Page 3 of Broken

I used to be good at school. So, maybe I could learn, but I’m not sure how you go about researching this particular topic. Besides, the only thing I do know is that love is not for me—unless you count the love I have and will give my son or daughter. Anyway, I’m going to keep saving until I have the baby. I’m hoping the mechanic is able to fix my car. If not, Diesel and Crusher told me they’d help me pick out one that won’t die halfway to my destination. I didn’t tell them where I was planning on relocating, but Dani and Nicole know. I figured they spilled the beans—especially since Crusher is Dani’s old man.

With a sigh, I decide to call Lottie. The diner closed early today because of a water pipe break. I busied myself cleaning the place up and then walked to Walmart to get prices on travel cribs and such. I wanted to get my baby a regular crib, but decided against it. I figure until I move, a pack and play type thing would be best. I found one I like. It even has a thing you hang on the side to hold diapers. The crib part is also adjustable. I could use it until I get set up in Denver. I’m hoping I can give Lottie or Iris the money and have her pick it up for me tomorrow. I’ll feel better with at least one thing settled. Besides, it is a bright yellow with large green and brown circles decorating it. It will work for a boy or a girl.

I haven’t asked the doctor what I’m having. Until recently, it was because I was in denial and ignoring the fact there was a life growing inside of me. It was a child born of heinous circumstances, but despite that, it is an innocent soul, and it needed me. No one ever had before. I wasn’t going to let him or her down. Now I haven’t asked, because I like not knowing. I want to be surprised. It’s been a long time since I’ve had surprises—at least good ones—and I find that I want it. This baby and me, we’re going to be a team. I’ll do anything to make sure our future together is happy for him or her.

I am dialing my phone when I see Lottie’s jeep pulling into the parking lot. She hates driving anything but her bike that Diesel bought her. I know she brought the jeep because of me and my little jellybean. I rub my stomach. I don’t look that far along. I have worried about that, but the doctor assures me the baby is fine. She says I’m one of the blessed moms who carry weight well and don’t start showing completely until the last couple of months. I think it has more to do with the fact that I’ve been sick as a dog with morning sickness—that seemed to last all day long. Food has held little interest for me because of it. I drink healthy shakes to supplement and force myself to eathealthy, but there are days that some of it refuses to stay down. I’m personally glad I don’t look to be as far along as I am. Soon, I’ll tell my parents, and they’ll believe the pregnancy is recent and I’ll let them believe that.

Hell, I’ll even pray they believe it.

“Hop in chick. Sorry I’m late. The SS crew had a small situation.”

I nod, but don’t say anything. I don’t want to know and if she told me, then she would take that to mean I was going to join—which I’m not.

I’m moving to Denver.

Chapter 2

King

My ass wason the bench of an old, painted red bench. My back was leaned back against the matching picnic table. A worn, but usable, red umbrella shielding me from the burning sun above my head. I had a beer on the table beside me, but I’d long since forgotten about it. My mind was busy, and it was in places it probably shouldn’t be.

Gabriella.

I smiled as I thought of that name. It fits her much better than the shortened version everyone calls her. She’s too complicated for a simple name. I knew that from the first moment I met her. Of course, back then, after hearing T talk about her, I thought all that complication was bad—down to the core. Getting to know Gabby, I see it differently now. I’m no expert when it comes to people, but I’ve lived inside hell enough to know one thing. Everyone on the face of God’s green earth has a blackness inside of them. A substance so dark that light can’t enter. You can feed this monster inside you or starve it until it slowly wastes away. That’s it. That’s what I know. One more thing that I’ve learned just recently—and pretty brutally—is that the most beautiful person on the outside can hide that darknessin her smile and in her words. It's a hell of a lesson to take away from a short marriage, but it’s there just the same.

In some ways, Gabby and I are a lot alike. Both of us were desperate for a life that, for our own reasons, we didn’t think we deserved. The only difference is Gabby allowed that desperation to turn her into someone she didn’t like—thatno oneliked. Me? I didn’t go that far, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized I let Shelby push me until I made changes I didn’t like—offers I didn’t want to make. Hell, I was willing to change my lifestyle and leave the club. Luckily, she threw that offer in my face. I guess having an old man in a uniform trumped having a grease monkey working at a garage. Fuck, most days I walk around in a haze trying to figure out how she fooled me so completely. More and more, I find myself just damned glad that I escaped.

“I thought you were going back to North Carolina or Virginia? I can’t keep up.”

I look up at Dragon and shrug. “Diesel said you were grilling out tonight. Thought I’d try my chances. See if you are going to poison me or not.”

“Asshole.”

“It’s my blood,” I say dryly.

Dragon throws his head back with laughter, shaking his head. “You’ve been around Ford too long.”

“He’s a good man.”

“He is, but if you tell him I said that I’ll deny everything.”

“You’re safe,” I respond once he cuts the laughter and sits down on the table, looking down at me.

“Going to tell me the real reason you’re here?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I mutter. “I can leave if you don’t want me here.”

“Don’t be an asshole. I’d give my left nut to see your ass in a Savage MC cut—even if it is the wrong chapter.”

“For fuck’s sake, never talk to me about your nuts.”

Dragon flips me off and shakes his head. “I can’t pretend I understand,” he says with a sigh after a few moments of silence.

“What do you mean?”

“Somehow, all three of my boys seem to have been drawn to Gabby. I don’t get it. She’s pretty, but what kind of power does that woman have that draws men to her?”

Immediately, my body tightens. “Shut up, Dragon. You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.”

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