Free The Secret's Out (Hawks MC: Caroline Springs Charter, #1) by Lila Rose Page A

shell when he was around, but I didn’t have the balls to do anything...until now. You keep these boys close, Josie.”
    “But don’t you understand, you standing up to him in front of people...he could—”
    “I don’t care what he can do. No longer, sweetpea, okay. This place is safe for you. Now get your arse home. Take the evening off.”
    With worried eyes, Josie sent Marybeth a small appreciative smile and started for the door. Caden was right behind her and I would have been until a small hand wrapped around my arm to halt me.
    Turning, I faced Marybeth and then I was shocked for the third time that day when she whispered, “For the first time, that girl out there came into work with a skip in her step and a smile upon her beautiful face. Not until I saw the two of you come in here and do what you did for her did I know why her mood suddenly changed. I wish I had the guts a long time ago to rip that boy a new one like you just did, but I didn’t. Thank you, kid. Thank you for bringing the Josie I knew she could be to the front. Thank you for being such a badarse and teaching that boy a lesson. However, I’m not sure that boy is smart enough for that lesson to sink in. Tell me, you boys are sticking close to her?”
    “We ain’t goin’ anywhere until her shit is done. Or at all.”
    She nodded to the floor and then looked back up and met my stare. “Does she know you both love her?”
    My head flinched back an inch in shock.
    What. The. Fuck.
    Marybeth giggled and then sobered. “Kid, it’s written all over your face, and his. You give her time and I swear, from what I saw today, she will love you both back just as hard.” My nose screwed up. How could an old lady think it was right for Josie to love two guys?
    Marybeth scoffed in my face. “Don’t look like that. Josie is full of heart and warmth. That girl has been living on the doorstep of hell. There’s something in her eyes that tell me as much. She deserves happiness and, if the two of you can give that to her, then everyone will understand. If no one gets it...fuck’ em. Fuck anyone who thinks different.”
    That was when I burst out laughing.

Chapter Seven
    J osie
    I had never heard Eli speak like that before. I knew motorcycle men were different from most average men. I knew when they protected, they did it fiercely. I just didn’t know that when they wanted to get a point across, they did it in such a way that was crude, mean and vicious.
    Was I disgusted with what Eli said?
    Yes.
    Was I scared by what Eli said?
    Yes.
    Could I get over what Eli said?
    Yes. 100 percent yes. At the time, it was a shock to my fragile system. However, no matter what way I looked at it, I knew he was doing it all for me.
    He hated what I was going through, so much so he let his emotions run him. Those strong, wild emotions were something frighteningly sweet, and I meant ‘sweet’ because he was doing it for me.
    Should I be scared to see that side of him?
    No.
    How could I when he was doing it all to protect me.
    Looking back through the window, I witnessed Eli throw his head back and laugh out loud to something Marybeth said and that sight was beautiful. So even though the words scared me, Eli himself didn’t because I knew I would be safe around him, and Caden.
    “Precious, you okay?” Caden asked as we stood outside waiting for Eli.
    My gaze went from Eli inside to Caden, and I smiled. “Yes, I’m fine.”
    He studied my face, looking from my eyes to my mouth and then his lips twitched. “Good.” He took my hand in his. I didn’t flinch that time. I welcomed it. It was Caden after all and when Eli came out, I could also take his hand, because he was Eli and they were my home.
    “Our girl is strong.” Caden grinned.
    Nodding, I said, “I’m getting there with your help, Eli’s, and Simone’s. I finally feel I can be.” I giggled. “Though, you both better look out when I’m fully there.”
    He chuckled. “Looking forward to it.”
    The