Page 107 of Beautifully Reckless

And maybe it is.

Maybe I look ridiculous, all five foot six of me with pink hair and a bump that looks like I’m smuggling a tiny cushion under my dress. But I don’t give a shit.

I’m angry she’s even here.

I’m angry she still has the audacity to look at me like I’m beneath her.

And I’m angry she did what she did to drive a wedge between me and Ringo.

Yeah, at the time, it had worked. I’d been devastated, but not anymore.

He came for me.

He chose to keep protecting me.

He choseme.

And now this bitch can eat shit. Because no matter what happens, she will never win the affection ofanydecent man.

“Ohfuck,” someone mutters from behind me as I shove through the last cluster of people and come to stop right in front of Wendy.

“Looks like you get the wedding after all,Charity,” she sneers. “Just don’t forget who he’ll be balls deep in when you’re stuck at home playing house.”

Something inside mesnaps.

A war cry bursts from my throat as I lunge, my hand swinging hard and fast. The slap cracks through the air, connecting clean with her cheek, and Wendy’s head whips to the side, as she stumbles, barely catching herself before turning her fury back to me.

She moves to pounce, and in a blur of movement, several bikers step in between us, two seizing Wendy with rough hands, while a solid wall of muscle shields me.

For a moment I think they are here to protect her, until one of them, Mex I think, growls.

“You even think about raising a hand to Abbey, and I’ll slit your fucking throat.”

I stumble back in shock, right into a soft chest. Spinning around in a panic, I come face to face with Jols.

“Hey, it’s just me.” She holds up her hands in peace, her smile soft and warm, and I collapse into her arms.

Anumphflies from both of us as I latch onto her, happier than I realised I’d be to see her soft blue eyes and welcoming smile, and that silky dark hair that flows halfway down her back.

“I missed you,” I whisper, and she gives me a squeeze.

I don’t quite understand the reaction I’m having. I knew Jols for a week.

She was one of Ringo’s crew that kidnapped me. But she showed me kindness and cleaned me up in that murky rest stop bathroom. She also opened up to me, sharing her heartbreaking secret, so similar to mine.

I only knew Ringo for a week too, but maybe, some souls just recognise each other.

Or maybe, my pregnancy hormones are messing with me again.

Ugh, I don’t know.

All I know is having Jols here means I have a friend.

“Shit, Abs. I missed you, too.” Jols pulls back, her blue eyes locking with mine. “I’ve been so worried. I looked for you, day and night. When Ringo had club business, Istilllooked for you.”

“You did?”

“Fuck yes I did. I’m sorry I didn’t find you sooner.”

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