
“Mommy!” A little girl appears in the doorway to the bedroom. She’s a bit older than in most of the pictures, but it's definitely the same girl. In her hand she's got a stuffed bulldog, holding it by one leg. Guess I’m glad I kissed my host before she might be forced to explain it to her kid. Still fucking would, though.
“Mia, I told you to wait in my room until I said it was safe!”
The child’s face falls, and her chin wobbles a little even though from the way she looks back and forth between her mother and me, it’s obvious she’s trying not to cry in front of a stranger.
Her sexy-as-fuck mother gives me one brief look before crouching down and opening her arms. “I'm sorry, honey. I didn't mean to snap at you. Come here.”
From inside the safety of her mother’s arms Mia stares right at me with eyes the same rich brown as her mom’s. She’s not quite a carbon copy. Her hair is golden blonde and straight as a pin.
The longer I’m awake and upright, the more my mind clears. Details are still uncomfortably fuzzy, but like puzzle pieces dropping into place, it’s coming back. I was riding back from Vegas and Sledge asked me to check on his Grandma’s old place because there’d been some trouble in the area. Break-ins and that sorta shit. He’s been renting it out to some family Havoc knows. How far did I make it? With a groan, I sit back down, sinking heavy into the couch.
“Are you feeling better?” Mia asks, then grins proudly. “I saw you first. My name’s Mia. What’s yours?”
Never been around kids much so I’ve got no fucking clue how old she is. Not in diapers but probably not in school. She’s cute as fuck, with her little stuffed dog squished between her and her Mom.
“Phoenix.” I try to smile, but it makes one of my cuts sting. Do I still have all my teeth? I check with my tongue, and at least I lucked out there. “I’ve been better, kid. You ever fall off a bike?”
She nods. “It hurt. But I don’t like training wheels. It’s all wobbly.”
“Training wheels are for babies and you’re not a baby. How old are you anyway?”
Mia’s not about to start calling me Uncle Phoenix, but if she was ever really scared of me, she’s forgotten about it. She holds up four fingers and counts them off with a soft whisper, and then, looking pleased with herself, declares, “Four!”
Her mother stands, looking like she isn’t sure how worried she should be about Mia taking a liking to me. “He's just visiting, honey. He's leaving soon.” She says the words to her daughter, but they are directed at me.
“Hey, how about you? What’s your name?” I ask her.
She opens her mouth, but Mia beats her to it. “Mommy’s name is Shelby, and her phone number is 20—”
“Shhh, Mia,” Shelby says with a little panic in her voice. “He doesn’t need to know my phone number. Let’s go make breakfast, okay?”
“Shelby? Wait, where am I?”
Shelby’s sexy lips flatten into a tight line.