Read Online Unbreakable: Unrequited Part Two (Fallen Aces MC Book 2) by Max Henry - Free Book Online Page B

the TV remote still perched on the arm of his chair. His spare boots are tucked beside the front door, and his riding jacket still hangs on the hook behind it. Kind of reminds me of the awkward stretch after Garrett died when Mom wouldn’t shift any of his things that still lay about. I can’t imagine the pain that comes with physically removing the last pieces of a part of your life like that. I don’t think anyone would think any less of Shanaya if she simply let them be for a while longer.
    She returns once the girls are settled and quietly comes to a stop beside me at the window. “They don’t understand. At least, I think they do, but they don’t want to allow themselves to believe it.”
    “They’re young, so it must be hard to comprehend.”
    She shakes her head. “They know death, King. We’ve lost pets and had to bury them. They know what ‘never coming back’ means. Hell, they learnt that when their biological father was 'taken care of'. They just innocently believed that their real dad—Twig—was invincible, that the rules didn’t apply to him.”
    I draw a deep breath and search for the right words. There are none. Sometimes a spoken sentiment will do nothing but lessen the importance of a moment, only trivializing the wealth of emotion that surrounds something as tragic as the loss of a loved one. Nothing I can say will ever set this right. No reasoning will ever do the hurt justice.
    “Beefy came to see me—he was the one who broke the news.”
    I place an arm around her shoulders and pull her in.
    “I knew it was bad, King. I knew it couldn’t be good because Beefy’s never left the club in the time I’ve known him except to get more food.” She snorts a laugh and then falls quiet with a sigh.
    “I’m sorry it wasn’t me who told you, Shay. I should have come straight over.”
    She shakes her head against the side of my chest. “No, don’t be silly. You had issues of your own to sort out.”
    I glance down at her, wondering just how far the rumors about a mystery girl and me have spread.
    “How are the wounds?” Shanaya steps out of my hold and heads toward the kitchen while she continues to talk. “If you need any painkillers, just let me know. Coffee? Beer?”
    The distant sound of the fridge door opening and the muted tones that drift down the hall from the kids’ movie break the otherwise peaceful afternoon. The sun peeks through the clouds and illuminates a patch on the driveway out front . . . the same spot where Twig would always park his bike. I smile up at the clouds, certain he’s watching over his family, wherever he is.
    “Did you want a drink?”
    Shanaya’s question startles me out of my reminiscent state. I turn my head and take her in as she peers around the doorway, her hand braced on the frame and her cheek rested against the wood. Aside from the tiredness in her eyes, there’s no trace that this woman has just been put through hell.
    “I’m good, thanks. I’ll hit the road again soon. Just wanted to check in.”
    She nods and turns away, disappearing across the hall once more. The club will take care of her; she’s one of our own. Most likely she’s already had the other old ladies stop by in rotation to see if she needs anything. And knowing what I do about her, she’ll turn them all away with pride in her voice and say she can do it alone.
    I cross the hallway to let her know I’m heading out and hesitate when I hear the quiet sniffles drift out from the kitchen. Shanaya sits with her back to the door, the decorative slashes in her T-shirt exposing the large, colorful back piece Twig bought her for Christmas. Her shoulders are hunched, and she clutches a hand to her mouth as she quietly sobs.
    I should say something. I should also leave her in peace. If she wanted my comfort she wouldn’t have hidden herself away. But that’s just it, isn’t it? The people who are the most broken are usually the best at hiding it for fear they’ll upset the