Nasty Bastard (Grim Bastards MC Book 4) by Emily Minton, Shelley Springfield

wouldn’t listen to me.”
    Trix clears her throat, leaning back in the chair. “I don’t have all the answers you’re looking for. Never even met Torch, so don’t know shit about him other than he isn’t a good guy. I knew your dad and brother before they…”
    Her words die on her lips, so I finish the sentence for her. “Before they died? That’s what you were gonna say, wasn’t it?”
    “I don’t know the whole story about that either,” she says, not quite meeting my eyes. “But, I seriously doubt either one of them are still breathing, so don’t plan on them stopping by for a visit or anything.”
    I pull in a quick breath, trying to find something in me that’s sad to have lost my father and brother, but I can’t. “I’m not gonna pretend them being gone bothers me, but I would like to know what they did to deserve death.”
    After a couple of seconds of silence, Addy gives Trix a reassuring nod. “It’s not something I like to talk about, but I will give you a brief summary. Crank tried to rape me, and they both tried to kill me. I walked away with nothing more than a few scratches, but it still scared the hell out of me.”
    Bile works its way up my throat, making me want to drain every bit of my father’s blood from my body. I’ve always known they were both bad, but I never knew they were that bad. Still, a small part of me is not surprised by it.
    “I’m sorry,” I say, blinking back my tears. “I’m sorry they hurt you, sorry for all the people they’ve hurt in their fucked up lives.”
    Trix shrugs, as if it’s not a big deal. “I lived, so it’s all good. Even if it wasn’t, you didn’t do shit to apologize for.”
    Addy stands up and walks to the head of the bed. “That’s all in the past, so let’s forget it. What we want to know is what’s going on between you and Smoke. He wouldn’t leave your side all damn night. Just sat there and watched you. Any time anyone came in the room, he damn near ripped their heads off.”
    It’s been years since I talked about him. Not even my ex knew about what Layton did to me, but it all comes pouring out now. I tell them everything about us, from our first kiss to the day he took my virginity and walked out on me.
    “He just left me standing in his room and never talked to me again,” I say, as tears fill my eyes. “My ex did some pretty fucked up shit to me, but nothing ever hurt as much as Smoke turning away from me like that.”
    “Shit, that’s fucked up,” Trix mumbles then says, “You’re gonna have to make him work for it, Gidget. Don’t let him off too easy.”
    My eyes jerks to hers as I try to decipher her words. “Make him work for what? What are you talking about?”
    “Every time you say his name, your eyes fill with tears. You wouldn’t have that kind of reaction if you didn’t care. You still love him, so there’s no way you’re gonna be able to say no to him forever.” She leans forward, getting closer to the bed. “Judging by the way he hovered over you last night, he’s always regretted walking away from you and is gonna do everything to get you back. Before you give in and take his stupid ass back, make him prove he deserves a second chance.”
    Before I can reply, before my brain can even take in everything she just said, a cry comes through the baby monitor. Addy smiles and says, “Cam’s up, so Parker probably is, too. I’ll go get him and bring him down to see you.”
    They both jump up and walk to the door. Just before they open it up, Addy looks back and says, “I’m glad Smoke has someone good to love him. He deserves it.”
    As the door shuts, my mind replays everything they said. For some reason, Trix’s words keep pushing to the front. You still love him, so there’s no way you’re gonna be able to say no to him forever. Fuck, she’s right!

Chapter Nine
    Smoke
    Leaving Boz’s office, I turn the corner to head down the hall to the room Doc put Gidget in. Hopefully, she went to