Ava sat with Umberto resting against her stomach. She lay on her side, watching her friend. Harlow had already made her excuses to leave. Raven’s bad mood had gotten to her, and she’d headed off somewhere.
“You find this funny?”
“Who wouldn’t?”
Ava ran fingers through her hair. It had started to grow out again. She had thought about having it cut, but Smokey loved the length.
Speaking of her husband, she glanced over to see him talking with Carlos. The mafia man seemed to be spending a lot more time in town, which pissed Smokey off.
Raven didn’t look toward him, and Ava wondered if the other woman even realized she had an admirer.
Smokey shook Carlos’s hand and then made his way to their picnic mat. He sat next to Ava’s head and she rested on his thigh.
He stroked his fingers through her hair.
“You’re looking pretty, Raven.”
She glared at Smokey, got to her feet, and stormed off.
“You did that on purpose?”
“What? I said just the right thing that would piss her off and make her walk off? I didn’t mean to.”
“You’re lying.” Ava sat up, putting a hand on Umberto’s stomach.
Smokey reached out, stroking his son’s head.
The club surrounded them, and she felt at peace just by being near them. In the last few months, she’d gotten over her anxiety when it came to stepping foot into the club. She spent a great deal of time there.
The memories, no matter how painful, were all in the past, and she was determined to move on.
Raven struggled.
Smokey had told her many times how she woke up the clubhouse screaming. Sometimes, Ava was there and she’d go to her, offering her comfort.
“What were you and Carlos talking about?” Ava asked.
“He’s purchased a house in town.”
“He has?”
“Yes.”
“And you’re happy with that?”
“I’m not happy with any of it. I don’t want him near Raven nor in town. One problem at a time.”
“Have you heard who has replaced Creed?” she asked. That name left a bitter taste in her mouth.
“No. They’re still arguing for leadership. I’ll deal with whatever comes. You know me. No more talk of shop or business.” He pulled her close, resting his face against her neck. “Where do you want to go on your honeymoon?”
“I thought we couldn’t go.”
“I’ve already organized it. Hunter can handle things. If things fuck up, I’m a phone call away. Harlow can handle everything at the bakery. I want to take you and Umberto somewhere.”
Ava smiled as she glanced behind her. “I only ever want to be where you are. You pick a place, and I know I’ll love it.”
Smokey gripped the back of her neck and slammed his lips down on hers.
She had finally found what she’d longed for.
Her soulmate.
The End
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EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING ®
BONUS SAMPLE CHAPTER
THE BIKER’S DIRTY
LITTLE SECRET
Straight to Hell MC, 2
Sam Crescent and Stacey Espino
Copyright © 2021
Sample Chapter
Heat radiated off the asphalt, the late afternoon sun unrelenting for the fourth day in a row. Brick craved to take his Harley out for a long ride, to feel the cool breeze against his heated flesh. But no, he’d be taking the pick-up truck with no AC into town. Lord’s old lady wanted to start raising laying hens at the club, so he’d been assigned to get all the materials to build a coop. This was definitely the last thing he wanted to be doing today, but no one refused an order from the prez. He wasn’t sure why Lord hadn’t asked one of the prospects to do this shit. As VP of the Straight to Hell MC, he had better things to do with his time.
He pulled the whiny door closed after climbing up into the driver’s seat. The building center was just on the outskirts of town, supplying lumber and other essentials to the area. He rolled down the windows, but even the air felt stale at these temperatures.
The drive was uneventful. He couldn’t complain about much these days. There hadn’t been any club drama for months, and he hoped it would continue. He was still getting used to Ally being a permanent member of the club. The prez’s old lady made Lord a father. Things were changing. Brick wasn’t sure how he felt about it.
He missed the days when he’d run into hellfire by Lord’s side. Now his prez was taking the cautious approach because he had a family to think about, not just the club. Women made men weak—there was no way around that fact.
The building center finally came into view up the road. Brick was sweating through his t-shirt and felt like shit. He couldn’t wait to get back to the club and take a long, cold shower.
He parked in front of the main building and hopped out of the truck. Brick always wore his cut, but in weather like this, he’d gladly break his own rules. He tossed his cut on the passenger seat and tugged off his t-shirt, using it to wipe his brow.
Brick grabbed the list Ally had given him and headed into the building. After entering the lobby, he closed his eyes for a moment and just breathed. The AC felt like fucking heaven.
“Hot out there?”
He opened his eyes. A girl behind the counter stared at him.
“I can handle hot,” he said. “Whatever’s going on outside is next level.”
She giggled in response, a sweet feminine sound. He noticed her gaze roving down his body. He immediately patted himself down in response, feeling for an exposed weapon, but realized it was just because he was shirtless.
He was used to the club whores chasing after him, but this girl looked nothing like them.
“It’s terrible. I don’t have AC at home, so I’ve actually looked forward to coming into work this week. And trust me, that says a lot,” she said.
He stepped closer, leaning against the counter. People didn’t usually talk to him, especially local women. He was used to being feared. The chitchat was somehow refreshing. There was something about this chick and her classic girl-next-door looks that pulled down his walls. She wore her hair in a thick ponytail. It had to be a good two feet long.