I’m sure he really did mean that you could call him for anything. – CookieChance was playing go fish with four of his cousin’s daughters. Molly and he had a long talk after he had left Alana’s house. Molly gave the advice he always gave. Women will tell you what they want, you just must listen. If they have a problem, they want you to fix, they will tell you; otherwise, shut up and listen. Tell her she’s special, more importantly, why you think she’s special. A long-lasting relationship will have times when you fall out of love each other. The key is not to do it at the same time. Words are just that. Show her how you feel. Now Chance sat at a poker table playing go fish for Hershey bars. He knew better than to challenge any of the girls to pool. Or poker. He was down to two bite size snickers.Molly’s little pretties were ruthless. Chance's phone rang and he was surprised to see that it was Rye. “Hey.”“Chance?” he could hear the tears in her voice. “Priss, come play for me.
Possessions are tangible. The memories of the people are more important. – Miss BeulahRYE’S THOUGHTSAbout four months after Michael Ray died, the family moved to a small apartment. The sisters would now share a room, and everything had to be consolidated. That first move after his death was the hardest. Everything seemed to hold a memory of him. Neither girl wanted to get rid of anything. But they did.Then they moved to Savanah with an old friend of Donna Leigh’s. Even more had to be sold.Sometime while they were in Savanah, things began to disappear. His flag. The golden necklace with his ashes in a charm. The teddy bear holding a picture of Mike. Their grandmothers pearl necklace. Rye had cried herself to sleep when she couldn’t find her necklace from Okinawa. She had asked Leigh Anne about it and their mother heard. Donna Leigh had beat Rye with a belt, screaming that the world did not revolve around her.She still had a small scar on her back where the buckle had ripped open
I make man glitter; furniture is a byproduct of the process. – SticksChance drove the silver hatchback to the old warehouse district in Monroe. He parked next to the brick and glass building that backed up to the river. From this side, you could see the ridge giving the city across the river its name. The sun was setting, and the bright yellows and oranges reflected off the water. As the lights on the businesses and bars came on, these also reflected on the water. They were occasionally disturbed by a small watercraft. It was not quite warm enough for the water skis to be out. Night fishers for trout would be setting up. He remembered going out with his dad and granddad. Smiling, he thought of more recently when he and his brothers would fish off the dock behind the warehouse. They should do that again.With that thought came another. Chance could see it clearly in his mind’s eye. Standing on the back dock teaching a little boy with a gray patch of hair how to bait and cast a line.
Do you want me to stay? I can be your first house guest. – ChanceOn the way back to her house, they stopped at a local pizza place and got a large pizza with everything. Chance was glad that she did not pick off half the toppings. Instead, she enjoyed it and relaxed and even got into the movie that he put on.After the movie, and then another, Rye could barely keep her eyes open. Chance suggested that he stay the night. He even said that he would stay on the couch. Since she didn’t want to stay by herself. Rye easily agreed. He sent a quick message to his mom saying that he wouldn’t be home tonight. There was no way that he was going to tell her that he was sleeping on the couch.Now at what Chance swore was an ungodly hour for the weekend, someone was banging on the front door. Throwing off the blanket, he walked from the couch to the front door. As he passed the hallway, he heard the faint sounds of the shower. Opening the door, he found exactly who he did not want to find. Old l
The only thing that women are good for is spreading their legs. The sooner you learn that the better your life will be. – Donna LeighRye stood in the hallway and saw all the women in her house. She was fighting off a panic attack when the dark-haired woman spoke. Reality slapped her hard in the face with what the other woman said. Why was he still there? What did he want with her? He had to have plenty of women that would give him their bodies. Was the black-haired woman another of his conquests? Is that all she really was?The tears in her eyes were threatening to fall when Chance stepped into view. He looked at her and seemed to be just as hurt as she was. But then she remembered that she should have known better. The anger inside her rivaled the pain. Angry with herself just as much as she was with him, she turned on her heel and started to return to her room.He called her by the damned nickname he gave her. Facing him she reminded him that she had a name. Then she reminded he
Bring your ass over, boy. Bring breakfast. – PatchChance punched in his code to his uncle’s house to bypass the keyed lock and opened the door. He was immediately greeted by Roxy, a pit bull that was rescued from a dog fighter that Patch was rehabilitating. Her gray scarred body wiggled with excitement as she made scratchy barking noises.“Hey girl.” Chance smiled at the dog. He scratched her bouncing rump as he tried to get inside the house. “Let me in and I’ll give you a hash brown.”“Bribery will get you everywhere with that one.” Jaye said coming over to help. “Come on, Roxy." She snapped twice and the dog went and sat at the woman’s feet. The dog sat on her haunches, looking at the woman as if she hung the moon.Or at least knew where the treat jar was.Jaye was what would be considered heavy set, but Chance knew that she was in very good shape. Like many of the others on Cookie’s crew, you did not want to get into a fight with her. Chance was man enough to admit that he had los
You poor girl. There’s a good puppy under those scars. – AliciaJaye reached over and squeezed Chance’s hand as Patch put his breakfast burrito down. He brushed a few crumbs from his beard and used a napkin to wipe his face. When he had decided that Chance had enough time to formulate his thoughts, he looked at his nephew and pushed him to look deeper inside. He might only be the veterinarian for the ranch, but in the past decade, he had picked up some knowledge. “What’s the real problem, son?” Patch asked. “Tell me why you’re here. Why, after all these years, this woman has you breaking all your rules.”Chance looked at his uncle and let out a soft breath. “Somehow, Rye made it out of all that, she survived it. But she feels like she doesn’t deserve anything. She believes that she failed because when she was twelve, she promised her dad that she would keep her mother and sister safe. One is dead and the other,” he let out a breath as he pictured Leigh Anne in his mind,
I just moved in. I’m still in the process of getting settled. But I knew that you wanted to see the house. – RyeRye watched the new caseworker walk through inspecting the little house. As the short, skinny Asian woman walked through the house, the same that seemed too full and bursting with everything and anything that she or Michael might need, suddenly it seemed lacking.Opening the pantry, the woman hmphed and marked something on her clipboard. “You don’t have much food.”“I just moved in on Saturday and my friends gave me a surprise housewarming and baby shower yesterday.” Rye said smiling at her and hoping that the woman didn’t see through her false bravado. After all, of all the women that were at her house yesterday, she really only knew two. There was no way that she was going to admit that.“I had planned to go to the store tonight after work.” Rye admitted as the woman opened to refrigerator and saw the remaining fruit, vegetable and meat and cheese trays.
I’m very good at being Sophia. I just don’t like being her. – ShilohThe door to the Shack opened and a large group of men in suits entered with a woman in the middle of their pack. As they moved through the building, the men moved off and took up positions around the large space. The woman stopped in front of Pagan who wrapped her up in his arms.“We’re going to get them back.” She quietly promised.“I know.” Pagan whispered against her neck.She pulled away from him and pressed a kiss to his lips before she turned in his arms. “Werewolf, what do you know?”“They were taken by Aranya. We know where their president is.” He answered.She spoke in Italian, and six men stepped towards Werewolf. “Tell them.”Werewolf nodded and pulled up the map on his tablet. He explained where the Aranya clubhouse was located and what he knew of the buildings. “Don, with your leave?” Nico asked and Sophia nodded.“Yes, bring him to me.” The men turned to leave. “Nico," Sophia warned, "do not spill any
Mother, I’m not sure who you think you are but let me assure you who you are not. – SophiaNico leaned over and spoke softly in Sophia’s ear. “Do not let her take hold again. You are in charge of her. You control her.”Sophia nodded and gave him a small smile. She needed the reminder. Shiloh only had to be Sophia for a little while longer. They were winning the last few hold outs over to their side. There were a few that her mother still had convinced that it should be her stepson to take the position.With Sophia at his side to make it legitimate.Otherwise, he was just another son of just another capo. Elizabeth did not want to admit that she had moved down the ranks of the family. When she had first married Joseph, he had been second in line to the throne. His older brother and wife were both killed only a few weeks after Joseph had married Elizabeth.Joseph would be the next to lead the family. But then, the inner war took place and Joseph was caught in the crossfire. His father,
I don’t give a damn how it’s done. I just want it done. – PaganPagan was hammering out his frustration along with the hot metal on the anvil. It was the second day of the meeting with the family, and he was missing his wife.He couldn’t help the smile that crept across his face when he thought of Shiloh as his wife.When it was confirmed who her family was, he understood why she did not want anyone to know that they were married. Until everything was settled, it could put him and his girls in danger. He didn’t understand everything about her family, but he knew it worked like the Saints.They had a family leader and CEO of the company. Shiloh was Nonno’s only living heir and should take his place. Be the next CEO. But it was not what she wanted.She would do it out of duty and obligation. And Pagan was certain that she would be good at it. Shiloh had a good mind for business and could lead the family and business with very little effort. But her heart was n
If it goes well, you will never have to use your old name ever again. – NicoPagan loved waking up in the morning with Shiloh in bed with him. Most mornings, he woke up with her sucking on his cock. Or his balls. Or moving between the two.This morning was no different. He moaned as his hips thrust up and she took him all the way down to his base.“Fuck, babe.” Pagan growled.She hollowed her cheeks and bobbed up and down on him. His hands fisted in her hair and guided her as she bobbed, and he thrust. Pagan pulled her off him and towards him for a kiss.“I need in you.” He said between kisses.Her hands moved to his shoulders as she moved up his body. He sat up and wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. Shiloh wrapped her arms around his neck and legs around his waist. Moving his mouth to her neck, Pagan guided her onto his cock. “Pagan.” She sighed as his head pressed against her folds, sliding into her slickness. He growled again
I love you, Shy, but if you say you’re going to wear a white dress, I’m calling bullshit. – GertieSaturday after they got married, Shiloh went with some of the other ladies to a bridal shop. Surrounded by so much white and ivory, she and Gertie stood out. They looked at each other and shared a smile before they both busted out laughing.“Yeah…” Karan smirked. “I don’t know if we’re going to find anything for Shiloh here.”“Yes, we will.” Rye assured her as she walked towards the back of the large warehouse style store. The rest of the women all shrugged and followed her back. They weaved their way through racks and racks of gorgeous white, ivory and pale pink wedding gowns. There were large and puffy ones, others that were slim and fitting. And there were yards and yards of skirts, hundreds and thousands of beads. Satin, silk, taffeta and tule.Several of the women stopped to admire a gown or dress here and there. Mia pulled one out and held it in front of her.
I won’t even tell Toad. I’ll just tell him that we got the marriage license. – PaganPagan and Shiloh walked into the Shack holding hands just like they always did on Church nights. Ashlyn ran towards Priscilla to show the teen the new outfit. Alyssa headed for Athos to try to con him into a ride. Pagan was never sure if she was going to try for a ride on the bike, or a horse.Nessie looked at the couple as they came through the door from her usual table between the pool tables and the couches. She grinned at them, and Pagan headed towards her having learned not to avoid her. Nessie always knew way more than she should and said that the ghosts talked to her.Pagan had seen the poltergeist activity. Heard her say things about people that very few knew. “It looks good on yeh.” Nessie grinned at Shiloh. “What?” she asked quietly.“A new last name.”They both were quiet as they stared at her.“Yeh’ll not hear it from me. It’s not me place. We can put it
This is just for you and me. The other wedding will be for our girls. – Shiloh Shiloh walked into the front office of the fab shop and did not miss the loud annoyed sigh from the woman behind the counter. Pagan had told her about Carrianne and admitted that if it wasn’t that she was so freaking efficient, he would certainly fire her.But she kept the shop stocked with the iron and other metals that they needed. The other supplies and equipment were never low. Water and sports drinks were always on hand in the coolers and protein bars on the shelves. Project schedules were laid out with monthly, weekly and daily time allotments. Custom jobs were priced and bid for a hefty profit while not discouraging the buyer. Phones were answered when they had to be, although she preferred emails. And those were responded to within a business day at the most.Pagan knew that she did most of her work while she was at home, and he had no problems with it. Carrianne had told him onc
Most people make the mistake of overcooking the lasagna. – NicoOn the second Saturday of the new year, Nico invited himself over to teach the girls how to make authentic Italian lasagna. He showed up with almost all the ingredients that they would need. As he mixed up the pasta dough, he explained everything to the girls. Pagan and Shiloh sat at the table watching them. “Daddy always just thaws out the lasagna and puts it in the oven.” Ashlyn declared and Nico acted like he was going to die in the kitchen.Shiloh laughed at her cousin as he lay on the floor clutching his heart, mumbling a prayer in Italian. “I’ve made it from scratch before.” Pagan grumbled with a smile.“You never made the pasta.” Ashlyn pointed out.“Or the sauce.” Alyssa added.Shiloh laughed harder. “They have no loyalties to you when it comes to food.”“None.” Pagan agreed as Nico slowly and dramatically stood back up. The girls were helping him as he clutched the cabinet door
I don’t think that you understand your place within this family. – Elizabeth GiordanoPagan and Shiloh spent New Year’s Eve at the Shack while the girls went to a kid’s party over at Chance’s house. He knew that his new wife would not be comfortable with the New Year’s Eve activities and hosted the annual party for the kids. When Pagan had called Chance at ten in the morning, Rye answered the phone whispering.“Hey, Pagan.”“Good morning, Rye. How are the girls?”“Still asleep. Hang on.” Pagan could hear her moving around in their house and then she took a picture. A moment later, his phone chimed as the picture came through and he clicked the speakerphone button before he moved the phone so that both he and Shiloh could see the screen.Chance was lying on his back asleep on the living room floor. He had his niece, Morgan, asleep on one shoulder and Alyssa asleep on the other. He looked happy and content asleep surrounded by a dozen or more club kids.