Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 37111 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 186(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37111 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 186(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
We clung together for a while. The thought of leaving Isaac was really more than I wanted to contemplate. The relief I felt knowing he’d taken that decision out of my hands was tremendous.
“I promised you I’d fix this, baby. Just give me time and I will. Somehow, I’ll fix this.”
Over the next few days Isaac made good on his promise. He continued to put the ol’ ladies in my way, and they took me under their wings, making me feel welcomed and wanted. Every time I started to feel like a burden, one of them would ask for my help, and I suddenly felt like I was part of a huge family. Amazingly, they all took my side against Sword. Even Magenta. She, more than anyone, made me feel like I not only belonged, but was wanted. She didn’t try to treat me like she was my mother, but she made it clear that I would always be welcomed in her home whether or not Sword was there.
Then the day I’d been dreading came.
“They’re on the move.” Suzie came to me with Zora, both of them putting their arms around me, leading me inside the clubhouse. I’d been helping Magenta tend the mums she’d planted the previous month. She loved her flowers, and I was starting to understand why. Pulling out weeds and mounding mulch around the plants while spending time with the older woman was soothing, and I felt connected to her in a way I never had my own mother. She never brought up my altercation with Sword or mentioned him unless I did. When she did, she became obviously distressed, and the pain on her face was more than obvious. I could almost feel her sorrow and the way she was torn by the situation.
“Who are on the move?” I looked from Suzie to Zora in confusion.
“The Iron Tzars. They’re coming with a contingent of riders. Warlock and your mother are among them.”
“My mother?” I didn’t resist when they took me deeper into the clubhouse, into a room with computer monitors everywhere, including one massive screen taking up an entire wall.
“Yes. From what we can tell, she’s the one insisting they come after you. The communication was intentionally sent to us by Iron Tzars. I guess it was their way of giving us a heads-up. Sting went along out of respect for his father but has made it clear he’s treating this as Warlock’s last wishes in the club, granted only because he was the former president. After this, Warlock is leaving Iron Tzars for good.”
“Wow. That club was his entire life.” This was hard to take in. “It’s hard enough to believe he’s resigning as president -- which I heard with my own ears -- but for him to completely leave the club is like him turning his back on his family.”
“It’s the same here,” Zora said gently. I knew what she was getting at.
I sighed. “I hear you, Zora.”
“No one expects anything from you, Chloe. Don’t let anyone bully you into doing something you’re not comfortable with.”
“Maybe I’m just scared.” That admission when I knew I needed to be strong took something from me. But then, everyone here had been sacrificing for me since I’d arrived. If I didn’t make an effort to put things right with Sword, I’d be just as wrong as he was. I knew better than anyone how my mother could get into someone’s head. If she’d turned her attention to getting something from Sword, or getting him to do something for her, she would have been damned hard to resist. No matter what method she used.
“I understand.” That came from Suzie. “When I first came here, I was afraid of everyone. Angel and Mama were the only people other than Cliff and Daniel I trusted. Probably because I’d been with a club who’d hurt me. But the way the men were with all the women, especially the women they made ol’ ladies, taught me not all men liked to hurt. Then Stunner took to protecting me, and I felt even more safe. Let Deadeye take on that role for you. It will make anything uncomfortable much easier.”
“I think that’s the best advice I’ve had since I came here. And that’s saying something, because I’ve had some really sound advice.”
“This is a great bunch.” Magenta squeezed my shoulder. “They’ve been my best friends since I came here, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world.”
My phone buzzed in my back pocket, and I squealed, jumping at the vibration against my ass. Everyone laughed as I took it out and read the text from Isaac.
“Isaac, er, Deadeye says to stay in the control room.” I glanced up at Zora. “Did you guys tell him where we were?”
“I told Data,” Zora said. “No, actually, he told me if we found anything to get you and hole up in here, so I guess he told me what to do and I just let him know I’d followed his instructions.” We all had a good chuckle over that too. My mood had greatly improved, even though I knew something was getting ready to go down.