Page 2 of Crusher

“You doing okay, brother, had a bomb droppedon you?” Speed nodded and put his arm around Sami, drawing herclose.

“Yeah, I’m good, brother. Carly should’vestayed and talked with me, no way could she think I knew about herbeing related to me and kept quiet about it. And I got questions ofmy own, like what the hell Stone thought he would gain contactingCutter. On another note, Carly was lucky, it looks like Claricefound a home there at Haven, and stayed with one of her kids. Stilldoesn’t answer why he’d want to talk with Cutter over a deaddruggy, even if Cutter and he both had been involved with her.Makes no sense.” Speed furrowed his brows.

“Kane, I’m not sure Carly would agree withthat,” Sami said and looked between the both of us.

“What is that supposed to mean, Sami?” Speedlooked down at Sami.

“I’m not sure what all happened, Speed. Carlywas never one to talk about her home life.”

“Why the hell not?” I asked.

“Figure it out, Crusher. Her parents weredrug users, Clarice was an addict, although Stone was a sometimesuser, he stuck more with booze. We don’t get to choose our parentsso we shouldn’t have to pay for their crimes but I have a feelingCarly feels guilty because of Stone’s betrayal to the club.” Samileaned her head on Speed’s shoulder.

“That’s bullshit. Is that where some of herintolerance for MCs comes from? Her fucked up parents are not thestandard in clubs, she should have known that from the othermembers at Haven.”

“Crusher, I don’t know why she feels thatway, it hadn’t always been like that with her. When we moved here,she had already been talking about building a life that didn’tinclude any part of an MC. I wish I knew more but I don’t, shewouldn’t talk about it other than to say that her experience hadn’tbeen like mine,” Sami said and Speed pulled her tighter to him.

“Could that be why she took off when shefound out I was her half-brother?” Speed asked. “I’m club and shedoesn’t want that anymore?”

“Not sure, but we need to figure this out.Did you speak with Stroker while I was gone?” Speed shook his headno. “Might as well wait now, he and the others are due back latetonight. We can get with them in the morning, show them the noteand see what they might remember from that time. Until we speakwith Carly, I guess we wait. Did you get everything unloaded intothe house?”

“Yeah, Devil, and Flirt went to turn in thetruck. Jag and Coast walked over to Shakes and Dare’s place toretrieve Ally for us.”

“Well, if you don’t need me to help withanything else, I think I’m going to head to the house, shower, getsomething to eat, and hit the bed. Call me if you hear from Carly,I’d like to know she’s alright.” I turned to head back to mybike.

“Crusher?” I looked back at Speed when myname was called. “Why you so interested in Carly’s wellbeing?” Samielbowed him and he looked down at her, “What? It’s a good question,he runs out after her, worried about where she’s gone, thensearched for her. He acts like he’s fuc—” Sami cut Speed off beforehe could finish.

“Kane Weston, do not finish that sentence.And stop interrogating Crusher, what’s between them is theirbusiness.”

“Sami, you know something I don’t?” Speedglared at her.

“Ugh, you are unbelievable. I’m going in tofix something to eat, Ally will be back soon.” Sami turned andwalked into the house. I straddled the bike and revved it, pullingSpeed’s attention from watching his woman’s ass as she disappearedfrom sight.

“Hey, I’m not done talking with you! Youdidn’t answer my question!” he yelled over the sound of the bike. Ipointed the bike in my house’s direction.

“Sure didn’t,” I yelled as I rode past to myhouse, which really didn’t sit that far away from Speed’s.

“Asshole!” Speed yelled no sooner than Istopped my bike in front of my house. I flipped him off and walkedin.It was probably going to be one long ass sleeplessnight, I thought as I kicked the door shut behind me.

ChapterOne

Carly

The ride had been long and boring by myselfbut the wind and open road had cleared my head, it always did.Learning to ride was one of the few enjoyments of MC life that Ihad had. I’d bought my first new bike when I was hired as deputy.It wasn’t one of the decked out bikes, but my Softail Slim fit menicely and the monthly payment was low enough that I could stillafford to eat, between rent, and utilities. My truck wascomplements of Wild Bill, his excuse was I needed a vehicle to getback and forth from college. I know he felt obligated because ofsending Sami and I to Black Hawk territory but it didn’t make mefeel good since my dad had been the reason he had to do it.

The note had shocked me, but should I haveridden off like I did? No, it had been a rash, dumb move. When I’dchecked the pocket of the leather jacket, found the paper andunfolded it to see what it was—my world had shifted a little andI’d panicked when I’d seen who’d written it, more so than what itrevealed. I could remember every word on it.

Cutter,

Meet me in town, I have info on somethingthat belongs to Black Hawk you might want. You help me out, maybeI’ll let you know what it is. If nothing else, we can compare noteson Clarice. You got stuck with the son and I got stuck with thedaughter.

I’ll be waiting for you,

Stone

Halfway through the trip I stopped feelingsorry for myself about having two parents who, if I was lucky,forgot they even had a child. Then I thought of Speed and how ifI’d known or he had known, would we have had any contact. All thedays I’d sat in my room in that crappy trailer and wished I had asibling to play with, someone to talk to.

Sami had been my solace growing up. And eventhough I never shared the things I witnessed in my house or dealtwith, I always felt she’d understood anyway. As we got older, moreand more she invited me to stay at her house. I’d mourned more whenher mother died than I had my own. Wild Bill was president ofHaven, but he seemed to have more time for his family than Stonewho was VP had for his. Never once did Sami’s parents treat me asanything other than part of their family. Their house was actuallywhere I learned how family was supposed to interact. Even Reedtreated me like another sister.

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