Unfinished Business: A Bastards of Boston Novel

by Carina Adams

  We didn’t tell anyone anything more than we were going away for a long weekend. We’d announce it when we got back. This was about the two of us, no one else.

  When the two little pink lines appeared on the pregnancy test a few days before we’d left, we’d been in shock. We’d sat cuddled up on our bed in the studio—him staring at the test in his large hand, me watching the sun rise over the city.

  “We’re gonna need a bigger place,” was all I’d managed to say, not knowing what to feel.

  Becoming a mom at my age wasn’t uncommon, but it also wasn’t as easy as it would have been ten years before. I was healthier—both physically and mentally—than I had ever been. It was the unknown that terrified me.

  Rob and I had never talked about children. I’d never even asked if he wanted more. It seemed like a disrespectful thing to ask. Hannah could never be replaced.

  Rob had nodded. “What about Uncle Liam’s farm?” he’d asked, straight faced. “That way, my sisters and your parents will be nearby if we need them. I know you’ll want Katie close. And she’ll love having us there.”

  He’d been having work done at the farm for months, an entire overhaul, really. A large addition had been added and the whole place had been modernized. So he could rent it out or keep it as a safe house for some of our families. He hadn’t decided yet.

  “Can you think of a better place to raise kids?” He probed.

  Kids. Not kid. I hadn’t known how to respond.

  Finally, I’d spit out, “What about the club?”

  He’d smiled slowly. “I’ll figure it out. Matty does it; I can, too.” My brother split his time between Maine, where his son Sammy lived, and Boston. He’d done it for years. And managed to keep a balance. Rob could, too.

  “And when you come home battered and bruised?”

  He’d shrugged. “Then our kids will know I’ll do whatever it takes to keep them safe. They’ll learn early that it’s our job to protect those who can’t protect themselves.”

  That was a good answer.

  “The only thing I’m worried about right now is the two of you.” He’d pressed a hand to my stomach and kissed me, deep and slow. “Marry me. Right now. Let’s leave today. Fuck everything else.”

  We’d gotten up, packed our shit, loaded the bike, and ridden straight here.

  “What are we going to tell our child,” I mused as I stared out at the water, loving the feeling of his arms holding me tight. “When they realize Mommy and Daddy got married seven months before he or she was born?”

  Rob mused for a minute. “We tell them the truth. That I’ve been in love with their mom since I was fifteen. And that I’m going to love her until the end. We just took the slow route.”

  “My knight in shining armor got lost and refused to ask for directions?” I teased.

  “Or their mother was a stubborn brat who never did what she was told and drove me out of my fucking mind.”

  “Well, maybe if their father,” I seethed, annoyed, “wasn’t such a complete controlling dick—”

  He turned me, gripped my chin with one hand and kissed me breathless, cutting off my rant.

  “I fucking love you, Princess.”

  I grinned. “I love you back.”

  UB Playlist

  Ever wonder what I listen to while I’m writing?

  It all depends on what the characters are feeling and what they enjoy. I use music to set the scene. These songs, played in this order, are what was playing when I wrote UB. If you would like to have access to my Spotify playlist, send me a quick email.

  Come Join the Murder – The White Buffalo

  Hurt – Johnny Cash

  Breakeven – The Script

  i hate u, i love u – gnash

  Break On Me – Keith Urban

  Can’t Be Replaced – Dierks Bentley

  You Don’t Own Me – Grace

  If I Told You – Darius Rucker

  Too Close – Alex Clare

  In Case You Didn’t Know – Brett Young

  Rock Bottom – Hailee Steinfeld

  Kiss You Tonight – David Nail

  Read Me My Rights – Brantley Gilbert

  Photograph – Ed Sheeran

  The Outsiders – Eric Church

  Here Without You – 3 Doors Down

  Give In to Me – Garret Hedlund

  Tangled Up in You - Staind

  I Got You – The White Buffalo

  Where’d You Go – Fort Minor

  Even Angels Fall – Jessica Riddle

  Dark Side – Eric Church

  Mercy – Shawn Mendes

  Bullet In a Bonfire – Brantley Gilbert

  Snuff – Slipknot

  Angels and Alcohol – Alan Jackson

  Love Don’t Die – The Fray

  Tin Man – Miranda Lambert

  Anymore – Travis Tritt

  Apologize – OneRepublic

  Best I Ever Had – Gary Allen

  Break Up In A Small Town – Sam Hunt

  Hurricane – Luke Combs

  Different For Girls – Dierks Bentley

  Any Ol’ Barstool – Jason Aldean

  Over You – Miranda Lambert

  Gone Too Soon - Daughtry

  Unsteady – X Ambassadors

  Crazy Train – Ozzy Osbourne

  Keep on Loving You – REO Speedwagon

  Notes From Carrie

  Everyone says that you should write about what you know.

  Four years ago I was sitting at an outside cafe with some friends chatting about a horrific local case that had been all over the news and social media. I remember saying that my husband and his friends would never stop searching for me if I disappeared because they protect me and my kids at all costs. I made some comment about how I wished everyone had that—a group of men who would do whatever it took to protect the people they love.

  And, The Bastards were born. They're fictitious, yet each Bastard (and Brat) is based on a real person—someone I know.

  Rocker has been a book three years in the making. Some of you have been waiting a long time for him; I really hope he and Cris, and their story, lived up to your expectations. UB is one of those books that I wanted to go one way, but the characters fought to have it go in an entirely different direction. It was a surprise to me, but it is absolutely perfect for these characters.

  I cried while writing this book. A lot. Hannah’s death, and the way everyone copes with it, destroyed me. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to read the grave scene because I feel his pain – I feel Ali’s. It’s too much for me.

  I’ve been asked a lot if there are more Bastard books coming. There are. I want Tank’s story. I want Jessie to get her HEA. However, I don’t have release dates.

  If UB was your first introduction to the Bastards of Boston, you can read more. UB is a spinoff from the Bastards MC Duet, Lay It Down, which tells the tale of Mateo and Jo.

  Acknowledgments

  I’m always afraid I’m going to forget someone. If I missed you, I’m sorry!

  First and foremost, For those of you who have been waiting three years for Rocker (Jenn H. and Jennifer S. - I’m talking to you): You hung in there and supported my other books, even though I made you constantly ask, “Hey, when’s Rob coming?” You are amazing! Thank you for never giving up on me.

  Tabitha: Thank you for the amazing title!

  Stefanie and Kelli: There is a continent and a three-hour time difference between us, but somehow you managed to hold my hand anyway. There were moments where I really thought you’d kill me (cough, cough, Stef), but you never gave up. Your constant support is appreciated more than I can explain. One day we’re going to be in the same part of the country and I am going to squeeze you so freaking hard. I LOVE you two! How is it that you don’t have nicknames yet?

  Robin: I sent you a picture and said, “Make it amazing!” Instead, you made it phenomenal. I think this is my favorite cover. Ever. It is perfect!

  Julia: You’re stuck with me. A
nd not just because I can’t figure out when to add a period instead of adding a coma at the end of dialogue. Lol

  Ena: Thank you for all of your help! You rocked it!

  Grey: Your notes made me laugh until I cried. Thank you for stepping out of your comfort zone for me, even if I did make you write things that you NEVER thought you’d write (and I never thought I’d read from you). Lol

  Trista: You are amazing and a wonderful friend. I’m blessed to have you.

  Amy Briggs: Just because. That is all.

  AJ: I love you girl. I miss our chats and promise that now that I’m done, I’ll be back!

  Barbies: I feel like we need a new name for our group. You guys are the reason I write. You make me laugh, you pull me through, you let me share your lives with you. You support me—no matter what. Thank y’all the most.

  TWOTs: Thank you for the laughs. And understanding. Always. It’s comforting to have friends like y’all.

  Sparkles and Glitters: I feel like I had some amazing words of wisdom or some random funny. You both know how my mind works. I’ll remember it as soon as I hit publish. So, until I remember, *insert your own mushy shit here*.

  JC and LR: This indie thing would be a hell of a lot murkier and harder to navigate if you weren’t always just a phone call or a text away. I’ll be right here, in your corner, whenever you need me.

  Peaches and Nicole: The two of you can bring a smile to my face without even trying. I’m so thankful for you.

  Bloggers: You take time out of your busy day to share my releases and sales, to promote my words and the imaginary people who live in my head. I can never thank you enough!

  Readers: Thank you for spending your hard earned money on my words. I hope that I never let you down.

  November and Samms: My first book without you. And it seems weird.

  And, finally, for the real Bastards in my life. Tank (Phil), Rocker (Dylan), Tiny (Steven), Queer Greer (Jeff G), Mateo (Matty), Snuffy (Jack), Bear (Derek), Dean (Jeremy), Hawk (Billy) and Neo (Jeff M). I love you. Thank you for loving me back.

  About the Author

  An avid reader who loves epic and unconventional romance, Carina Adams has an unhealthy obsession with Jason Statham, loves the sounds of Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson, its the crazy friend your mom warned you about, and believes one day she will go through the stones to meet Jamie Fraser.

  Carina has been writing and creating characters for as long as she can remember, allowing her to fall in love with the next man of her dreams with every new story.

  None of which are anything like boring Prince Charming.

  Thankfully, fate stepped in and granted her the ultimate wish —a life full of men. Carina lives in a picturesque New England town with her husband—the man who ruined the thought of all others—and two amazing sons who always keep her on her toes.

  When she isn’t trying to juggle the responsibilities of being a working mom, you can find her with her nose pressed against her kindle, on the back of her husband’s motorcycle, or living life vicariously as her Derby Girl persona, Writers Block.

  Forget Prince Charming

  @CarinaAWrites

  carinaadamswrites

  www.carinaadams.com

  carinaadamswrites@gmail.com

  Also by Carina Adams

  The Bastards

  Always Been Mine

  Honey Whiskey

  The Bama Boys

  Forever Red

  Out of The Blue

  Blurry

  Standalone Titles

  Almost Innocent

  Lucky

  #momFail