Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 106284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 531(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106284 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 531(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Tears leak from her mom’s eyes, but I don’t feel sorrow for her. She kept an awful secret from Rogue and the man she loved as her dad.
“He was your dad, but Bear is your biological father.”
Rogue’s mouth drops open, her eyes glassy, staring at the man who has always loved her like a daughter because she is.
“Did you know?” she chokes out, her voice breaking.
Rubbing a giant paw down his face, he says, “Not until you were ten. Someone joked that you looked like me at a party, and it got me thinking. It was too late by then. You loved your old man, and so did I. You know our life, Rogue. No good would have come from me trying to claim you as my kid.”
Silence stretches across the divide of the table so loud it pounds in my eardrums.
“What about Harley?” Rogue finally speaks, her throat raw with emotion.
“I was faithful to your dad,” her mom says with conviction. “I’m so sorry. I’ve wanted to tell you, but what good would it have done?”
“I don’t know what to do with this information.” Rogue backs away, and before I can get to my feet, she takes off running back the way we came.
“Rogue,” Bear calls out, getting to his feet.
Holding a hand out, I say, “Let her go. She needs time.”
“I don’t want her alone out here.” His mouth thins.
“She’s not alone. I’ll take care of her. Just don’t leave the country.” I raise an eyebrow and take off jogging after her, almost dying by the time I get back to the car. My ribs are on fire. My back throbs in agony.
She’s propped on the hood, her head in her hands. “Rogue, talk to me,” I urge. Placing my hands on the hood, I take a deep inhale.
“I need to get my mind straight.” She lifts her head, pain leaking from her eyes. “I fucking worshipped my dad. He was my dad.”
“And nothing will ever change that. Family isn’t made of blood. Look at us,” I remind her. “That man loved you and was a great dad, and Bear has always been there in the background loving you too. Do you know how lucky you are to get two dads?”
“Take me home?” She clears her throat, her features stilling.
“Of course.”
Folding into the driver’s seat, I wait for Rogue to put her seat belt on then pull away from the shithole. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“No. But I’m glad you were here. Can we put the radio on? I need a distraction.”
“I have one.” I flit my gaze to her then back to the road.
“Is this about Cutter coming to your room this morning? I didn’t want to ask what happened.” She sticks her nose in the air like she smells something bad.
“I didn’t fuck him.” I roll my eyes.
“Then what happened?”
“He told me he loves me.”
My mind swims at the memory, and my guts clench. I’ve been trying not to focus on it in case it all goes tits up and he backs out. I don’t think I could survive getting over him again.
“Has he ever said that to you before?” Her voice is wispy in awe.
“Not in those words.” I shrug. “He said it’s the real deal.” My hands squeeze the wheel. “He’s telling Claire.” My heart flips, emotions tightening my throat.
“Is this what you want?” she asks, reaching over and placing a hand on my shoulder.
“He’s my soul mate,” I state. “Damn, I sound like you.” I laugh to shatter the thick cloud of emotion filling the car.
“I’m happy for you.” The smile in her voice offers me relief. I know she’s not a fan of Cutter and me. But it’s my choice. He’s my choice.
I just hope he doesn’t let me down.
CHAPTER 29
BEST FRIEND’S SISTER
CUTTER
I ease my bike into a space next to an old beat-up truck at Ray’s bar and drop the kickstand. Swinging my leg off, I flex my back and yawn. The orange ball in the sky dips low, giving way to night. Callan called me half an hour ago telling me to meet him here. We haven’t been to Ray’s since killing the Larkin kid, and I was pleased to get the call.
My head has been in overdrive trying to figure out what the fuck I’m going to say to him about Kit before finally settling on asking for forgiveness, not permission. I love my best friend and VP, would die for him, but not being with Kit is killing me. I hope with everything in me this doesn’t change things between him and I, but even if it does, I’m not giving her up. I’ve never been more determined than I am now.
I survey the parking lot as I walk to the entrance, taking in the few cars—no sign of Callan’s bike. A hush falls over the room as I enter, and heads swerve in my direction. A couple old-timers are holding the bar up and a group of women at the center tables whisper among themselves. A girl I recognize as Ray’s niece smiles at me from behind the bar. “What can I get you?”