The Ties That Bind 1
Page 24
I have visions of many things
But happiness is just an illusion
Filled with sadness and confusion
She would get over him, Billy thought resolutely. In time, she would forget the way those slightly rough-hewn hands touched her eager body, that devastating smile that touched her heart, and the need to constantly touch one another. How it felt to ride behind him on his bike. How it felt when he rode her from behind—
“Did you enjoy your trip, Willamina?” Neville’s polite but stilted voice interrupted Billy’s dirty thoughts.
I’ll be searching everywhere
Just to find someone to care
I’ll be looking every day, I know I’m gonna find a way
Nothing’s gonna stop me now
“Yes, I did. I didn’t know what I’d expect to find here, but it was so much more than I was expecting,” she responded. It was true. Billy had never anticipated finding the two unexpected loves she now carried in her heart. “What made you decide to come and see me?”
Neville’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. “I received some unsolicited but good advice that I felt was in my best interests to heed. I was surprised to see that you were on your way back.”
Not to mention shocked when Willamina suggested they ride back together. Roger had accompanied him at Porsha’s insistence. The damned woman thought he was too old to travel by himself! Since he was already in the dog house, though, Neville kept his mouth shut and complied.
“From Grandmother?”
He could still hear Porsha’s blistering words stinging his ears. They were his constant tormentors, along with his damned pride that kept him awake at night and the too soft mattress in the guest house he’d been demoted to. But it was Marcus’s warning that really convinced him to come. Neville would rather eat tacks before he admitted that to his granddaughter.
“She did have something to say about my appalling behavior.”
Billy laughed lightly at his reluctant admission and flushed cheeks. “I’ll bet that took you by surprise.”
“Your grandmother is as unbending as an oak tree. People used to think that Melody and I were the same person, but she actually got her strength and determination from her mother.” Neville’s voice was thick with unshed tears that took both him and Billy by surprise. “It’s what made her a survivor and one of the many reasons I’m so proud of her.”
Billy wasn’t aware that this vulnerable side of Neville existed. She doubted her mother had ever been exposed to it. “And yet, you never told her.”
Neville shot her a shamed look before hastily averting his face. “Maybe you haven’t quite figured out that I’m a completely tactless idiot with a talent for putting my feet in my mouth when it comes to dealing with the people I love.”
“I hadn’t noticed,” Billy deadpanned, causing Neville to snort-laugh rudely.
“I have a degree in horticulture,” he began haltingly. “I found surrounding myself with plants preferable to people and enjoy their company much better. The solitude was welcoming for me as I don’t suffer fools lightly, nor do I try to. I can assimilate myself into social settings as needed but would rather not. While in college, I developed an interest in the family business and studied viticulture, the study of science and production of grapes. My family soon discovered that I possessed a talent for the business.
I can look at a picture of a grape and accurately guess its maturity, quality, and determine if it’s ready for harvest. I am rarely incorrect, Billy. In addition, I can predict what’s considered uncontrollable such as temperature and rain each year and the quality and number of grapes that will grow due to climatic factors.”
“Impressive. Your parents must have been very proud of you.”
Tonelessly, Neville stated, “They were and never missed a moment to parade me in front of people and extol on my accolades. I was very uncomfortable in the spotlight but learned to accept my place. The only person who saw this was a lovely young debutante named Porsha Norman. She was wildly popular, and the men of our set fiercely competed for her attention.”
“Yoooo! Grandma was a fly girl?” Billy teased and Neville permitted a pleased smile to grace his lips.
“Indeed, she was and still is. Legs for days and when she fluttered her eyelashes at me, I was completely unnerved. Didn’t think I could win her, but I tossed my hat in the ring anyway,” Neville reminisced fondly. “Imagine my surprise when I emerged the victor! I felt like I could have defeated Muhammad Ali all at once, with one armed tied behind my back!”
“Hey now!” Billy raised her hand and he high-fived her.
“Your grandmother was the only person who accepted me as I am and still is. She understands my struggles and acts as a buffer for my social ineptness, but I digress. The point I was trying to make was that in a setting I’m familiar with and can control, I’m sharp and focused. I know exactly what I should and should not do. Because of that, our family’s fortune has tripled and enabled us to live a comfortable lifestyle that when I’m long gone, you and your family will reap the rewards for generations to come.
But I failed in the most important area of my life. Being a father. I didn’t know how to show Melody that I loved her. How much I admired her. She was a feisty maverick! Her bold, impulsiveness left me feeling inadequate and floundering. I was such a big disappointment to her and it scared me, which in turn made me angry. I lashed out and tried to stifle her by making her conform to our standards so she would have no choice but to accept and understand me.
I failed her and the lengths she conspired to get away from our home finally made me realize I did more damage than I could ever do good. It’s a terrible feeling to know that your child could loathe you so much. That’s the reason I continued to stay away even after she left your father. When you were born, all I could think was, “Dear God, it’s starting all over again.” That my grandchild would hate me too and that’s exactly what happened.”
Neville’s breaths were coming in short and labored and a fine sheen of sweat covered his forehead.
“Pull over, Grandad,” Billy ordered.
She was surprised that he readily obeyed her. He pressed his head to the steering wheel while Billy turned on the emergency blinkers. Roger pulled up behind them, but Billy waved him off when he appeared and bent down on the driver’s side. His expression was anxious as he took in the formidable Neville Stanton’s vulnerable position. With grave concern, she watched as his shoulders began to spasm. Billy rubbed his back, hoping she was able to provide some sort of comfort for him.
“I never hated you. I just needed you to understand that I’m my own person and my mother’s daughter. Mom never hated you. If so, she never gave me any indications. I doubt she would have made arrangements for me to stay with you if she felt so strongly.”
“But I wasn’t sure how I felt about her in the end!” Neville confessed vehemently. He raised his head, allowing Billy to see his red-rimmed eyes. “I was so angry with her for dying because I thought I had all the time in the world to figure out how to repair the damage I’d done! Do you know what she said to me in the hospital?!”
“She apologized.” Billy leaned her head on his shoulder and held his hand. “Mom didn’t want to leave this world on bad terms with anyone. Said the bad juju would only be passed on to me.”
Face ravaged with grief, Neville looked much older than his sixty-two years. He was overwrought with emotion. Years of bottled-up pain and anguish were reflected in his voice. “She said, “It’s okay, Daddy. We’re going to be alright. You have to let me go now. Everything’s going to be okay; you’ll see. Haven’t I always proven you wrong? You know I live for that!”.”
Tears falling freely down his face, he turned to Billy with confusion. “Why would she say that? What did she even mean?! I’ve racked my brain continuously and still come up with nothing.”
“She meant me, Grandad,” Billy chided, nudging him playfully with her shoulder. At Neville’s surprised look,
she patiently elaborated. “Even though there wasn’t much time in the end, Mom thought of everything. Her insurance paid the house off. The remaining amount is set up as a monthly allowance for me, along with the child support Daddy sent her, until I’m twenty-one. That doesn’t even cover the savings account she opened for me and her trust fund from your parents and you. I didn’t have to come and live with you. She raised me to be self-sufficient and independent. Mom was giving you both a second chance through me.”
“I see.” Neville was dazed by Billy’s revelations. Dazed and somewhat hopeful. “W-Would you consider trying again? I would very much like us to try. I promise that I’ll do my best to be unprejudiced and communicate better. I won’t stifle you…Billy.”
Her nickname sounded so odd coming from him that she couldn’t help but laugh aloud, prompting Neville to give a small chuckle as well. He pulled his handkerchief from his lightweight, oatmeal-colored summer suit and removed his wire-framed glasses, wiping his face first then the glasses. “I give you my word that from now, I won’t judge you. Will I hold you accountable for your actions? Yes, but no judging from this moment on. If nothing else, I am a man of my word.”
He waited patiently while she considered him and took the opportunity to do some studying of his own. She looked so much like Melody that at times, it used to hurt him to look at her. He’d dealt with the crippling blow in the only way he knew how. By driving her away with cruel words until the pain receded and he could function again.
Neville was now able to see and appreciate her for what she was. Courageous, strong, smart, and beautiful. Willamina was a fine young woman, and he was honored to have her for a granddaughter.
“Casual Friday and Saturdays with jeans and sneakers for starters.”
Startled, Neville blustered, “Excuse me? Why do I have to—”
“Look at you! You took a road trip in a suit. Who does that?!” Billy threw her hands up with exasperation.
“What about chinos and loafers instead?” Neville looked pained as Billy pursed her lips thoughtfully. “At least on one of those days???”
“Fridays. I’m going to hold you to your promise as well. I want to enjoy my relationship with my grandparents and appreciate their wisdom, not have information hammered into me. I’m young and will probably make mistakes, but you have to trust me and let me live my life the way I see fit. I would never do anything to jeopardize your trust.”
“I can do that. I might have relapses, but between you and your grandmother, I’m sure you’ll get me back on track,” Neville said ruefully.
“One more condition.”
“What is it?”
Her impish expression made him leery of what was coming next.
“You have to be receptive to trying new things. You’re extremely stuffy and repressed. I’ve seen you eat pizza with a knife and fork! Loosen up a little and shake what your mama gave you,” she encouraged.
“As long as that works both ways. Your grandmother and I are going to Europe next week for two weeks. We’d love for you to go with us.” Neville turned off the emergency blinkers and put his turn single on.
One-on-one time with her grandparents and a trip would help Billy to take her mind off a certain green-eyed, bad boy biker. Not her heart, but these were baby steps and she was confident in time she would get there.
“I’d love to, thank you.”
“Have we settled everything?”
“I think that covers it. Just to be sure, let’s test the waters.”
Billy removed his oldies CD from the player and opened her case. After great consideration, she made a selection. Neville jumped as the loud, foreign music invaded the car.
Some say the blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice
I say the darker the flesh then the deeper the roots
“What is this garbage?!”
Whatever it was, it was entirely out of his comfort zone.
“Just a little friendly advice from my favorite rapper Tupac!”
“Heaven help me!” he groaned, pulling back onto the road as Billy rapped along with the brash thug. Why did she have to know every word?
But please don’t cry, dry your eyes, never let up
Forgive but don’t forget, girl, keep your head up
“Oh! I forgot to tell you!” Billy shouted over the music. “My dad is in my life to stay!”
“Correction!” Neville shouted back, cautiously bobbing his head to the surprisingly catchy beat. “He’s in our lives to stay!”
Gualtierro Barrera didn’t look like a man who was up to his eyeballs in drug trafficking, gun running, and pornography, Ransom observed as the tall, slender man with deep olive skin was escorted out of Inferno by a tense Raymundo and Frankie, the rest of their MC following behind. With his slick-backed black hair, dress slacks, button-down dress shirt, and cardigan tied over his shoulders, Barrera looked like a man of leisure instead of the ruthless killer and businessman he was reputed to be.
The meeting between Slade, Blaze, Thrasher, Prez of the Death Lords, and his VP Deacon, along with Raymundo, Frankie, and Barrera had not gone well for the Aztecs or the Capitán.
Now only bikers from the Immortals and Death Lords remained. Usually, when the three clubs got together for a monthly touch base, club colors were flying, but it was loose and relaxed. They’d shoot the shit, drink, and give all their money to the pussy at Petal Soft and Club Flex. However, Barrera’s visit had everyone on edge. With him gone, the chill mood was restored.
At the Immortals table, Thrasher spoke his mind on the meeting. Tattoos decorated his bald head, and his hazel eyes were full of condemnation. “I felt like turning my foot sideways up Vargas’ ass for that bullshit! He should’ve known better than to bring that maggot here for a sit-down!”
The other men unanimously agreed as Lorelai brought them another round of whiskey and purposely took her time collecting the used glasses and empty wing baskets.
“We ain’t fucking choir boys by a longshot but never have we dipped into selling skin,” Slade spat contemptuously. He was disappointed the meeting had been a waste of his time. “Vargas knows women and children are off-limits. Always have been. Thought this was about drugs.”
“He’s been fucked in the head since the death of his kin. Grief can possess a man and make ‘em do crazy things,” Deacon rumbled, censure and disappointment dripping from every word. “Hell, we all know someone who’s been through it, if not ourselves.”
The group knew he was referring to his kid sister who’d been murdered by a rival gang member of the Death Lords at the Laughlin River Run ten years ago. The unconfirmed rumor was that her killer had been turned over by his own club soon after and now resided in Deacon’s basement where he was tortured by the club for kicks.
Ransom noticed the meaningful eye contact between Pitch and his twin, and it set off his alarm bells. Shit. He delivered a warning kick to his brother’s foot under the table but it was ignored.
“I don’t think the offer was a bad one,” Harley protested loudly. “We’re surrounded by an unlimited supply of bitches who do whatever the fuck we tell them to all day! Why not get paid by trading our used goods in? Who’s gonna miss them?”
The ominous silence at the table, following his bold outburst, was louder than all the ruckus combined in the bar.
Ransom pushed his chair back and addressed his father. “Prez, we gotta finish the paint job on that classic Mustang.”
“Go,” Blaze ordered but directed his lethal stare at Harley who balked. “Now.”
“I don’t think my idea is a bad one! Just hear me out—”
“Take. The. Fucking. Walk.” Slade didn’t bother looking at the moron. He would deal with him later.
Harley pushed his chair back hard enough that it fell backward and stalked out of the bar with Ransom behind him.
They’d barely rounded the corner before he was all over his brother.
“Since when is human trafficking a great idea, Harley?”
Ransom couldn’t believe the shit coming out of his brother’s mouth. “It’s slavery, asshole! The club whores are here because they want to be. No one’s fucking making them stay!”
Harley saw the revulsion in his twin’s eyes. Mr. Fucking Perfect. Ransom always knew what to say or do or just when to step in and steal the spotlight. Sarcastically, he asked, “What are you, their spokesperson? Are you tryin’ to get them health insurance, too?”
“Keep on motherfucker,” Ransom warned softly, his eyes cold and flinty. “This ain’t church where we can speak our mind freely. You don’t break against Prez’s word in front of—”
“I got the right to speak my mind!”
Ransom shot him a pitying look and changed the subject. “I didn’t see you last night. I saw Pitch, but he disappeared. Where’d you guys go?”
“What are you supposed to be? My warden?” Harley growled. Aggravated, he dragged his fingers through his hair, eyes bouncing around and avoiding Ransom’s perceptive stare. “How the fuck would you know what was going on? You’re too busy with your little girlfriend to notice shit else around here.”
“Don’t bring her up again, Harley. I won’t repeat myself. Secondly, if you need to think of me as your warden to walk the fucking straight and narrow, then yeah, consider yourself my bitch.”
“The fuck you say to me?!” Harley snarled, eyes twitching and nostrils flaring.
“Did I fucking stutter?” Ransom goaded, shoving a finger in his brother’s face. “You need to get help for your problems and distance yourself from Pitch! I don’t know what the deal is between the two of you, but he can’t be trusted! You’re so fucking stupid that you can’t even see it!”
Harley’s laugh was rough and abrasive. “Trust? The fuck you know about trust?! You ain’t never trusted him, and now you’ve turned on me too! You’ll do anything to make me look bad so you can steal my spot! You’re the most disloyal motherfucker I kn—”