Page 20 of Sex & Cigarettes

I left Coralie to sleep in while I drag my ass downstairs to find some coffee to wake me up and find someone with a cigarette. I smoked my last one after fucking her to sleep. I didn’t sleep a wink. Abel’s troubles may be over but mine are far from it. They are only just beginning. Told Coralie I wanted her to come with me. What the fuck was I thinking? Got her all twisted up in my dark shit. She stabbed a man in the throat. Watched me get head from that bitch. Put her mouth on another man for me. I know she’s a down ass bitch. Do anything for me because her love runs that deep.

But a life on the run...it’s no life at all. And yet I’m selfish enough to want to keep her. That’s how I know what I had with Ainsley was an illusion. She was never meant to be mine. Neither was Texas nor the club. I’m glad Abel found his place in the world. Now it’s time for me to find mine.

Abel has a ruthlessness in his bones. He spared none of Raul’s men. Knows they would never truly be loyal and he’s right. My brother is a leader. Everything he has I thought I wanted. Being the oldest son, it was supposed to be my destiny.

I don’t know what’s meant for me. What I do know is I can’t stay here. Abel would offer me a place if I wanted but I don’t. I can’t return to Drag Creek with a price on my head.

The roar of motorcycles breaks me from my self-reflection and search for a cigarette and coffee. I step outside the clubhouse in time to see Trucker opening the gate for my old man and his men.

He parks and climbs off. I meet him halfway. His hand grips the back of my neck as he pulls me into a hug. His lips touch my forehead, and he pulls back to look at me. “Gave your mother quite a fuckin’ scare, son.” He whops me on the back of the head.

“Fuck. That hurt.”

“It was meant to.” He grins and offers me a cigarette.

My Uncle Striker, VP of the Black Rebel Riders’ MC joins us. “Glad to see you in one piece.”

“Yeah. You got here just in time. After all the action.”

“Woulda been here a helluva lot sooner but these two slow fucks had to stop to piss every ten miles and insisted on coming.” My father hooks a thumb over his shoulder.

I glance past him and immediately chuckle. I roll my bottom lip inward and shake my head as he offers me a light for that cigarette. Should’ve known. Riding through the gate comes Romeo on his new Harley, BRRMC flag dancing in the wind behind him with Grim wearing a helmet and goggles as passenger in the fucking sidecar that’s been attached. “Jesus,” I mutter. “Is that even legal for them two coots to be let out on the road? Fuck.” Grim looks dumb as hell and about three times too big to even fit.

“Try fucking riding all this way having to babysit the cocksuckers. Nothing but a pain in my ass.” My old man flips them off as they park.

Trucker closes the gate and we all head inside.

Goldie and a few sweet asses are milling about with trays of beer. I grab a bottle. Coffee can wait. I take a seat at one of the booths with my father and my uncle. Grim and Romeo are already up to no good and shit talking Abel’s men.

“Can’t take them nowhere,” Striker says, and he ain’t wrong.

“I have a feeling that’s gonna be you two in about fifteen years.”

“Yeah, then it’ll be you and Abel.”

“Shit.”

“Where is your brother?”

“Home with the baby and the misses. I’m sure he’ll be around before long.”

Ainsley

“You gonna be okay while I’m gone?”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Goldie is on her way and if you don’t have an objection to it, she’s bringing Coralie.”

“That’s fine. I mean, she’s practically family, right? Her and Axel...”

“Yeah.” Abel leans in to give me a kiss. “I’m gonna take the dog out, then get ready to go. Besides the girls I’ve got the security system app on my phone so I can check in with you and there are three of my men on the property.”

“I’m not worried. I won’t live my life ruled by fear. We’ve been through too much.”

“All right. I get it. You’re a strong, capable, bad ass momma bear.”

“That’s right, and you’ll do good to remember that if you get on my bad side.” I smirk.

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