“I should have water-boarded your ass for that shit last time.”
“You’d of had the right to,” he says. “Happens in the future? Do it.”
I don’t know when this cocksucker grew a spine, but he did. The club’s good for a lot of things, and unfortunately, one of those things is teaching mouthy boys how to be men.
Goddamn it.
“I got your blessing?” he asks.
Yeah, he does. But fuck if I’m gonna make it that easy on the motherfucker.
I reach out and grab him by the back of his neck. He doesn’t fight me nor does he blink. He’s a rock, just like his dad. That old bastard should be around here somewhere. I squeeze as hard as I can knowing I’m going to leave a nasty bruise. I hope it lasts for at least a week. His jaw tenses, but that’s the only indication that I’m hurting him. Leaning in, I shove my chest against his. My words come out as a hiss.
“I don’t give a fuck how much shit you’ve done for your patch. Doesn’t matter how many people you’ve seen suffer and die, no matter how much vengeance you’ve dealt—you ain’t seen or experienced shit until you’ve hurt my little girl. This is your one fucking chance—your last fucking chance. Be the man she needs. Anything less and you’re dead.”
“Yes, Sir,” he says as steady and cool as can be. Only two reasons a man in his position isn’t angry or flustered by this. He’s either completely insane, or he’s completely in love.
And fuck me if I’m not grateful that if this shit has to happen, it’s with him. Not that I like the prick or anything.
I release him with a violent flip of my wrist. He stumbles a bit, but then straightens his back and lifts his chin. We walk back into the ballroom and join our family. Basically is here—most of us have been in the city for a day or two now since it’s quite a trip. Duke and Nic stand with Holly. Their daughter, Robin, who is two now, stands in front of Charlie’s stroller and is talking with her. I never know what the fuck they’re trying to say to each other, but I’m damn sure they’re conspiring. Alex and Ryan are close by. Took him long enough, but he finally told her she’s gonna marry him. Guess she said yes, judging by the size of the rock on her finger. Ian is talking to Ruby, and I think Elle’s supposed to show up at some point. She said she might have to work, but I can’t keep track of her schedule. Diesel isn’t showing, which is fine. Jim not showing chaps my ass, but what the fuck am I gonna do about it? Asshole. Wyatt is already seated with Mindy by his side and Butch a few chairs down. My mom is on Mindy’s other side, but when she spots Holly, she taps Mindy’s shoulder and they get up and go to love on the babies. Women.
An announcer starts the ceremony, and we all scramble to find seats in the limited space. There’s plenty of standing room, so I opt for standing behind Holly’s chair. My mom sits next to her with Charlie in her lap.
Baby Boy comes to stand next to me. Robin is standing on Duke’s lap and jumping up and down to reach her uncle. I still don’t know what the fuck it is about girls and this prick. Without even looking back, Duke lifts her over his head and Jeremy takes her. She rests comfortably in his arms and places her head on his shoulder.
My brain is assaulted with images of the bastard with his own kid. My stomach rolls violently. The pot brownies I ate last night aren’t sitting right with me all of a sudden.
The ceremony drags on with the only highlight being when Chey takes the stage. She’s dressed in her white uniform with black shoes and her chef’s hat. She looks like the Pillsbury dough boy—silly as hell. But she wanted this, and she’s good at it. I’m proud of her for doing this. She made a hard choice, one I’m not sure I would have made, and it’s paying off. Once they get through the list of the graduates, there are a few closing words, and then the kids toss their chef’s hats in the air. When everybody stands to cheer on the graduates, I lean down and ease Holly up.
Wrapping my arms around her, I whisper in her ear, “Can’t believe she’s grown.” She nods and tears up as Chey approaches us. I step out into the aisle to give her a hug. She’s still a good twenty feet away, but I want to be first. Jeremy steps out beside me and her eyes dart between us. Robin is off with Duke once more. Chey gives Jeremy a wink and picks up her pace until she’s running. He’s her guy now, I remind myself. Dear Old Dad is second fiddle. My shoulders slump, and I give her a sad smile.