“Um, sounds too good to be true. What’s the catch?”
“It needs work. The owner was elderly and his daughter lives in California. She just wants to sell and be done, so it’s undervalued.”
“Can I see it?”
“Yeah, baby, of course. We can look at it tonight if you want. We can bring Nova.”
“Okay, that sounds amazing, honey. I’ll see you when I get home.”
“Cool. I’m pickin’ Nova up in an hour. I’ll wait to fill her in.”
“Sounds good. I have to get back, honey.”
“Love you.”
“Love you too.”
She hung up and I did one more walk through before meeting back with Sterling and discussing terms. I wasn’t about to let this deal slip through my fingers.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Shutter
“I CAN’T BELIEVE we bought a house,” Catalina breathed out, leaning heavily against me as we hung out with our family in the great room.
It was a week later, and our offer was just accepted on the fixer upper that had so much potential, Catalina felt like we were stealing from the seller, and I kind of agreed. The club had decided to throw an impromptu family night to celebrate not only our good news, but Rabbit’s return home a few days ago.
I chuckled, kissing her temple. “I can’t believe we’ve only got three months to remodel it.”
“I never said three,” Catalina said, sitting up and facing me. “Two. You have two months to do it. Nova needs a stable home.”
I raised an eyebrow. “She has one.”
“My beautiful man, a little girl surrounded twenty-four-seven by bikers isn’t a stable home.” Catalina squeezed my knee. “Coming to family night is fun and stable. Living in a barn with all of you, not so much.”
I chuckled. “Fair.”
“We’ll get it done,” Doom promised, handing me a beer before sitting across from us. “Provided you make some quick decisions on the plans.”
Catalina sighed. “The problem is, I’m visual. I have to see something before I can wrap my mind around it. Floor plans don’t make sense to me.”
“I can do some 3-D modeling for you if that would help,” Otter offered. His wife, Shiloh was currently on his lap and their toddler, Bodhi, was on hers.
“You’d do that for me?” Catalina asked.
“No problem at all.”
I tipped my beer toward him. “Thanks, brother.”
I didn’t get a chance to take a sip before my phone buzzed in my pocket, so I shifted Cat slightly to pull it out. It was Zim. “Were your ears burnin’?” I asked. Zim sighed. That didn’t sound good. “You okay?”
“Yeah, son. I’m wondering if you can come down to Savannah PD.”
“Uh, why?”
He sighed again. “I’d rather not discuss it over the phone, Silas. You’re not in trouble, but we need to talk.”
“Not big on cops, Zim. Not ones I don’t know, anyway.”
“Yes, I absolutely understand, but this is important.”
I dragged my hands down my face and Catalina slid her hand to my chest. “I’m not comin’ alone.”
“Bring whomever you want, son. You’ll be walking out on your own accord. I give you my word.”
“Okay. Give me thirty.”
I hung up, sliding my phone back in my pocket.
“What’s going on?” Catalina asked.
I noticed Doc had walked over and I rose to my feet. “Zim wants me down at Savannah PD.”
“Why?” Doc asked.
I shrugged. “He didn’t say. Just that I’d be walking out of there on my own. He gave me his word I wasn’t being lit up.”
“Well, we’re gonna make sure,” my prez said, and let out a shrill whistle before raising his hand and spinning it. “Team one, saddle up!”
Ten of my closest brethren walked toward me, ready to have my back, and my fear subsided… somewhat.
“Cat, you go with them,” Willow said. “We’ve got Nova.”
Nova was actually already in bed, so the fact we didn’t need to wake her was a huge help.
“I don’t want this touching her,” I argued.
“If you think you’re keeping me away from you right now, you’re high,” Catalina growled, already up and grabbing her jacket. “You don’t go through this shit alone anymore, Silas.” She grabbed my arm. “I’m your goddamned person.”
I cupped her face, kissing her hard and fast. “I fuckin’ love you.”
“I fucking love you too. Now let’s go.”
I pulled her close as I led her out to her car and drove us down to the police department, the roar of the pipes reassuring me that my brothers followed close.
* * *
Catalina
I gripped Silas’s hand like a talisman as we pulled up to the police station and I faced him after he’d turned off the ignition. “Whatever happens, I’ve got your back. I’m also willing to smash my car through the wall should you need to break out.”
Silas grinned. “I don’t think it’s gonna come to that, but I love you for sayin’ it.”
“Remember, I love you.”
“Love you too, baby.”
He kissed me quickly, then we headed inside where an older gentleman walked toward us, a gentle smile on his face. He was shorter than I expected, salt and pepper hair that was curly but clipped closed to his head. His eyes were kind as he studied my man, holding his hand out. “Silas.”
“Hey, Zim,” Silas said, taking his hand and pulling him in for a hug.
“Is this your girl?” Zim asked, and I smiled as Silas pulled me forward.
“I’m Catalina.”
Zim shook my hand gently and nodded. He opened his mouth to say something, but the sound of heavy boots on the vinyl floor stopped him.
“Lincoln,” Zim said, shaking Doom’s hand. “How are you?”
“Good, Zim.” He smiled, nodding toward Lyric. “This is my wife, Lyric. She’s also Shutter’s attorney.”
“It’s wonderful to meet you,” Zim said. “But he doesn’t need an attorney.”
“Well, I’m here should anything change,” Lyric said.
“I can fit three of you in,” Zim said. “So besides Catalina, who do you want with you?”
Silas immediately looked to my brother who nodded, stepping forward. “Shadow.”
“Nice to meet you,” Zim said. “Come on back.”
I held onto Silas’s arm as tight as I could as we followed Zim down a dimly lit hall and into a small interview room where he waved toward three chairs by the wall. “Have a seat.”
Silas guided me in front of him and I sat between him and Nolan, while Zim sat across from us and slid a file toward Silas.
“What’s this?” Silas asked.
“It’s my apology,” Zim said.
Silas frowned, opening the file. “This is Cat’s place.”
“Yeah. We have evidence that points to Bruce Bly setting the fire.”
“Bruce did this? Set my woman’s home on fire with her and my little girl inside?”
“Looks that way,” Zim confirmed. “I’m so sorry, son. I had no idea Bruce knew where you were. If I’d known, I would have stopped this.”
“Wait,” I said. “Who’s Bruce?”
“Billy’s dad,” Silas provided, then looked up from the file and focused on Zim. “How do you know?”
“We’re closing in on the anniversary, so I’ve been watching him. I always watch a little closer this time of year.”
“And you didn’t think to fill me in on that?” he growled.
“This is where the apology comes in,” Zim said. “I thought I had a handle on him. I also had no clue he knew where you were.” He dragged his hands through his hair. “I shoulda looked out more.”
Silas pushed up from his chair and I stood with him, wrapping my arms around his waist. “We’re okay, honey,” I reminded him.
His hand went to the back of my neck and he held me close. “Where is
he?”
“He’s in custody,” Zim said.
“Where?”
“Can’t tell you that, son. You know I can’t.”
Silas pulled away from me, slamming his fists on the table. “He almost murdered my family!”
Nolan laid his hand on Silas’s shoulder, but he shrugged my brother off.
“I know, son,” Zim said. The lawman didn’t seem bothered by Silas’s anger, just sat in his seat, and waited for him to work it out.
“What happens now?” I asked, resting my hand on Silas’s back.
“Depends on how he pleads.”
“So, a trial?” Silas snapped, but sat back and I tugged on his arm.
“If he pleads not guilty, yes,” Zim confirmed.
Silas linked his fingers with mine. “Jesus Christ.”
“Are you sure it was him?” I asked.
“Yeah,” Zim said. “I was tracking him and have a few friends here on the force, so they filled me in. They caught him last week, but it took a minute for them to figure out he was the same guy I was watching.”
“They’ve had him in custody this long?” Silas growled. “And no one thought to let us know?”
I squeezed his hand, reminding him I was there.
“I’m really sorry, Silas,” Zim said. “He won’t slip through my fingers again. And I’ll make damn sure you’re never left out of the loop again.”
Silas turned to me. “Can you and Shadow give us a minute.”
“Are you sure?” I asked.
“Yeah, baby.”
I nodded, rising to my feet and leaning down to kiss him before following my brother out of the room.
* * *
Shutter
“Why the fuck won’t these people leave me alone?” I ground out.
“Well, in the case of Bruce Bly, he’s grieving, son. It doesn’t excuse his behavior, but I do understand it.”
I dropped my face in my hands, suddenly feeling very defeated. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”
Zim sat beside me and laid his hand on my shoulder. “I know. Hold onto that, Silas. You’ve always been such an inspiration to me.”
“To you?” I rasped. “How the fuck does that work?”
Zim smiled. “Bud, you nearly lost your life protecting your brother. You were locked up for something you didn’t do, worse yet, your own parents tried to frame you for it. And with all of that, you’re sitting here, with me, showing me the beautiful woman you’ve given your heart to and the little girl you’ve taken into your life when you didn’t have to.”
“How did you know about that?”
“Did you forget Sterling’s a good friend? He fills me in. At least, he does when Lyric fills him in.”
I snorted. There was no way in hell Doom would ever ‘share’ information about one of us. But Lyric doing it made sense.
“Why’d you send me away?” I whispered, immediately wanting to drag the pussy-ass words back into my mouth. Jesus, Cat was makin’ me weak.
Zim hissed out a breath like he’d been sucker punched. “Damn it, I should have listened to Barb.”
“Come again?”
“We didn’t want to send you anywhere,” Zim said. “Swear to god. You were gettin’ death threats.”
“What?”
Zim nodded. “We knew we couldn’t keep you safe which is why I reached out to Sterling. It was all about protecting you.” He leaned in, making sure I was meeting his eyes. “We would have kept you forever. And if I’d listened to my wife back then, you wouldn’t have spent the last ten years or so thinkin’ yet another person didn’t want you. I just assumed you’d feel weird if we fussed over you. I told her you knew how we felt about you. Lord, son, I was wrong. I’ll be forever sorry for that, but if you’ll let me make it up to you, I will.” Zim squeezed my shoulder.
I found it hard to find my words, and luckily, I didn’t have to because Zim kept going, “I’m proud to know you, Silas. You are the best of us.”
I dropped my head to my hands. “Then why won’t this fuckin’ end, Zim?”
“It will. I swear it. I told you I’m not gonna retire until this is done. We’re getting close.” He squeezed my shoulder. “You still having nightmares?”
“Yeah, but not as many.”
I remember right after getting out, I’d wake up more than a couple times a week with Barb holding me tight, quietly singing to me.
“You ever want to talk about them, I’m here, son.”
“Thanks.” I sighed. “What I need is for my girls to be safe.”
“They will be,” Zim pressed. “You’ve got a brotherhood that’ll make sure, and I’ll also keep an eye out.”
I nodded.
“I’m sorry I didn’t catch him sooner,” Zim said quietly.
“None of this is on you.”
“Well, it’s not on you either.”
I pressed my knuckles against my eyes, suddenly exhausted.
A knock at the door had Zim leaving my side to pull it open, and Catalina stepped inside again. “Sorry. I just need to make sure he’s okay.”
Zim stood back and she looked to me.
I met her eyes, holding my hand out to her. “I’m good, baby.”
She came to me immediately and I rose to my feet, wrapping my arms around her.
“How long are you in town?” I asked Zim.
“At least a week.”
“Can we take you to dinner?” Catalina asked. “You need to meet Nova.”
Zim smiled. “I would love that.”
“I’ll reach out,” I promised, and Zim nodded.
“Can I take him home now?” Catalina asked.
“Yeah. Definitely.”
Catalina smiled, pulling away from me and hugging Zim. “It was really nice to meet you.”
“You, too.” He hugged her back. “I’m sorry it wasn’t sooner and under better circumstances.”
Catalina nodded, sliding back into my arms. “Let’s go home.”
“Okay, baby.”
Zim walked us out where my brothers waited, and then we headed home, just as Zim promised we would.
* * *
Catalina
I crawled up Silas’s body as I swallowed every ounce of his cum. I had just performed a rather inspired blow job, if I did say so myself. Granted, he’d already given me two quite spectacular orgasms, so I had demanded to return the favor. It was our first time without using condoms and I couldn’t get enough.
“I think that might go down in history,” he said, rolling me to my back.
“The fact you actually let me finish?” I teased.
He grinned. “Never been given head that good.”
“Liar,” I retorted, and he gripped my chin gently.
“It has never, not fuckin’ once, been that good.”
“Okay, honey.” I let the warmth of his words cover me and I smiled. “Did you want to share what you and Zim talked about when Nolan and I left the room?”
“He wanted me.”
“What?” I breathed out.
“He said that he and Barb wanted to keep me forever, but I was gettin’ death threats, so they felt it was safer for me if I came here.”
I sat up slightly, forcing myself not to burst into tears. “Did you ask him?”
He studied me, then gave me a slight nod, filling me in on the full extent of the conversation he’d had with Zim.
I could no longer hold back the tears.
“What the fuck, Cat?” Silas pulled me onto his chest. “What just happened?”
“I knew there was something more. I knew the second I met him, he loved you and had your back. I could see it written all over his face.”
“You could see all that?”
“Yes!” I sobbed out. “I’m so proud of you, honey. So fucking proud, it’s not even funny.”
He chuckled. “Why are you proud of me?”
“Because you opened your heart and asked him about it. That took a lot of guts.” I slid my fingers into his
hair. “And I’m so glad that he’s the person I’d hoped he’d be for you. You got dealt a shit sandwich in the form of egg and sperm donors, but it is apparent to me that Zim saw you for who you are… utter perfection… and he gave you a glimpse of what a father should be. Even if it wasn’t long enough for his liking, it sounds like it’ll be a lifetime of futures with them, and I can’t wait for our kids to grow up with real grandparents.”
“Jesus, fuckin’ Christ, woman,” Silas breathed out, kissing me deeply. “I think I must have saved nuns and puppies in a past life to deserve you.”
“Then I must have saved all the priests and the kitties to deserve you.”
He grinned, wiping my tears away with his thumbs. “You make me brave, Catalina.”
I knew what that meant. I knew that he was telling me I gave him the permission to ask for things he didn’t think he deserved, and I took that in.
All the way to my soul.
Cherishing his words.
Cherishing him.
“I love you, honey. Zim’s right. You are the best of us.”
His mouth landed on mine and he kissed me long, and he kissed me deep. “You want a big wedding?” he asked once we came up for air.
“Have you met me?”
He chuckled. “Courthouse?”
“Barn,” I corrected. “Just us and my coworkers. Melonie as my maid of honor, Nova as flower girl, obviously. But I want Zim and his wife there as well.”
“I want us official before we move in.”
“If I can find the perfect dress, we can get official next week.”
“You start shopping tomorrow,” he demanded, and I laughed.
“Aye, aye, Cap’n,” I replied with a salute.
“Mommy!” Nova screamed, and I sat up with a start.
“I’ll get her, baby,” Silas said, already pulling on a pair of sweats and a T-shirt.
He left me to tend to her and I cleaned up quickly before meeting him back in bed. We didn’t talk again, I think we were both talked out, but I heard exactly what he said as he held me close and we both fell asleep wrapped up in each other.
I had never felt peace like this. Ever.
Revealing the Biker's Destiny (Dogs of Fire: Savannah Chapter Book 9) Page 15