I can’t believe this girl is sitting here, thinking such terrible things about herself. She’s stunning, and I’m determined to make sure she knows it.
When I stepped outside and heard her talking to Royal about herself in such a negative way, I wanted to find whoever planted those thoughts in her mind and make them pay.
“I-I’m sorry! My mom left him with me while she went to do something. Babies are good listeners. I didn’t mean to—” Her nervous rambling is endearing, but I interrupt her.
“It’s okay. I talk to him every day. He’s a great listener. Whoever told you that you’re a fat cow couldn’t be more wrong. You’re beautiful and should be treated as such.”
I take a moment to really look at her as she gazes down at my son. She looks wonderful holding him. I can imagine her becoming a part of our lives.
Her hair is so blond it’s almost white. Her green eyes seem to see right into me. She’s a larger girl, but that doesn’t bother me. Society might label her as overweight, but I couldn’t care less about society’s opinion.
I prefer my girls with a little extra. I’m a big guy. I’m six foot five and all muscle. I don’t want some skinny girl. I want a woman with curves.
“He’s perfect. He looks a lot like you.” Her voice pulls me from my thoughts.
“He is. And he’s sharp as a tack. He looks good in your arms, too.” She looks at me, surprised. Maybe I pushed it too far, but I can’t help myself.
The ringing of my phone interrupts our conversation. “Saved by the ring.” I pull my phone from my pocket and see that it’s Ink calling. “Can you watch him while I take this?”
“No problem. Go ahead.” I head back into the kitchen to answer.
“Yeah?”
“I’ll be there in a few minutes. Don’t do anything until I get there.” I hang up without saying goodbye.
When I return to the porch, I see Brighton looking at Royal with what I can only describe as a mother’s love. There’s a hint of longing there, too.
I’d love to stay and explore that, but I need to get back to the clubhouse. I have a girl to return to her parents. “I need to head back to the clubhouse.”
“Okay. Do you want me to watch the baby for you?” she asks.
“I can’t ask you to do that, sweetheart.”
“You didn’t. I offered. I could use the company after the day I’ve had,” she says, a sadness in her eyes that I want to replace with joy.
“Alright. I’ll have my sister come by and pick him up later. Thank you, Brighton.” I hand her a business card with my personal number on it.
“Here’s my number. If you need anything, anything at all, give me a call.”
With her nod of agreement, I head to my truck. It’s time to deal with the mess one of our family members has created.
We need a break. It seems like as soon as one problem is solved, another one pops up. There’s never a dull moment in our lives. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.
I reach the clubhouse in no time. I don’t stop to see if my brothers are in the main room or in Doc’s medical room.
I’m heading down the hallway when a gunshot rings out. I quicken my pace and see Snoopy trying to wrestle a gun from Gavin’s hands.
I thought I told them to wait until I got here. They never listen. Now I have a dead body and a hysterical Gavin on my hands. Eliot turns to me, determination in his eyes.
“I need all the information on the auction happening in Arizona. Everything. I’m leaving as soon as I find my wife and set things right.”
Without another word, he pulls out his phone and leaves the room. I’m not sure what happened here, but I’m going to find out. Right after we get Gavin under control.
“Snoopy, calm your brother down. Have Doc give him something to help him relax. Griller, get the prospects in here to clean up this mess.
“Church in fifteen. I want a full report on everything that happened in the few minutes it took me to get here. I told you guys to wait for me, but you never fucking listen.”
I turn and head for the main room. I need to find someone to watch Royal while we’re gone. I’m not sitting this one out. “Axyl! Where’s my sister?”
“Clinic,” he replies. I nod and head into my office. I pull out my phone, sit behind my desk, and call Aliana.
“Hey, bubba,” she greets me.
“Hey, Ali. Can you do me a favor? Royal is over at Mayor Border’s house. Brighton, their daughter, offered to watch him while I came here to deal with things.
“Megan woke up. I need you to pick up Royal and keep him while we’re gone. I’m not sitting this one out,” I tell her.
“You left your son with the mayor’s daughter. Is he ever going to admit that he’s you-know-who’s dad?”
Ali knows the secret that the mayor and I are keeping from one of my brothers because she overheard a conversation between us.
“I’m not discussing this with you, Aliana. You shouldn’t have overheard that conversation. I know you’re just waiting to use it against me when I piss you off again,” I half-joke.
“I’ll pick Royal up, but I don’t understand why you left him with a girl you’ve never met before. Westyn, you never trust anyone with Royal.”
She’s right, I’m very protective of my son. “Brighton is different.”
“She’s the one for you, huh? But you can’t just dive in headfirst, Wes. You’ve got Royal to think about now, not just your own desires. Slow down. How old is she anyway?
“And I can’t believe you’d think I’d betray you like that. Sure, I’d give you hell if you pissed me off, but I’d never stoop that low.
“You should know me better. Unless, of course, you decide to fill my bed with snakes again.” I trust her to keep quiet.
“You know that’s not what I meant. And yes, I think she’s the one. It’s like what mom and dad used to say about when they first met.
“She’s nineteen. That’s about all I know, but I plan to change that when I get back. I need to head out for church. Thanks, Ali. You’re the best.”
“Don’t you forget it. I’m happy for you, Wes. You deserve happiness just like the rest of us.
“I’ll see you when you get back. He’s in good hands. I love you, big brother. Be safe and come home to us.”
She ends the call. It’s her usual sign-off before we go on a mission, big or small. I love my sister so damn much. I’d die for her.
I rise from my desk and head towards the chapel. “Church!” I call out as I enter the room.
I need to find out what happened while I was away and how Megan’s death came about. Not that I blame Gavin, but I need to know. It’s my job to know these things.
I stand behind my chair as my brothers file into the room. Once the last one is seated, I take my seat.
I’m always the last to sit and the last to stand. It’s tradition.
“What the hell happened in that room? I want every detail.”
“Doc burst into the main room saying Megan was awake. Trigger was on his third pot of coffee when he jumped up and ran to her. He wanted answers.
“He started questioning her before I could tell him you wanted to wait until you got here,” Ink begins. He then recounts the conversation between them.
The more I hear about what Megan said, the more I wish I could bring her back just to kill her myself. That damn woman. She was supposed to be one of us, but now I’m not so sure.
“Ink, Doc, and Snoopy. You’re coming with Trigger and me to Arizona. We can’t bring too many guys. We’d draw attention, and we can’t afford that.
“We need the element of surprise, or this could all go wrong. We leave in the morning. Gather all the information you can before then.
“Doc, pack some medical supplies. We don’t know how many strays we’ll encounter. Ink, prep the truck.”
I slam the gavel, ending the meeting. This is one hell of a mess. I just hope we can get Posey and the baby back safely without a fight, but when does anything ever go our way?
