“Look, Jenni, I know that you and Lick are new, but seriously. If you love him and you want this, then go get married. We did. It’s about you two and no one else–”
Just as the spoonful of yummy goodness hits my lips, I pull back. “Wait, what?”
Her mouth clamps down on the spoon currently in her mouth. Opening her mouth, she continues, “Anyway, if you need to make sure you’re a family and stay a family, then you need to do what needs to be done.”
“Let’s back up a few steps. I need you to repeat the first part of our conversation.”
“Repeat what?” Lick’s voice comes from the backdoor.
“Oh, just the part where Sin and Savannah got married.”
“No shit?” he says while he walks up behind me, pulling me into his chest before placing a kiss to my temple.
“This is crazy. There’s no way you guys got married. Your parents would kill you if you got married without them.”
“And that’s why only Matty and I know—well, knew. It was something important to us. It wasn’t about having our families or friends seeing us pledge our love for each other. It was about our family: Sienna Grace, Matthew and me. That’s why the day we got to bring Grace home, we made a stop and made our family official.”
“That fucking sly dog. He hasn’t even told his mom?”
“Nope. She thinks he’s planning something on Grace’s first birthday.”
“That’s cra–zy.” I laugh. “I can’t believe that.”
I’m happy for them. I know they love each other like mad, and I feel when you have that kind of love, you don’t need to label it with anything. Sin has struggled to get where he is today. He deserves the happiness, especially when he felt like he wasn’t worthy for so long. And Savannah, more than anyone, deserves to get her happy. That little girl and Sin have made her life complete. I’m in awe of what they share as a family, and I hope to have the same thing. Looking at Lick, I wonder if I’ll be able to have the same thing.
“So anyway, as I was saying, you need to do what you must do for your family. That’s what having kids is all about. Sacrifice. It’s up to you to figure out what are the right sacrifices for them.”
“What the fuck is she talking about?”
“Oh, she thinks we need to get married.”
Wiping his hand over his mouth, he closes his eyes. “Fuck me,” he says with a groan.
The slamming of the steel bars radiates through my body. Arms stretched at my sides, the guards do their usual pat down. This routine is like second nature to me. The feel of their hands in places I’d rather them not touch. My skin crawls every time I go through it, but it’s worth it. Without it, I wouldn’t have a relationship with my dad, and that’s something I won’t risk.
“You’re good to go,” the guard says from behind me.
“Can I take the pictures I brought?” I ask.
“Sure, no problem,” he answers.
I make my way through the doors to the waiting room. “Son?” He stands, giving me a quick hug before he’s told no touching.
“Pops.” I embrace him back. “Here. Roxy wanted me to give these to you.” I hand him the pictures that she’s been drawing him since her last visit. It’s turned into a daily deal for her. It’s her way to connect with him, and I’m happy that they have something. I know he didn’t receive one drawing or card from us when he went away, so I’m glad he gets to experience it with his grandkids. Ryder has yet to send something, but maybe as he gets older he’ll request some alone time with my dad.
Unfolding the white piece of paper, he reveals flowers and butterflies, cats and dogs spread through the parchment. “She’s in a flower phase right now,” I tell him. “She’s counting down the days until we plant real flowers in the backyard.”
He stands there with his head down, taking in the design Roxy made for him. When he looks up, his eyes are filled with tears. “You know–” His words are choked. He clears his throat. “I never thought I’d have any of this.” He shakes his head. “I thought I lost my family when I was sent away. Years of not knowing what you kids were going through was tough. I thought it was a blessing when you showed up for your first visit. I had hoped that you would, but I kinda figured that you had washed your hands of me. But now, not only do I have my son in my life, but I have the next generation—my grandkids.”
“You’ll always have us, Pops. No need to get all emotional.” I pat his shoulder.
“You’re right, son. I’ll always have you, and I pray to the Man above that you’ll have me for as long as you need me.”
His words don’t sit right with me. I want to question him, but I’m not sure if I want to hear his answer.
“So,” he says as he sits down, “what’s going on? I figured I’d see you next week, like normal.”
“Yeah, I needed to tell you something, but I didn’t want to do it over the phone. We got a call a few days ago from that lady at social services. It seems that Rob has made contact and he’s now at the clinic seeking help. He wants the kids, or so he says.”
“That’s not gonna happen,” he says through gritted teeth. “Tylan, there’s no way that man is gonna get my grandkids.”
“Yeah, well, it may not be up to us. It all depends on him.”
“You and I both know that the biological parents aren’t always what’s best for the children.”
“You’re preaching to the fucking choir on that one, Pops. I know it from experience. But if there isn’t any proof to prove that fact, then there ain’t shit I can do.”
“He’s a junkie,” he states.
“Yeah, that doesn’t mean shit. I lived my life with a junkie, and no one ever did shit about it. Maybe when you were around, but after you left? Someone should have taken notice, and no one did. It’s like a waste of fucking time and taxpayer’s money to protect the fucking innocent children of drug abusers. I’m not holding my breath.”
“But the kids are in your care now. Why would they change that?”
“Because the bio parents have the rights until the courts or whoever the fuck thinks that their rights need to be severed.”
“Then you need to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
Looking around, I lower my voice. “And how the fuck do you suppose I should do that? Maybe I should shove enough smack up his arm so that he’d OD? Or maybe take his ass and drop him somewhere in the desert and hope to shit that he drops dead? Oh wait, maybe I should shove a shank into his belly and let him bleed out.”
“I don’t know, son, but I can’t lose those kids. They are the only thing that I have left of your sister, and I’ll be damned if I lose them like I lost her. Those kids will be on a one-way ticket to following in their parent’s footsteps if he’s granted custody.”
“And you don’t think I know that? I’ve already thought about running, but that ain’t the life that I want for those kids. I’m not about to ask Jenni to do that. Knowing her, she’d agree but be miserable the entire time. She’s given those kids and me more than she realizes, and I’ll be damned if I ask her to do more.”
“What did the case worker suggest?”
“She wasn’t happy about the fact that we knew he’d been sniffing around and didn’t tell her, but she doesn’t trust him and wants those kids far away from him. She wants them to stay with us.”
“Well, that’s good.”
“Yeah, we’re gonna start the adoption process. This shit ain’t cheap, either. It’s gonna cost a pretty penny, but I’m not complaining. I’d pay whatever the fuck I’d need to in order to keep them under my roof.”
“Do whatever you need to do to make sure you get those kids, and he doesn’t get his hand on them.”
“I am.”
“Did the worker give you any suggestions on what you can do to make it happen?”
“Other than getting hitched, no.”
“Fuck, son. That might be a good idea.”
“Yeah, well, you aren’t the first person to think so.”
/>
“Uncle Tylan?” I look up to see Ryder standing at the door of the shop. Hands in his pockets, kicking the ground with his shoe.
“Yeah, kid? What’s up?” I ask before wiping my face with a shop rag, tossing it on a pile of greasy rags.
“Nothing. Just seeing what you’re doing.”
I know this kid, and I know that he wants to talk, but he doesn’t know how to ask. “How’s school going?” I break the ice by asking a question that’s easy.
His eyes dart around the shop. “It’s good.”
“Do you want a soda?” I ask as I walk to the fridge. He nods, so I grab him a soda and a beer for me. “Let’s go grab some wood. I need a break.” I point over to the bench just outside the shop on the back-loading area so he knows what I’m talking about.
Twisting off the lid of my beer, I look over at Ryder and see him eyeing me. I push the beer towards him. “You want a sip?”
His body jolts back, and he shakes his head. “That stuff is gross.”
I chuckle before I take a sip. “Yeah, well those probably aren’t always going to be your thoughts. And when the time comes that they do change, make sure your ass asks me for a taste. Don’t think you and your friends are old enough or cool enough to get the shit on your own. If you ain’t twenty-one, then you won’t be old enough.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever want it,” he says before he takes a sip of his soda.
I take a quick glance at him. “So how are you really doing?”
He shrugs. “All right, I guess. School’s fine. I have friends. Rox seems to be good. I guess life is good.” He takes another sip of soda.
“You’re a good big brother. I want you to know that.” I throw it out there because he does need to know. “Your attitude sucks some of the time, but from what I hear, it’s preteen shit. I don’t like it, but I guess it won’t always be like that.”
He turns to me. “Do you really think so?”
I look at him. “That you’re a good brother? Or that your attitude sucks?” I cock my eyebrow, “Yeah, I mean it. I don’t say shit I don’t mean, Ryder. You should know that by now.”
“Yeah, you’re right. Thanks,” he says before he turns back, facing forward.
“Being a big brother is a big deal. Huge responsibilities come with the title. You know in Spiderman when his uncle tells him that with great power comes great responsibilities?”
He nods. “Yeah, I remember.”
“Well, same goes for the power of being an older brother, especially to a younger sister. They will never be as strong as you. They will never be as tough, so you’ve always got to remember that when you’re talking to her. When you’re looking out for her.”
“Like how you were with my mom?” The fact that he thinks I protected his mom shatters a little something inside because if I had protected her, she may be sitting here with us.
“Hopefully you can do a better job.”
“Not possible. Not from the stories that she used to tell us. You were her hero, Uncle Tylan. You always made sure she had what she needed.”
“Until I didn’t,” I say before taking another pull of my beer.
“Not true. You can’t blame yourself for her choices. She made the bad decisions–not you.”
I’m shocked by his words. “How old are you again?”
“I’m wise beyond my years,” he says with a chuckle.
We fall into a comfortable silence.
Roxy and Ryder have been under our roof for a while now. Not only have they made a place for themselves in the house by leaving their shit everywhere, but they’ve also taken up residence in my heart. A place I thought was long dead, but I’m finding it coming back to life because of two crazy kids and one stubborn woman. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that if I had to choose between Ryder, Roxy, Jenni over anything else, it would be them every time. Club or not. Brothers or not. My loyalty will always be to them. They are mine, and there’s no way in hell that I would ever turn my back ’em.
“We need you.”
Cut’s standing in the shop watching me tighten down the engine to a bike we had built as a custom. Nothing has been officially announced with our new partnership, but the orders and the money have started to roll in. Ryder went back home a little while ago to finish his homework, and I knew I had shit to finish before I called it a night.
“What do you need?” I grit out as I use my weight to tighten down the last bolt by hand before I use the impact.
“It’s the fucking Vegas crew. Shit still ain’t right, and I’m getting sick of these people not talking.”
“This shit is taking far too long. You should have handled this catch months ago.”
“This isn’t small time shit, Lick. These guys make a career outta hiding.”
“No shit.”
“Listen, smart ass, I need you in the backroom of the clubhouse.”
“Wait, you brought that shit on home turf? Are you fucking kidding me?”
“Cruise brought him in. It wasn’t my choice.”
“Of course, that fucker did it.”
Shaking my head, I stand and leave the bike for later. All the years we’ve been doing this shit, we’ve never brought any of our catches or any of the people who’ve helped us catch on Fury property. We’re supposed to keep our bounty side off of club grounds. We make sure the two never intertwine because if they do, it could be bad for both sides.
This is leading to trouble.
“He had his head covered,” Cut says from behind me.
“Oh, well that bit of news gives me the warm and fuzzies,” I say as I stomp through the dirt, making my way to the storage area of the building.
Walking into the storage room of the clubhouse, I see that fucker Cruise standing next to a man tied to a plastic chair, still wearing a black fucking pillowcase over his head. My eyes roll at the immaturity of the situation.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Cruise looks pleased with himself, but little does he know that he’s a fucking amateur playing with the big boys. “What?” he questions.
“First off, fuck face, you never shit where you sleep.” Kicking the leg of the plastic chair, I use enough force to break it causing the scumbag to land on his side. His groans are mumbled from behind the fucking bed sheet. “Meaning, you don’t bring shit home.”
“Well, he didn’t know it was home before you opened your big mouth.”
I shake my head. “And plastic? You need them secure. Plastic breaks.” I kick the broken leg. “Exhibit A.”
“What the fuck ever! I don’t know why you’re even here, Lick. I got this.”
“Evidently, you don’t, or I wouldn’t be here. Now, bring Daddy a metal chair.”
Cruise listens without another word. Once I place the fucker back in the chair and make sure he’s tied and not going anywhere, I begin to have my fun.
“Fuck you,” he spits in my face.
The fact that he no longer has any front teeth and his lip is pretty much a meaty piece of flesh hanging from his face has his ability to spit turning into more of a spray. I’m sure there’s a mixture of blood, snot, and salvia dripping down my face, but I don’t give a shit. It’s been far too long for this type of release.
Like always, I picture all the bastards who took from me. My mother, she’s always in the forefront of my mind, and of course, Teddy. Now there’s this other fucker who’s trying to take from me, and I can’t allow that. This time it isn’t about anything sexual either. It’s about those kids and the possibility of them being taken from me.
I can’t have that.
“I have to say, you’re a tough one.” I’m leaning into him, pushing my thumbs into holes that I’ve carved into his forearms between the radius and the ulna. I know I hit the bone a couple of times. That’s what happens when you don’t get to use your knives as often as you’d like. They tend to become dull.
My hands are covered in his blood, warm to the touch, welcoming. “I’ve run
outta patience,” I tell him. “The smell of your blood is no longer exciting, so I’ve got to cut this short. Places to go and all.”
One more push into his flesh as he tightens his eyes in agony. I’d be shocked if this piece of shit’s mother will be able to identify his body. He’s more broken than Humpty Fucking Dumpty.
When I cut my eyes to Cruise, I give him a nod. For once we’re on the same wavelength. He steps forward and takes the fuckers head in his hands. Tilting his head back, he keeps it steady.
“Now, I need a location. We already know the prick’s name, and what he looks like. But you see, Vegas tends to be tight-lipped when it comes to outsiders, so we ain’t getting shit. Just a location, nothing more.”
I slip my bloody thumbs into the bottom of his eyes. I know it hurts like a mother fucker, and his constant moans beneath his gag tell me I’m not wrong. If I apply enough pressure, I can pop his eyeballs out. Maybe even sever them from the optical cord making him blind and broken. I can feel the loosening of his eyeball within the eye socket, and my cock hardens.
Fuck, the suffering and pain is such a turn on.
I can hear him trying to talk between the screams and moans. Pulling my thumbs from his eyes, I rip away the gag.
“I’ll tell you,” he rasps, and I know my job here is down.
“You got it from here,” I tell Cruise as I walk out, ready to get the fuck home.
The kids are in their rooms, doors shut, televisions blaring when I get home. Such an extreme difference from when I was a kid, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ll spend the rest of my life working my ass off so these kids have the things they want, not only the things they need.
Jenni’s in the shower singing at the top of her lungs. I’d like nothing more than to step into that shower and get her nice and dirty, but I got shit to do.
I take my time as I wash the blood from my hands and face, knowing that I should change my shit before Roxy comes out of her room. Maggie would have a field day if word got back to them that I had blood on my clothes. Not a lie in the world would get me outta that mess. I head down the hall to the bedroom, I stop when I hear pounding on the front door. Now I’m pissed off. Yaking at the handle of the door, it swings open with ease.
Lick: Devil's Fury Book 2 Page 22