LOGINShare
Chapter 156: Epilogue
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56
Related chapters
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 157: Biggest Risk
VOLUME SIX: BIGGEST RISKThe door is forcibly pushed open, the sharp wooden corner jabbing into my naked foot. I step back, fear overpowering my senses. "You guys aren't from the cable company. Are you?"The tall one pushes the door again, forcing his way into my living room. "Winnie, didn't your mama teach you never to open the door to strangers?" he asks with a sneer, allowing another tall equally mean-looking man inside behind him.My mother did teach me not to open the door for strangers or talk to them either. The problem is that I've always had a problem listening to what my mother tells me to do.With the door open, I spot my escape and turn, ready to run out into the apartment hallway. The first man, big Blondie because of his blond hair, grabs me from behind and twist my arm."Shut the door," he says and his friend is quick to listen. "I'll handle her. You search the place.""Look, I don't know what this is about, but I'm pretty sure you have the wrong person." I h
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 158: Not the Cable Guys
Knuckles rap against my wooden door and I drop the book I'd been trying unsuccessfully to read the last two hours. My heart immediately accelerates. The last time I opened my door to a knock it wasn't good news. Quietly, so as not to let anyone figure out I'm here, I ninja-walk my way to the living room. My apartment is not that large, so it doesn't take long.Whoever installed the peep hole in this door was ridiculously tall so I stand on my tiptoes to peek out. The view that greets me stops my breath. On the other side, standing with his cowboy hat to the side of his head in a way I've started to think I'd only imagined, stands my savior. I didn't know if he would come and I'm not sure if he can help, but I've never been so glad to see someone as I am to see Huxley Weiss right this moment.No longer worried about who's standing in my hallway, I throw open the door with abandon."Huxley," the words are breathless as I grab onto his elbow and pull him into my apartment. I don't w
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 159: It's My Fantasy
The egg cracks on the side of the pan and a piece of the shell falls into the gloop."Mother fucker." The four prongs dig at the side of the nonstick coating probably releasing a ton of toxins into our food as I scrape at the quickly cooking eggs to get the piece out. Maybe Huxley will consider it extra protein?I'm not normally so bad in the kitchen, but when you spend a night in bed with someone it can make the morning tense. I mean I slept with a cowboy last night. It's an easy fantasy for any woman. Hell, it's my fantasy.Okay, we didn't sleep together, but we did sleep together. And that's enough to fret on a girl. As the sun started to set and Huxley and I looked at one another, each of us wondering what came next, I tried to play it cool and offered him a spot on the couch for the night.He took one glance at my rose covered couch — a hand-me-down from Tabitha — and said, "Nope." Then, just like that, he stripped down to his boxers and slipped into my bed.I wasn't abo
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 160: Negotiations
"You don't understand," Blondie stutters over his words, cutting Huxley off. "She doesn't accept failure.""We'll consider this a learning opportunity. Or if you're really that scared of a woman," the way Huxley says woman like we couldn't be scary is a bit irritating, "then pretend his trail led you to the Southwest. I don't care where, as long as it's far away from here."I've pressed my body so close to the side of the wall to hear better I lose my footing as my socks slide against the tile floor and I'm forced to reach around and hold on to the wall so I don't fall. When I regain my balance, I stay hidden on the side, hopeful Huxley didn't notice."And you can come out now, Winnie," he calls.Busted."You're also going to apologize for making Winnie cry." Huxley wraps me up in a big side hug, pulling me close to his body in the middle of the living room. The black gun is still held firmly in his other hand and pointed at the blond giant.My dress gets caught around my k
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 161: Work Uniform
"That's your work uniform?" Huxley leans against the door jamb staring wide-eyed as I zip up my tall black leather boots. They're my favorite and tonight I need the comfort of the old beloved boots I picked up at a Ross store three years ago.The leather footwear come nearly to my knee and you would think the tall black leather would be difficult to wear, but they're the opposite. These boots are the most comfortable shoes I own. I could walk all day in them. When you're a club promoter and work till three o'clock in the morning, comfort is an important feature."Yeah, don't you like them?" I ask, standing from the bed.Huxley rubs the pad of his thumb against his jaw. "This is not what I pictured when you said you had to get ready for work."I shrug. There's only four or so inches of exposed skin from the top of my boots to the bottom of the black miniskirt. Add in the baby pink polo I made Noah order when I accepted the part-time position at his club and I'm more covered than
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 162: You're Getting Old
"Aren't you exhausted?" Huxley asks around his own yawn.I widen my eyes, not having to fake being awake this morning. "Nope. You're getting old," I quip, grabbing the purse I left over the back of the kitchen chair last night.Or, well, this morning since we didn't get home until two. I'm not required to stay until the club closes since most of the action usually winds down between midnight and one. But last night's group was rough and with only one bouncer at the door after midnight I didn't want to leave them shorthanded. It's a lot easier to see and stop a fight before it even starts with my vantage point mixed in the crowd.Plus, last night was one of my best nights of sleep ever. The first few nights Huxley was here, I lay beside him in bed tossing and turning, unable to get any sleep. My head was full of thoughts. Who is looking for Archer? What does Huxley think of me? Will the guys come back again? What did they mean when they said Archer was in Pelican Bay? Why wasn't H
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 163: A Kept Promise
"This church is better. Trust me," I say turning onto the long road that leads to the older section of Pelican Bay. "This is the church I went to as a kid. It's where all my best church memories happened."It's tiny, the same design as an old one-room schoolhouse but featuring a bell tower on top. It doesn't fit many people, and that's okay because not many people go to it. There isn't a nursery for the children and they don't do specialized classes. You go in, sit down, get a sermon, and go home. It's exactly my kind of church.My promise to God I'd attend church more may have taken place in a small airplane over the ocean while I thought I'd die, but that doesn't mean I plan to default on the agreement.Two weeks ago, the sermon was about old friends and being there for them even when they go through hard times, it doesn't seem odd to me that Huxley is here now — even if the circumstances aren't great. God, faith, mother nature, whatever you want to call it, the forces brought
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 164: Still Mad
"What did you do after church yesterday?" Katy asks as we stand behind the orange caution barrels placed at intervals blocking off a section of town. "And don't think I'm not still mad you didn't tell me you have a hot guy staying with you."Heat rises in my cheeks and I silently pray Huxley didn't hear her words, but from the way his smile grows as he pretends to watch a seagull fly toward the ocean, I'm pretty sure he did. Damn Marine hearing."I told you it's a weird situation." I love Katie, she's been one of my friends for years, but I spent a lot of last summer telling her how awesome Archer and my life in Vegas was. I don't think I can handle telling her he duped me. No one wants to admit they spent years dating a loser."Do you think we're far enough back?" I ask Huxley, totally ignoring Katy's questions and staring at the big building the city is set to demolish.He shrugs. "Not exactly my specialty, but I'm sure they wouldn't let anyone get hurt."The orange caution
Latest chapter
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 324: From Elliot
ElliotFive years later"No, sweetie, we only get one puppy today." I squat getting on the same level as my daughter, Brandise.The round ball of fluff she squeezes onto with all her might so he doesn't run away licks her across the face and she giggles. "Daddy, they're twins just me and Bray. They have to stay together."My eyes flick back and forth between each dog. One held in the tight grip of Brandise and the other being sized up by my son. Their mother, Harley, a woman who took too long for me to figure she meant everything stands between the two of them with her lips pinched together not helping me in this situation. She's left me out in the cold on my own.The two puppy siblings look alike, but in my eyes every Yorkie looks the same. How can you tell them apart? The puppies my babies held both had a lighter colored face than Rocky, but other than that they were big puffballs of fur."Sweetie, Rocky only needs one brother," I try again hoping to talk sense into her.
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 322: No Listening to Reason
Elliot's steps are slow but sure as I hold open the bakery door to let him get through the space. Once he's cleared the way, I stand beside him in case he needs me for support as he makes his way to the first table in the busy sitting section. You wouldn't expect a shoulder injury to cause issues walking, but with each movement his body makes, his shoulder sways with the force and his face grimaces.It's too soon for him to be up and moving, but I couldn't make him listen to reason.He finds his seat and plops in it heavily, the chair legs scraping on the tile. The people around us stop what they're doing and turn before a small round of applause starts from behind the bakery counter and then picks up including people from every space in the bakery. Elliot turns to the noise, catching everyone in their adoration, and scowls until the clapping fades."Cupcakes for everyone," Anessa says smiling from her spot at the counter. "Especially for our new hero."Elliot's scowl deepens.
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 323: Eligible Bachelors
Dominick releases a breath and sucks in another one as if preparing himself for this new life. "Are you positive? Because there are very eligible bachelors in my club. A brother could keep you safe."I don't argue with him that Elliot kept me safe. Well at least until he got shot, and no one can blame a man for that. He literally stuck his body in between me and a loaded weapon. How much more could he have done?Plus I could never live life in the club again. Now after experiencing life on my own. "Yeah, and then they'd cheat on me or go to prison."Dominick shakes his head. "My men aren't that way. They love hard and deep. I changed the club here, Harley. It's different from how we grew up in Colorado."There's honesty in his words, but it will never be enough to bring me back. "Elliot is mine."Dom shakes his head once, admitting defeat. "Fine. Onto topic two. I met your father," he says father accusatorily like I've been keeping something from him.Which, in a way, I hav
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 322: Three Bullets to the Chest
Without warning there's another harsh pop in the air like someone shooting off a firecracker, and then red blossoms in the middle of Pete's forehead. His body falls back hitting the ground once again. The thud is too far away to hear, but I swear my body feels the vibration.Holy fuck.My ears ring from the gunfire as men pool around us each of them yelling things back and forth. It's coordinated chaos. An ambulance with its lights flashing speeds over the highway."That man took three bullets to the chest," Huxley mutters to himself shaking his head. "I haven't seen anything that crazy since Thailand."... The steady beat of Elliot's hospital machines lulls me into a restless sleep as my head rests on Elliot's hand."Harley," a deep voice whispers in my ear, shaking my shoulder. "Har."In a start my head pops up and my eyes search Elliot's face, but his hand still rests underneath my head, a pool of my drool sticking between his fingers."Still drool, huh? I wouldn't
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 321: Nobody to Save Me
"Dominick won't pay anything for me," I lie.Pete laughs. "Don't want money. I'm looking to trade you for a free get-out-of-town card. If he won't offer me his protection, you'll be a going away gift to my men. They're upset with having to leave. I'm sure you understand.""What?" Fear causes me to choke out the word as a hundred images flash through my brain of what he could mean, but only one is sick and depraved enough for this man.He smirks. "They'll love you if the Impaler doesn't."I fall to my knees against the back of his seat. "No, please don't." I'd rather he shoot me now than do what his smile promises. He means I'm to be a sexual gift given to his men and passed between them. I'd never survive. Sure, Dom trained me in basic self-defense skills, but my mother sheltered me from club life so I only heard the evils of the world through others. Until now, I never once felt concern for my safety. Not the way I do now.The cargo van travels on the highway, passing a bill
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 320: Nothing Drastic
"Stand up, Fucker."Elliot scoots away from me as I claw deftly on his leg trying to hold on and keep him close. He turns, not making any sudden movements and puts his body in front of mine to shield me once again from the nasties of life."Let's not do anything drastic, Pete." Elliot takes a step forward with his hand held out defensively.I twist seeing the old man wearing a pair of board shorts, a blue Hawaiian shirt with palm trees, and flip-flops on his feet standing in the middle of the beach. He resembles a tourist who belongs in Florida not a man running a drug ring in Pelican Bay. He sneers at me taking the tension from Elliot for just a moment and waving the gun in his direction as if either of us could forget it's there."She's the only one who can name me. Without her I can pick up shop and start somewhere fresh and there's nothing you can do about it. You guys don't have shit on me.""You're standing in the middle of a public beach during the day, Pete," Elliot t
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 319: Stagnant Words
He flinches as of my question has hurt him, but I'm the child who didn't have a father. "I got out early for good behavior and I looked up your mother. I learned what happened. Sorry about your loss," he says. The words are stagnant as if he knows what he's supposed to say but struggles with the meaning. Yet, something in the inflection makes me believe he means each one. His eyes turn soft, possibly remembering his time with my mother.My life has never been cupcakes and cookies, but the last month has been indescribable except for the word surreal. First, I had no father, then I picked up a club president for a stepdad, lost him, and now gained back the original. What is happening to my life?"What will happen now?"My father shakes his head and stares at me with a touch of a smile tweaking his lips. "I'm out of the club life. Plan to take the straight and narrow from here on out."I hold back the cringe at his promise. It's one I've heard from club brothers my entire life. E
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 318: She Deserves Better
Elliot shakes his head, his fingers curving around the handle of his gun. His face pinches together as if he has so much to say, but is staying silent for me.Until he doesn't anymore."Would someone mind telling me what the fuck is going on?"He's not the only one looking for answers. "Me too. Mom said you died in a motorcycle crash. Drove your bike over a mountain ledge one night." She hadn't said he'd been drinking, but I've filled in the blanks for myself as I aged.My father's teeth come together hard making a gnashing sound I hear even from my position. "Yeah well. She thought it would be better than the true story. Easier for both of you to move on rather than wait around on me living only a half-life.""Then what is the true story?" After my mom left Dominick's dad, it was the three of us together. I always believed we never hid any secrets from one another.My father shakes his head and stares at me but looks past me as if he's reliving the memories himself. "She s
Pelican Bay Security Chapter 317: Escape Plans
My gaze and thoughts flip to the back door, but I'm too far away to reach it before he could shoot me.The man is younger than Pete and not the person I saw put a bullet in someone earlier this month, but he's old enough to be my father. His skin is leathered and wrinkled as if he's spent a lifetime in the sun. His jeans are loose and a leather jacket lacking any MC cut is wrapped around his body. Not a Bloodhound.I stand next to the kitchen island breathing heavily while trying to come up with an escape plan as the two of us stare at one another unmoving.He speaks first. "Now, Harley, is this any way to greet the old man who named you?"His words scatter in my brain, startling me into paying attention, all my plans of escape lost. "Excuse me? My father named me."It was one of the few stories I had of the man who shared such a brief relationship with my mother. "He wanted to pay homage to the best...""Damn motorcycle company the US has ever seen," he finishes my sentenc
