Twisted Steel: An MC Anthology: Second Edition by Elizabeth Knox (top 5 ebook reader txt) 📕

hear the words and the irritation over the phone. We were never a happy family and never would be. I did the one thing they never could—set us all free. I felt better for it and I would do it all over again but sooner.

“Don’t dwell too hard on it. Your achievements are proof enough to them of who you are. Even though they’re not worth proving anything for. Live for you and the baby. It all will work out, and in due time. You’re not moving out. You’ll live here with me. I’ll watch my godchild as much as I can. I’ll drive Spider’s truck and you can take my car as much as you need until you get your degree and then you can figure out what you want from there.”

“No.”

“Yes, you will.”

“No,” I demand, shaking my head. “I have to do this on my own. I need to do this on my own.”

“The fuck you do not. So, you can help me, but you can’t accept my help? That makes no sense. Put your pride away. There isn’t any room for that here. None. You are not going to stop now. Do you honestly believe I’ve never had help from my family along the way? Of course, I did.”

“That’s different.” Her family has always loved and supported her. Mine is the horrible opposite.

“You’re insulting me. Knock your shit off. Are your pride and trust issues worth it? Because you are costing the future for your baby too, just to point that out.”

“Wow, don’t hold back what you’re thinking.” Biting my nail, I think over Jazzy’s words. They have some truth, but what I can’t do is give in so easily, and she knows it. I’m trying to go with the flow and keep my sanity through it all. It’s so damn hard to change that side of me. “You know I trust you. It’s hard to let it all go and my world has been dumped upside down. I need change and I see that. I want to be happy. I do.”

She gives me a tender look and goes on. “I do get it. I’m here with you. Life has tossed you out on your ass, literally. Maybe, it did this to help you start over. Take it and rebuild it how you want it. Remember, Spider isn’t going to care if you’re here. In fact, I’m going to tell him. You’ll see. Don’t say anything now, or give up on your dream just yet. We have to get to work at the salon. We’ll pretend to argue later so you can feel better about all this.” Jazzy laughs and picks up her purse, gloating. She still puts in a day or two around her schedule at the tattoo shop. Jazz missed doing it, so Spider helps cover the books for her. In truth, he also enjoys monitoring both their MC world and their business.

“I have no idea why I have attached myself to you.” Shutting off the computer, I slip my feet into my wedges and follow behind. Jazzy has saved my ass. She talked to the owner at the salon where she started working and got me a chair to work from. Funny thing, she ordered all new supplies and said she didn’t need her old stuff. Yeah, right. “Hey.” Jazzy stops and turns around to face me. “Thank you. For all of it.”

“You know I would help you. Girl, you are the sister I’ve never had. It means something to me to give you what you need. You know that. Besides, I live here rent free too. Spider pays all the bills.” She shrugs and opens the door, ushering me out. Together, they found a house to buy with four bedrooms, with top freaking security installed and in a nice neighborhood.

“I’m pretty sure Spider bought this house to fill it with your kids and not your friends,” I joke.

“True. But family is family. So, drop the guilt. If it were one of his brothers that needed help, it wouldn’t be any different.”

For now, I let it go because I do need to think this all through. It breaks my heart that I would be away from my baby while I do my clinic hours, schoolwork, and cut hair at every possible leftover minute of the day to get me through the bachelor’s program. Not too long ago, I finished my associate program, but I want to finish it all so bad, and I’m so damn close. On the ride over to the shop, I think over my options and try to place all the pieces together. I’m glad it’s not my first day here, but at least today I have more appointments booked. What I really need is to book longer appointments, like color. An idea pops into my head and I make a post on social media, add a few hashtags to target the local people, specifically women, and include a sale on color. I need new clients and starting over is going to take some effort on my part.

Jazzy parks her sports car and my focus is on the roar of bikes parking next to us. “What did you do?” My head whips around to Jazzy and my jaw hangs open.

“You have a full day booked. Spider rounded up the guys to get their hair cut today. I looked at your schedule on your phone and sent over to him what times you’re open. Pound an energy drink, it’s going to be a fast day, but we got you.”

Nerves skate up my spine. It’s as if the past collides with my present. Will they all expect something from me? Doubt encircles all around me like a fog. I want to run back to California. Jazzy comes from out of nowhere it seems, because during my panic attack, I didn’t notice her get out of the car. She holds my door open and encourages me. “Today, you don’t think, just do.”

Spider is the