Tastes Like Candy (Lean Dogs Legacy Book 2) Read Online Free PDF

A tray landed in front of her. Two steaming cups of coffee and a slice of chocolate cake with two forks.
                  Michelle straightened as her aunt slid in across from her. “I thought you didn’t eat sugar.”
                  “I don’t, which is why we’re splitting it.” A fork was extended toward her. “Eat some of it. Chocolate fixes everything.”
                  Since that was mostly true, Michelle forked up a bite of cake and forced herself to chew and swallow it. It was canteen cake, but not terrible. There were even sprinkles in the icing.
                  “They’re giving you grief, aren’t they?” Raven asked.
                  “Who?”
                  Dramatic eye roll. “Those idiot new recruits of Phillip’s. They’re being men , as I would expect no less, and it’s got you all turned around. I’ve never seen you like this,” she added, growing serious. “It’s eating at you, being treated like you’re worthless.”
                  “Not just worthless. But like a liability.” It felt good to say it to someone like this, woman-to-woman, who would understand in a way none of her uncles could. “Like I’m somehow damaging to the club,” she said bitterly.
                  Raven regarded her a long moment, sipping her coffee. “It’s time, then.”
                  “For…”
                  “To take your talents somewhere they’ll be appreciated.” When Michelle started to argue, she pressed on: “Not only are they stupid for not valuing your contribution, but it’s bloody dangerous. Look what happened today. Chelle, I say this to you as a fellow woman: leave the club behind. You deserve so much more than this, love. It’s time to take your life back.”
     
    ~*~
     
    After two shared slices of cake, Raven walked her back up to the room, kissed her on the cheek, and left before any “biker grunge” could rub off on her nice suit.
                  “You’re a princess, Raven,” Albie called after her, and she lifted a hand over her head in farewell.
                  Tommy’s door opened to emit Rudy, Finn, and Bryce. The Dumbass Squad, in the flesh. They were laughing about something and stopped when they saw her, chuckles dying away.
                  “Michelle,” Rudy greeted, and though his tone was respectful, she saw the dark glint in his eyes.
                  She gave them a stiff nod, slipped past them, and shut the door.
                  Tommy was still awake, his bed elevated, even, but he was as white as the pillowcase beneath his head. As she approached the bed, the smile he’d pasted on for his friends began to fade, face falling slack and exhausted.
                  “You need to sleep some more,” she said, taking the seat she’d had before.
                  “And miss that riveting story about Delilah the stripper’s special talent?” He nodded toward the door and she suppressed a chuckle.
                  “More sleep and smarter friends.”
                  “I won’t argue with you there.” He reached to adjust his blanket and winced.
                  Michelle surged to her feet. “Here, let me. Don’t hurt yourself.”
                  He settled back with a deep, pained sigh as she straightened his sheets and tucked them in around his chest. He had goosebumps on his arms; he was cold. If he would have allowed it, she would have taken the covers up to his chin. As it was, she made a mental note to ask the nurse to turn the heat up.
                  “Chelle.”
                  When she looked at his face, it was blurry, and she realized she was about to cry yet again.
                  “I’m okay,” he said, voice unsteady.
                  “I