Unbreakable: Unrequited Part Two (Fallen Aces MC Book 2) Read Free Page B

bike on the side of the road and had asked her husband to pull over.
    “It really is great to see you up and about,” Edith says, passing me a plate of bite-sized pastries. “I was worried about you for a bit there.”
    The woman’s a paradox. Here she is, sitting in her country-themed kitchen, full of manners and being the perfect host, while talking with an outlaw she’s aided off the radar as though it’s no big deal. I take stock of her pressed pale blue shirt and sensible fawn slacks as she stands to retrieve the salt and pepper shakers from the counter.
    “We’re thankful for your help,” Hooch says, filling the silence and giving me a pointed glare. “Would have been a darn sight harder if you hadn’t stepped in.”
    “You look confused,” Edith’s husband says, rolling up the sleeves of his work shirt while he eyes me over the table. “Bet you’re wondering why people like us would risk the trouble to help you lot.”
    “Yeah,” I admit. “A little.”
    “I was young once, too, you know. Made a few mistakes of my own.” He lifts a placating hand. “Not that I’m saying you boys made any mistakes—each to their own—but priorities change as you get older.” He exchanges a look with Edith as she fidgets with her fork.
    “You can tell them, Lee,” she murmurs. “It’s okay.”
    Murphy and Hooch appear as lost as I am, hesitating with food halfway to their mouths as they look between our two hosts. Seamus continues chewing on his lunch while he stares off into nothing, clearly tuned out from what goes on around him.
    Edith’s husband—Lee—takes a deep breath and sets his lunch down, pushing the plate toward the center of the table. “Bought my first bike when I was fifteen. Saved the money working an after-school job at our neighbor’s farm for three and a half years. Thought I was the biggest, meanest, and baddest asshole in town. Had a chip on my shoulder a mile wide, and an attitude that would eventually get me almost killed.”
    “Were you patched to anyone?” Murphy asks. The question’s not hostile—he’s genuinely curious.
    “Devil’s Enforcers.”
    “Why did you leave?” I say. There isn’t a thing in his place that indicates he ever belonged to an MC. He’s buried his memories, which means whatever the reason for leaving was, it can’t be good.
    Edith answers for him. She rises from the table and pulls the hem of her shirt out of the waist of her slacks. Hooch clears his throat, and Murphy averts his gaze. Seamus stares at the wall and chews.
    I lock eyes with Edith as she bunches the fabric up to her ribs to reveal a mass of scars. “Buckshot.” I give her a respectful nod as she tucks her shirt back in and takes her seat again. “We were out on a club ride for a fundraiser when a few uninvited guests thought they’d join in and started causing trouble. Lee was the Enforcer’s road captain at the time, and so he felt it was his responsibility to get them to leave.”
    “Take it they didn’t?” Hooch leans back in his chair, paying no mind to his food.
    “Nope.” Lee shakes his head. “A fight broke out while we were stopped somewhere for lunch. The old ladies were seated outside with the kids, close to the play area. We pushed the intruders back into the parking lot, but when they drew weapons and started toward the building again . . .” He scrubs a hand over his face, clearly trying to keep his composure. I open my mouth to tell him he doesn’t have to say anymore, but he holds a hand up to quiet me and gives a quick tip of the head. “When they started back toward our group, the families were right in the middle of it.” He reaches out and finds Edith’s hand. “This woman is the bravest lady I know.”
    A lone tear escapes Edith’s eye as she smiles at Lee. Silence surrounds the table, but somehow it’s fitting—respectful.
    “Who caused the trouble?” Hooch quietly asks.
    “Blood Eagles.”
    Seamus finally stops chewing and looks at Lee.