Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 52639 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 211(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52639 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 211(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
One thing I learned when shit hit the fan last year, women are treasured to the Hellions. Outlaw bikers or not, they have a code and a level of respect for women I have never experienced before. They may be brash in their language and actions, but not one of them has ever stepped out of line with a female. At lease not to my knowledge.
I don’t have a lot of experience as ol’ lady stuff goes. I only know what Wes had told me and shown me. His actions speak as much as his words. He’s always been gentle with me. Thoughtful. And words, well, the man took his time truly getting to know me.
“Sure thing,” Anna says keeping the door closed.
Quickly going back to the front, I open the door to Dia looking like the angel she is and Maritza looking distraught. What is going on? Now I wish I answered Wesson’s calls earlier and had more time to discuss everything with him. Right now, I feel like I’m completely in the dark and there is definitely something not okay going on.
“Come in,” I invite unsure what I should say.
“Thank you,” Dia replies as they step into my room. She looks back to Maritza who follows with her eyes glued to her phone. “We’re um,” Dia pauses, “sorry to bother you.”
“It’s no bother,” I lie. It’s a huge problem. I am not supposed to be in Florida. My last call to Diem, I was heading to Tennessee for a Hippie festival. Dia is loyal to a fault. She will tell Diem she saw me and where I’m at. In all of this mess I’ve gotten myself into the very last person I ever wanted to hurt was Diem. When she finds out I’ve been lying to her, I don’t know if our friendship can withstand it.
We have been through everything together. I should have told her what happened. I didn’t because I wanted to keep her safe. A lot of good it did. It’s all coming crashing around me now. How can I make her understand?
“It says he’s here,” Maritza whispers. “I don’t understand why it’s saying here. Maybe a different room? But he sent the number seven. Maybe it was supposed to be seventeen.” She seems to be talking more to herself than to me or Dia.
“I don’t understand. Why are you two here?”
I can’t believe neither of them have asked me why I’m here. Clearly something is on their minds. Dia is blunt and not one to hold back … ever. Yet, I haven’t been asked about anything concerning my absence from Haywood’s Landing. Has Wes moved on? Is that why they aren’t pressing me with questions? If so, their presence in my hideaway is even more confusing.
Maritza looks to me with tears filling her eyes. “Hollis and I have a code.” She shakes her head. “Never mind, I shouldn’t have come. I’m sorry we bothered you, Emmalee.”
“Zizi,” comes from the bathroom.
It’s Hollis. Shit.
Fuck me. Why didn’t I put it together sooner? I’ve been so wrapped up in hiding my own secrets I didn’t think about who was right in front of my fucking face.
Maritza’s eyes light up as she looks to the bathroom.
“He’s here? How? Where is Anna?” She asks me making her way back to the bathroom door. “I’m here buddy.” She tries to stop the hiccup of her crying.
“The fuck you are,” Anna yells opening the door and ushering Hollis out with a gun to his head.
His eyes are as big as saucers and Maritza lets out a scream.
“Oh my God, what is wrong with you?” I yell out locking eyes with a little boy scared out of his mind with tears going down his face.
“You three, sit the fuck down,” Anna orders and we all oblige. She clearly has all the power since she’s holding the gun.
There is too much at risk not to listen.
“What is going on?” I ask because I don’t know this woman before today. I’ve heard of Hollis being Karma’s son, but I’ve never actually met the kid. When Anna told me his name, I had no clue her Hollis was Maritza’s Hollis. Maritza is always going to a baseball game or a school function for the boy. Hell, most of the Hellions rally around to go to his games and awards. I’ve been invited but between recovery from being shot and then needing to get the Hell out of Dodge I haven’t made it to one.
“This isn’t how it’s supposed to be,” she states, and I can only nod. “Why are you here, Maritza?” She asks with a snarl.
Maritza looks directly at Hollis trying to calm the boy. “I have a system for Hollis. Our code. If he needs me, he sends me the word. No questions asked, I use our app chat to pin his location and come to him.”