Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 69155 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 346(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69155 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 346(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
“I’m just asking you to consider it. I won’t tell Cova if you decide not to, that’s not the sort of person I am, but I really think you should tell her. Let her make the choice. Let her decide if she opens up about it or not. She’s a grown woman, and since she can remember, she’s had her choices taken from her. Let her have some back.”
Briella’s lip wobbles and she drops her head, exhaling. “You’re right, oh god, I didn’t see it before, and now I feel stupid.”
I step up to her, taking her shoulders. “Listen to me, you saved that girl. You fought to get her out of a hellish ordeal. You did the right thing, you’re protecting her in the best way you know how, I’m simply giving you something else to consider.”
Briella looks up at me and gives me a small smile. “I hope whoever hurt you is no longer in your life, because you’re a rock, Zariah. You’re the kind of person people look up to. You’re so strong.”
I step back, my hands shaking at her words.
I’m not strong, though. I’m not.
I still have Reece in my life. I still let him hurt me instead of fighting back. I am still so damned weak around him.
No, I’m not strong.
“We’re havin’ a cookout tonight, discuss everything we know. You’re welcome to stay,” Alarick tells me. “Know it would mean a lot to Briella if you did.”
“Yes,” Briella says, giving me a pleading look. “Please stay. Karen is coming, Merleigh will be here. We’d love it if you could be here too. You’re one of us now.”
Am I though?
Am I really?
Or will I always be just slightly on the outside, never quite fitting in?
I put a smile on my face and say, “I’d love to.”
I’m sure I’m making a mistake, but here I am, doing it anyway.
Because they matter to me, even if that very thought terrifies me.
9
ZARIAH
I stumble down a hall, horrified at how drunk I am.
What started as a cookout, with a fire and music, turned into me relaxing a little too much, laughing a little too hard, and drinking a little too much. I’m not to the point where I’m going to be sick, but I’m certainly not sober enough to be going anywhere on my own tonight. I planned on just staying for a little while, having a few drinks, then eating and going home.
But it was so fun, and I felt so at home, I just didn’t want to be anywhere else.
My phone rings just as I reach the toilet, so I step inside and look down to see Reece’s name flashing across the screen. Shit. Jayden calls at this time every night, I completely forgot and now he’s going to have to talk to me while I’m under the weather. I take a deep breath, in through my nose, and then out through my mouth.
I answer the phone with a calm, relaxed voice.
“Hey,” Reece says, his voice husky as if he’s relaxed in bed, nearly asleep. “Sorry Jayden didn’t call, we were watching a movie and he fell asleep next to me. Just wanted to let you know he’s alright.”
Oh, god.
The image of my beautiful baby boy curled up beside Reece makes my heart ache for the family I so desperately wanted with him. I loved him. I wanted the house and the kids and the happy life. I didn’t get any of those, and yet when I think of him with Jayden, I still get a warmth deep in my soul. I feel a certain way because he’s such a loving father, and when I see that side of him, it makes me long for something I know is never going to happen.
I shake my head.
“That’s okay, let him sleep.”
“It’s noisy, where are you?”
He’s right, even locked in the toilet, it’s noisy. These bikers know how to throw a party, and it’s safe to say they’re throwing a good one. Music, laughter, women, alcohol ... It’s all here and it’s all flowing very, very freely. Including the women.
“I’m just at a party with a friend.”
“Who?”
“A few friends from work, we just got together for a few drinks. How was your day?”
I try the distraction method, mostly because if I don’t, he’ll keep pushing and it’ll get out of hand. Sometimes it works, other times he just looks right over it and keeps asking. Tonight, thankfully, he seems tired enough that he lets it go. “It was a long day. Jayden was whiny tonight. I think he’s getting some more teeth.”
There goes my stupid heart flutter again.
Reece isn’t a good man, Zariah.
He isn’t.
“Aw, my poor darling.”
“So, I’ll drop him back to you on Monday?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. What are you doing tomorrow? I’d like the chance to talk to you. After the other night ... I want to apologize, Zariah. I know I have a problem and I’m currently on some medication and working with a therapist. It doesn’t change what I’ve done to you in the past, but I’ll do anything to get you back. To prove to you I’m different.”