Page 29 of Tech

Carol's eyes are wide in shock, but I don't care. She set me up to hurt me. There's a reason why I don't come to the club, and she's it.

I look at Eagle, who frowns, seeing the unshed tears in my eyes. I snap, "I called her a heartless bitch." I hear a few gasps and chairs scraping against the floor, but I ignore them. I state, "What else would she be since she just intentionally sent me to your son's room knowing he was in there kissing some girl."

Eagle's eyes widen, his mouth hanging open in shock, and I shake my head and whisper, "I'm done. Come on, Ollie."

Ollie squeezes my hand and allows me to walk him out of the club. I can feel several pairs of eyes on my back.

I blink rapidly, trying to control the tears as I open the truck door for Ollie. He slides into the middle of the bench, and as I climb in and slam the door shut, the first tear falls.

Sniffling, I angrily wipe away the tear and start my tuck before my eyes make contact with Sniper’s. He furrows his brows, looking concerned for me, but I just shake my head and pull out of my space. The prospect at the gate allows me out, and I vow never to let anyone in again.

I drop Ollie off ten minutes later. After explaining to my dad what happened, I head to the barn and saddle Coco, my sister's chocolate mare, then gallop down the fields, hoping the ride will help clear my head, ignoring the several missed calls on my phone.

"James, stop, I give, I give, you win," I giggle as his arms wrap around me from behind, his muscular chest pressing against my back, his lips going to my neck. I can feel his smile, his breath on my skin, sending tingles down my spine.

He rasps, "I love how ticklish you are, but to be fair, Angel, you're the one who threw the flour first."

I giggle, turning my head with a grin, causing him to lift his head from my neck. He grins back, then leans forward, catching my lips. I bring my flour-covered hand up and grip his jaw as he deepens the kiss, and everything melts away.

I blink, the tears falling hard as I climb off Coco. I walk in front of her, looking over the view of the town. You can see everything from the cliffs, and as the sun starts to set, everything looks magical, yet I feel like I'm dying.

Coco nudges my arm with her nose, and I let out a sob, turning around and placing my head against hers. My body shakes with each breath out I take, the pain killing me, my sobs wracking my body.

"Baby?" Momma says in a whisper, and I lift my head to see her climbing off Chunk, her horse.

I shake my head at her, my sobs taking over, and she runs over to me, taking me into her arms, whispering how it isn't what it seems, begging me not to give up on him, on what we have.

But how can I not? This is the feeling I couldn't understand; people putting themselves through all this pain for love.

I feel like I can't breathe.

An hour later, I'm lying on my bedroom floor, the property cut he gave me yesterday clutched in my hands, my tears coating my cheeks, when my phone beeps. Reluctantly, I grab it. I check the message, and my tears fall hard and fast.

It doesn't matter if he kissed her back or not; this pain is not worth trying with someone when their family is against us.

My Love: Angel, please answer my calls. You know I didn't kiss her; I wouldn't do that to you. I love you, baby, please. I know you're going to Cali tomorrow, but please don't shut me out.

He's too late, because I can already feel my heart closing, my walls building.

9

Tech – A Week Later

I grunt, smashing my fist into the bag as Breaker watches me with concern.

Left, right, elbow, right, kick.

"Brother, this whole watching thing is starting to get creepy," I grumble.

He hums, leaning against the ropes as I punch the bag harder.

Left, right, left, right, kick, left, right, kick.

"Brother," he starts, but I shake my head, grabbing the bag, squeezing it to me, and I try to breathe, everything slamming into me at once.

"Smokey has lost his memory. He doesn't remember his woman or sweet April who calls him daddy, and my girl has ignored me all fucking week," I rasp, guilt cloaking me.

Olivia was kidnapped and taken to Smokey's house by a clubwhore, Cherrie, and his ex-wife Kallie. They fucking tied her to a chair and tortured her. Smokey found her when he went home to try and breathe for a second, only to be knocked out.

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