Page 79 of Property of Legend

“What?”

“You heard me,” he says, cruel and cold.“He opened his eyes early this morning.And you weren’t here.You were too busy being some biker’s property.”

I don’t even answer.

I run.

Up the stairs two at a time, slamming the door to my bedroom behind me and locking it.My breath saws in and out of my lungs like I just finished a cross-country race on foot.

Dad’s awake.I can’t let him see me like this.Stripping like my clothes are on fire, I jump in the shower.

I’m still that girl staring out the window, wishing I could run in both directions at once, toward Legend, toward the life I want, and toward the legacy I was born into.

But right now, I can’t think about pink, rhinestone panties.All I want is to see my dad.

Chapter 45

Legend

Sophie don’t come back.

She don’t call.Don’t text.Nothing.

I wait.One day.Two.She ain't ghostin’ me, she’s buryin’ me.

And the fucked-up part?I didn’t do a goddamn thing wrong.

Them panties weren’t mine.Weren’t hers either.Becki left ’em there on purpose.I know it like I know the feel of Sophie’s skin under my hands.Becki meant to blow the whole damn thing up.

But I ain’t chasin’ Sophie.She ruined that by showing her ass to the club, literally.I’m the Prez, and my woman better come back to me on her knees.

I already did the stupid noble bullshit, gave her up once to keep her safe.I got nothing left to prove.Hell, cops already warned us to keep our patch-wearing asses away from Paradise Falls.I’m still under the fuckin’ microscope for her kidnapping.Like I’d sell her out to some cartel scum.Like I could ever let someone hurt her.

So, I do what I do.

Run Hell.

Ride out with the boys, like old times, and it feels good.The breeze in my hair.The rumble of the road under me.I shake down a supplier skimming off the top.Meet with a local judge who owes the Kings favors.Help Lex haul crates for the food bank, try to feel useful.Try to feel anything but hollow.

But my bed still smells like her.

Next morning, I’m halfway through a cigarette and a bottle of bourbon when I can’t take it anymore.I toss the glass across the fuckin’ room.Don’t even flinch when it shatters.I had her.I fuckin’ had her.And now?

Now I got jack shit.

So, I ride some more.

I burn through the back roads like the wind’ll take the pain with it.Then I circle around and head right next door.Pull up at Paradise Falls, already braced for trouble.Got my cut on, gun loaded, heart open and bleeding.

James answers the door.

Of course, he fuckin’ does.

Dressed to the nines already, he looks me up and down like I’m dog shit tracked across their silk rug.“You shouldn’t be here.”

“Not here for you,” I grunt.

“Sophie doesn’t want to see you.Told me herself.”

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