Page 39 of Hollywood

“No problem.”

“I’ve been thinking about Mom a lot lately,” I started with a wistful sigh. “She was so amazing, but her superpower was knowing when I was lying. Even when there was no way for her to know, she somehow always did.”

“Yeah, it was kind of freaky, wasn’t it?” He managed a laugh, but it wasn’t his real laugh, it was too tight and restrained, and it lacked the distinctive snort that came out whenever he laughed. “I wish I had that skill.”

“I think I might’ve inherited it,” I told him. “A guy was trying to b.s. me and I knew it. I had no reason to think it, he was nice and good-looking, but I just had that feeling you know?”

“Yeah,” he sighed heavily. “I know.”

“Let’s meet in the middle,” I proposed. “At the place where we had our last meal as a complete family.”

“Yeah okay,” he began and then the call ended abruptly.

“Dad?” I glanced down at the phone screen only to find my dad’s face smiling back at me because the call had ended. “Dad? No!” I had a bad feeling that he hadn’t just hung up on me because he would never do that.

“It’s okay Winter.”

“No it’s not. Something is clearly wrong.” My tears came immediately, and I let out a tortured scream.

“You’re right,” he agreed and wrapped his arms around me. “Something’s wrong and I’m going to check it out. You’re gonna stay here.”

“What? No, that’s my dad!”

“Winter.” He held my chin in his thumb and forefinger, forcing my gaze to his. “He’s my best friend and he’s trusting me with you, something I won’t betray even if it means you hate me.”

“I don’t hate you, dammit.”

“I know but I need you to trust me. I’m going there myself. Right now.” He pressed his lips to my forehead and pulled back. “They want you to come running. Understand?”

I nodded. “Yeah, I understand.” I was a pawn in this game, one they were determined to use to get my dad to do whatever they wanted. I gripped his forearms. “With backup?”

His brows shot up. “Worried about me, babe?”

“I’m serious. Don’t do whatever the hell you did earlier to get those bruises and bloodied knuckles. You have all these guys here to help, let them help.”

His smile dimmed. “I won’t go alone, and you won’t leave the compound.”

“Deal.” I jumped in his arms and fused my lips to his, kissing him as if he was a soldier going off to war in a distant land. I poured all the things I was feeling but wasn’t brave enough to say into that kiss because I did trust him. I liked him and I wanted him, and I trusted him.

He pulled back first. “We’ll pick this up when I come back. Promise.”

“Thank you, Hollywood.” I kissed him again and then we both got dressed.

Once we left the room, he went to talk to his MC, and I joined a few of the women in the bar. “I need a beer mug of tequila. Stat.”

The women did what it seemed like they always did, they rallied around me and kept my mind focused on their love stories, their kids, and their lives, while I waited to hear good news about the two men who meant the world to me.

Chapter Twenty-One

Hollywood

“They have fucking pictures of her. For weeks or months!” I raged and paced inside our meeting room. We weren’t holding church, but all the brothers had gathered. “I’m going to check on Winston.” There was no question where I was headed. He was my oldest and most loyal friend, and I wouldn’t leave him to fend for himself. I wouldn’t let him or Winter down.

Rocky stood and blocked my path. “Calm down, brother. We’re here and we have your back.”

“Fuck you,” I scoffed. “I am calm.” I was calm, mostly, but I was also seething at what these assholes had done to a good man who didn’t deserve this shit. “Look, all I’m saying is that I’m going to Winston one way or the other. I’m telling you all just in case you give a fuck and want to have my back.” It was an asshole thing to say, I knew that, but I was going no matter what Diesel said.

“Have we evernothad your back?” Diesel’s question was posed in a deep voice, serious as fuck and just loud enough to draw attention of everyone in the room.

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