ACE (Defenders M.C. Book 4) by Amanda Anderson Read Free Book Online Page B

fire pit out back.
     
    The place was looking like home and the brothers turned out to make it feel like one too.  There was a party by dark and most of the brothers showed up with well wishes.  It was a night for families so the old ladies were the only women around.  It was a rare night.it was the kind of night Ace liked best.  No skanks up in your face, just the brothers sitting around sharing stories and talking about the good ole days.  Even Shadow talked.  Ace always marveled at the man.  He seemed to feel more himself in the flicker of the fire light.
     
    Ace remembered Shadow as a boy.  He’d run around the campfire many nights before Preach had discovered that Shadow was his son.  It had been a different time then.  The Devils had been more pests than a threat and the Defenders were untouchable.  Now the Devils were a threat that if left unchecked could wipe the Defenders out for good. 
     
    Ace looked around the fire.  Their numbers were down and they were getting in fewer prospects.  In a few years they would be extinct if things didn’t change.
     
    He felt a slap on his shoulder.
     
    “Stop that brother.  The Defenders will be fine.  You know I’ll make sure of that.”
     
    Preach sat down beside Ace.
     
    “Not as many as there used to be.”
     
    “I’m calling in a few from Tucson.  Things are starting to get real and we may need them.  Did you know Marty used to date Harper Towery?”
     
    Ace’s eyes landed on Marty who was sitting with Tommy.
     
    “Fuck no.  Is that a problem?”
     
    “May be just the opposite.  She didn’t try to hide anything.  She’s willing to see if she can get some information out of him.”
     
    “I can’t have her in danger right now Preach.  I’m askin’ you not to do that to me right now.”
     
    “I know that.  I’m tellin’ you she won’t be and you will have a say in this.  I just found out today.  She and Spec have had their heads together.”
     
    “She is something isn’t she?”  Ace felt pride swell in his chest.
     
    Marty’s laugh rang out over the crowd.
     
    “You did good there Ace.  She has spunk and she knows how to handle herself.”  Preach took a long pull from his beer.
     
    “I hope it stays that way.”  Ace leaned back in his chair and watched his daughter.  She needed to make her place and she needed to do it quick he was feeling this shit with every breath.
     
    “You alright?”
     
    “Yeah.”
     
    “You told any of them?”
     
    “Fuck no.  Not yet.”  He met Preach’s eyes.  “Just not yet.  I don’t want them to fucking look at me like I’m broken.  I just want her to know me as a whole man first.”
     
    “I get that.  You doin’ what the doctor tells you?”
     
    “Yeah I’m taking whatever they tell me.  Candy can tell you that if you need another word.”
     
    Preach shook his head.  “Your word works for me.  Need anything?”
     
    “Nope.  Toothpick comin’ home next moth?”
     
    “Yeah.  Might not want Marty around for that.  It’s gonna be a rough party.”
     
    “She’ll be back home by then.  Starts her last year of school.”
     
    “That’s good.  Spec says she’s damn smart.  We could use her.”
     
    “Since when do we use women for anything but fuckin’?”
     
    “Since our numbers got low and we needed more boys than we can fucking find.  Candy been helpin’ Ink.  Spec says he could use Marty.  Not givin’ anything away, just extra shit.  You got a problem with that?”
     
    “As long as she ain’t into nothin’ that could get her in trouble.  You promise me that right fucking now.”
     
    “You know I can’t make that promise.”
     
    “Then leave her out of it.”
     
    Preach stood and stretched.  “Should have thought of that before you brought her home, brother.”
     
     
     
     
     

 
    10
     
    Janice hadn’t been to a party with the brothers in too many years to count.  There were only a few that remained from