Page 106 of Beautifully Reckless

As they park their rides, the thunder of engines slowly lessens as one by one, they shut them down and start pulling off their helmets.

“Here’s the lucky couple!” Smitty yells and cheers ring out from the men un-straddling their motorcycles.

Even though I’m smiling, I’m reeling, because what the hell is happening?

I knew the club was coming today, but everyone seems a little too cheery, like they are here to celebrate something.

“What’s going on?” I ask loud enough for Ringo and JD to hear, and it’s JD that looks mortified when he glances my way, before he shoots a glare Ringo’s way.

“You didn’t fucking tell her?”

“Tell me what?” I snap, and Ringo groans, tipping his head back to stare up at the sky as club members close in around us.

“Fuck, man.” JD shoulders past Ringo, walking straight into the fold of club brothers where he disappears into a swarm of man hugs and back slaps.

I open my mouth to ask Ringo for answers, but Smitty steps in, shaking Ringo’s hand, his dog getting wheeled to his side in a pram… what the?

A new level of confusion hits me when I take in Molly’s bandaged leg and body, and when I meet Celina’s eyes, standing behind the pram, she smiles, like there’s nothing wrong.

What happened to Molly?

“Beautiful Abbey.” Smitty’s rough voice drags my attention away from his dog, and I blink up at him. “Or would you prefer we still call you Charity?”

I roll my eyes. “Abbey. Please. I killed Charity. She’s dead.”

Throwing his head back, Smitty laughs, directing his attention to Ringo.

“I forgot how sassy this one can be.”

“Hmmm.” Ringo’s lips thin, but then he shoots me a wink.

Smitty grins. “We’re all so happy to share today with you.”

I frown. “What’s happening today?”

Smitty blinks in confusion before turning to Ringo. “What am I missing?”

Ringo sighs.

“There’s been a little… uhh… miscommunication.”

Now my frown just plain hurts, and then the edge in Smitty’s voice has me stiffening.

“You know the fucking options, Ringo.”

“Yeah, Idoknow the fucking options. Just give me a fucking minute. I need to speak with Abbey.”

Myheart races, a lead weight of dread settling in the pit of my gut as my mind whirls.

What the hell is going on?

It’s then that the crowd parts, and a familiar face comes into view.

One I’d be happy toneversee again.

I don’t know what comes over me, but I move before I can think better of it and shove through Ringo and Smitty, barging past club members, and storming straight towards the woman who has had it in for me from day one.

Wendy’s smirk is lined with a familiar smugness that instantly has my shackles up, and she crosses her arms over her chest, popping her hip as she watches me approach like everything about me is amusing.

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