Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19107 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 96(@200wpm)___ 76(@250wpm)___ 64(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19107 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 96(@200wpm)___ 76(@250wpm)___ 64(@300wpm)
My older sibling pushed club members out of the way as he stepped out from the back, a case of beer in his arms and shock on his face.
“Holy fucking shit. Kelsie? You’re really here?” He set the crate of beer down and gestured for a prospect to unload it. Carter walked around the bar and stood a foot from me, eyeing me up and down like he seriously couldn’t believe I was here.
His brows furrowing, his lips twisted as happiness broke through his rough and vicious exterior. He took another step forward, towering over me like the overprotective bastard he’d always been. And then he pulled me into a big bear hug, his arms thick and strong and wrapped around me like he thought I’d vanish.
I glanced at Knox around Carter’s arm, seeing him watching intently.
“Shit, it’s good to see you, little sis.” He squeezed me tighter, and I wheezed as his strength pushed the air from my lungs. I broke away and laughed.
“Nice to see you too, Carter,” I muttered with a grin, shifting my bag higher on my shoulder.
Confusion crossed his face. “I’m damn glad you’re here, so don’t get that twisted, but… you’re supposed to be hundreds of miles away. What the hell are you doing here?”
I let out a short laugh.
“Like, you’re supposed to be living a normal life,” he added.
I shrugged, still feeling Knox watching me, but I refused to look at him, because it unnerved me. It made me feel too many things.
“Well, I guess normal isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.” My attempt at humor fell flat, and Carter picked up on it.
His jaw ticked as if urging me to explain why I was leaving behind everything I’d built over the past few years. But before I could open my mouth, Knox’s voice cut in sharply.
“She’s staying.”
Carter and I turned just in time to see him push off from the bar, each movement slow, deliberate, and controlled. Knox had that same quiet dominance about him that I remembered, the kind that made everyone around take notice.
And it always made my pulse race in ways I wished it wouldn’t.
Carter glared at Knox before looking back at me. “You can stay at my place—”
I shook my head, cutting him off. “The clubhouse is fine. It’s safe, and I’m tired.”
Carter and Knox seemed like they wanted to argue, but my resting bitch face had them keeping their mouths shut. I’d grown up in the motorcycle club world. I could handle myself. But also, no one would fuck with me in the first place, and they knew that.
Carter nodded, took my bag, and guided me through the corridors of the clubhouse, leading me to one of the empty rooms. It would be a small sanctuary away from the chaos just feet away.
He pushed open the door and let me enter first, and when he stepped in behind me, I immediately felt his protectiveness filling the space. He set my bag on the made bed and stood there watching me.
“You hungry?”
I shook my head. “No. I’m just exhausted.”
He stared at me again and grunted a response. But the look he fixed me with was one that said we’d soon talk about why I left. “Okay, well, get some rest. We’ll sort out your reasons for leaving later, Kels, when you’re ready,” he promised, his tone soft yet commanding.
I sighed, admitting softly, “I know. We will.” I rubbed my eyes before looking at my brother again. “I need to find work,” I blurted out, not wanting to admit I used the last of my money to get here.
Carter’s brows furrowed. Yeah, he really wanted me to talk about what was going on, but he sighed and said, “You can work the bar at the club. We only have rookies here—and believe me, they suck.” His words carried the weight of irritation, and I laughed softly.
“I can do that.” I remembered helping behind the bar when I was younger. Back then, it had been so fun. Now, it would be about making money to survive.
He gave me a nod, one more hug, then left me to settle in. But the quiet of the room was soon broken by Knox leaning against the doorframe. He still had that same alpha energy surrounding him—the same one that I’d fallen in love with.
I was too tired to hash out the past, but he surprised the hell out of me by pushing away from the entrance and walking up to me. I held my breath when he reached out and took my hand with a possessive tenderness that made my heart twist. It made me… remember so much.
“You’re safe here, Kelsie,” he murmured, his eyes dark with unspoken feelings.
In that moment, I sensed the hurt he kept hidden—his pride wounded by my choices. But his loyalty was unyielding.