Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
“Gabby!” My head jerks as I hear Nicole call out. When I look, I see the woman I’ve thought about the last few months. I’ve wondered how she’s been. What I didn’t expect was to see her here today.
“Hey, Nicole,” she says softly, walking over to her. She hugs her. I look back at Dragon. “What’s she doing here?”
“It’s her story to tell. Things haven’t been so great for her. Dani and Nicole have been helping her. No one outside of this club and us know she’s here, so don’t let it out. I haven’t even told my boys. They have issues with Gabby. It’s understandable. I did too, but time changes things and everyone deserves a second chance if they earn it.”
I frown. He doesn’t have to defend Gabby to me. The last time we spoke, I wanted to deck Dom and T for the way they were with her. I know they had reason, but the woman has been through hell and had just lost her brother. There’s a time for that shit and that wasn’t it.
I stand up and walk over to Gabby. I want to check on her. She was way too fragile and not taking care of herself the last time I saw her. I see the surprise on her face the minute she sees me. Then, it almost changes to complete fear. It’s a strange reaction considering we are friends—at least I thought we were. I think Shelby is proof that I don’t have the best judgment about what women feel or think.
“Gabby?”
She forces a smile on her face. “Hey, King.”
I want to know why she’s treating me like a stranger. To be honest, it bothers me a bit. “I didn’t know you were in Tennessee,” I tell her lamely.
“Yeah, for a few months now. Nicole and Dani are helping me start over,” she says.
“Which reminds me,” Nicole says. “I brought a truckload of stuff for you. Kayden redid the baby’s room, and I told her I knew someone that could use all the stuff she was getting rid of.”
“Oh wow, thanks, Nic. I started work, but until I get my feet under me, things are going to be tight. I think I found a nice house to rent in town. It’s small but has a decent yard. I told them I’d drop off the security deposit on Friday. That’s when I get paid.”
“Let me give it to you,” Nicole says, but Gabby shakes her head no. “Nah, Crusher and Dani already tried. I’m doing this on my own.”
As I listen to them talk, I look down and sure enough, Gabby’s stomach is distended slightly.
“You’re pregnant?” I ask before I can stop myself. I feel Nicole’s eyes on me, and I can feel the moment Dragon and Diesel come up behind me, too.
“Gabby! Let’s go. We’re going to be late.” Her head turns toward the garage area, and she smiles.
“Okay, Lottie! Give me a second.” She turns back around after yelling at the other girl and looks at me. “I’m sorry, I’ve got to go. My car is in the shop in town and she’s my ride to work. King, it really was good seeing you again,” she says. She nods at Dragon and then hugs Nicole quickly. “You’re staying, right? I can look at the stuff tonight if that’s okay.”
“That’s fine. You go before you’re late.”
Gabby nods, then jogs over toward the girl that’s standing by an old, beat-up Ford Mustang. I just stand there in shock.
Gabby’s pregnant.
Then dread fills me as I imagine who the father could be. Fuck.
Chapter 1
Gabby
I sit back on the hard bench outside of the diner that I work at with a sigh. It has been a long day. The last thing I needed was for Lottie to be late. I look around the small street and smile. I’ve been in Tennessee for a few months and it’s the one thing in my life that I don’t regret. Sure, I miss Kentucky. Still, I had burned my bridges there. My father can’t stand to look at me and Mom’s so broken …
I know she doesn’t blame me for Diego’s death—not like Dad does. There’s no disgust when she looks at me. Still, I know that it’s hard for her to live with the fact that he’s gone and I’m the reason he was killed. I didn’t want to be a daily reminder for her, but I was kind of stuck there while I tried to piece my own life back together. In truth, I think I was afraid to leave the only home I’d ever known. I learned the hard way that it wasn’t safe away from home. I’d never been scared in my life before I was attacked. Now, fear is a constant companion that chokes me most of the time.