Wolf (Devil's Fury MC 9) - Harley Wylde (best books to read now TXT) 📗

the front door. Opening it, she shoved Franny out of the house and slammed the door in her face.

“That woman!” Glory growled and stared at the door.

“Easy there, tiger. She didn’t mean anything by it.” Glory whirled on me and looked like she might attack. I held up a hand to placate her. “You have no idea how much I appreciate you standing up for me, Glory. But Franny is… damaged. She was part of a human trafficking ring. They lured her here with promises of bringing her family over. She didn’t mean to be offensive.”

At least, I’d always thought she hadn’t meant it. It was possible I’d been wrong. About a lot of things.

“Don’t make excuses for her. She can either be a victim the rest of her life, or she can try to build something new. You coddled her, didn’t you? That’s why she’s back. She wanted you to take care of her.”

She wasn’t entirely wrong. I’d thought Franny was independent, until I’d met Glory. The two were as different as night and day. To be honest, when Franny had left, I hadn’t exactly been brokenhearted. More disappointed than anything. She wasn’t the woman meant for me, and some part of me had known it. I’d tried to make things work with her, and we could have been happy. I just wouldn’t have felt even half the passion I had with Glory.

A fist pounded on the door and I walked over to yank it open. Franny still stood there, arms crossed and looking fragile. Tears slipped down her cheeks, and she curled in on herself. Glory was right. She was playing the part of the victim. How had I never noticed? Dagger stood next to her, his eyes narrowed and his jaw tight.

“Why the fuck did you leave her out here on the porch?” Dagger asked. “She has nowhere to go. We all know you’ve been mooning after Glory, but shit, Wolf. What the hell are you thinking?”

Glory came up beside me. “She can’t stay here.”

Dagger’s eyes widened a fraction as he took in Glory, then seemed to realize I was holding a baby. He rocked back on his heels. “What the hell is going on?”

Glory threw her hands up in the air. “Does no one around here communicate?”

“Apparently not,” I said. “I told Steel I was claiming Glory. She and Sienna have moved in. He was supposed to spread the word. It’s why I didn’t stop by the clinic when we first found out about the break-in.”

Dagger scratched at the beard along his jaw and looked from Glory to Franny, then to me. “So you didn’t invite Franny back?”

“No.” I glanced at Franny who was still crying. There was a part of me that wanted to help her. We’d been together for over a year. But I had to think about Glory and Sienna. I wouldn’t ask my woman to accept my ex into our house, and I’d be damned if I let the club railroad me into it. Besides, now that Glory had brought it to my attention, I could see Franny was playing a part.

“I came back to be with Wolf,” Franny said, another tear sliding down her cheek. “I should have never left him.”

Glory rolled her eyes and huffed. “Oh, please. Are you suddenly madly in love with him?”

Franny nodded eagerly. She clearly didn’t sense the trap Glory had just laid. I had a feeling my woman was about to shred her. While a part of me still felt inclined to shield Franny, I knew it would be the wrong move, and would likely drive a wedge between me and Glory.

“Really?” Glory asked, folding her arms. “So you’d not have any problem with him walking around the house just the way he is now? You’d help rub his leg when he overdoes it?”

Franny flinched and took a step back. Yep, and there was the answer plain as day. She’d never been able to handle my missing leg, and I knew she never would. The day she’d left had been a blessing. As much as I’d cared about her, I’d always felt like I couldn’t relax in my own home when she was here. The blinders had come off. I no longer saw Franny as a sweet, helpless woman who needed me. She’d used me and I’d been a dumbass and let her.

“What the fuck is going on?” Dagger asked.

“Franny can’t handle Wolf’s leg not being whole. She told him to go put pants on to cover it up,” Glory said. She pointed a finger at Franny and snarled like a rabid animal. “That bitch isn’t coming in this house.”

Dagger held up his hands. “I’ll take her over to Slash’s place. Maybe the VP can figure something out. I didn’t have the entire story when I knocked on the door.”

The tension eased from Glory and I pulled her against my side, wrapping my arm around her waist to anchor her just in case she decided to go after Franny. I only wanted the best for Fran, even though I knew we were wrong for each other. I hoped she found happiness and acceptance.

“I’m sorry, Fran,” I said. “Even if you’d stayed, I don’t think we’d have remained together. The moment I met Glory, I knew she was the one for me. And I’m not saying that to hurt you. There’s a lucky guy out there who’s perfect for you. But it’s not me.”

“Come on,” Dagger said, reaching to gently take her arm. “Let’s go see Slash. Maybe he’ll let you stay in one of the duplexes until you get shit figured out.”

Glory tried to take a step closer to the door, but I held on tight. “In case you didn’t get the message, you aren’t welcome in this house. Don’t come back.”

Before I could react, Glory slammed the door and twisted the lock.

“I can’t believe her!” Glory tore herself from my grasp and stomped into the kitchen. I followed in her wake, a half-smile on