AllFreeNovel
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“We need to breathe, to be ourselves. So, I’m telling you this, not asking. We are holding a 4th of July party. It’s not a holiday I tend to celebrate, but we’re going to go big and bold. Now you guys can either accept and join in or stay the fuck away, and I will organise security, and you will not be welcome! Am I clear?” I stated firmly.
“Phoe, I’ll call church, and we’ll discuss this, see what we can compromise with,” Drake said.
I knew he’d do that. Try to be reasonable, but return and say it can’t happen. Well, I wasn’t standing for that. Not today. Us old ladies had bent enough. Now they had to bend to us.
“You do that. Meanwhile, we’re going to be making our plans. The party will be held at Reading Hall, so it’ll be safe,” I said.
“That’s good baby. I’ll see what my brothers say,” Drake mused.
“You do that. But this is happening, so converse all you want. You say no; we’ll still do it. And God forbid anyone who crosses us,” I stated, moving away from Drake. Stubborn asshole, pat the little woman on the head, let her believe you’ve considered all options and then say so regretfully. No chance.
“Phoe, we need to consider this,” Drake called.
“So hold church. But I don’t care what you or your gang of Neanderthals say. We’re having a party. Get your head around it!” I snapped. Jesus, a woman could only take so much.
Drake
It wasn’t that he wasn’t listening to Phoe; he was terrified something might happen. Of course, Phoe understood that, she knew him better than he knew himself. But it was unlike Phoe to push. It left Drake feeling unbalanced.
Drake got up and walked to his study, and logged his laptop on. He sent the inner circle a message. Ten minutes later, with a beer in hand, Drake hit the club’s private video chat programme and saw men waiting.
“What’s up?” Ace demanded instantly.
“I want some honest answers. Have you noticed a difference in the old lady’s behaviour and the Hellions?” Drake asked.
“Yes,” Calamity answered straight away. While not an official role, Calamity held the title conscience. The inner circle recognised that Calamity often noticed issues with clear eyes that they didn’t, so his fresh outlook was needed.
“Really?” Drake urged.
“Yeah. But I’m not going to elaborate until everyone else has spoken,” Calamity replied. “I won’t influence anyone.”
Apache squinted at Calamity.
“You’re a smug shit sometimes,” Apache grumbled, and Calamity grinned.
“Yeah, I have too. Carly is quieter, less argumentative, and more resigned. The youngsters are all quiet too. They walk around on eggshells,” Rock informed them all.
“Got the same with Autumn. Her fire’s been dimmed, and the kids don’t put a foot out of place. Aria couldn’t go skiing last week, and she shrugged and accepted it. Aaron tidies everything up as soon as I step through the door. It’s as if my family has turned into a Stepford one,” Gunner complained.
Shit, Drake thought. Phoe, as usual, was right.
“Silvie rarely shares her opinion anymore. She’s literally the perfect housewife, and I hate it. If I find her in a 1950s dress and apron and a pot roast on the table, I wouldn’t be fuckin’ shocked,” Apache finally said.
“So, let’s agree we’ve all seen a change in the old ladies and children,” Drake summed up. Nobody disagreed.
“Why?” Axel asked, scratching his head.
“Because of what’s happened,” Calamity pointed out.
“What do you mean?” Fish quizzed.
“They’ve all faced danger before, serious danger. And they survived and came out stronger for it. Look at Lindsey, Sin, and Autumn. They were timid, shy, and terrified of men. Lindsey drove here in a condition that should have killed her. Since then, she grew in confidence and courage. She has made a few mistakes along the way, but she’s completely different. Lindsey was what I’d call a silent fighter. She fought her ex to survive, but with Lowrider’s love, that fight began to show on the outside. Lindsey is a scrapper, like Phoe, Artemis, and Marsha.
“Would anyone believe that Sin would go toe to toe with one of us? She constantly hid behind Jett, and even then, sometimes, she’d hold back from arguing. Sin was the all-time shy girl. Now look at her, still awkward around strangers, but she won’t back down. Her fighting for Jett and Amelia did wonders for her.
“Autumn, beaten down almost to the point of whoring herself, facing getting on her knees to feed her kids. Kidnapped, hogtied, watched a scene go down many wouldn’t recover from. And Autumn reached out and dragged James Washington into her family, kicking and screaming, mind you. She stood up to Rapid City’s premier crime lord and made him hold babies. She’s Phoe’s enforcer, make no mistake,” Calamity said.
“What’s your point?” Texas asked.
