Page 34 of Redemption

“Found out some more on Donnelly, but still not sure what the connection is to Kelsey’s mom or why she had that tattoo. He has a few sons and a daughter, Kennedy,” Asher says after a few more hits. “She’s our way inside to figure out what the hell is going on.”

“Great.” A lump forms in my throat as images of how I met Kelsey flood my head. I’m not sure I feel like having history repeat itself. “Because things didn’t get fucked the last time I did that.”

“Calm your shit. Zane’s taking the point on this one.” That settles my nerves some, but then he has to keep talking. “Also did some digging on social media and found out she’ll be at Orphic tonight with some friends.”

“You do remember what happened the last time either of us was there, right?” My gut twists into knots at the thought of going back there. It’s been two years, but it doesn’t mean that place isn’t still my own special brand of Hell. “It’s the reason Kelsey was put in the line of fire in the first place and last time you were there wasn’t exactly a picnic either. Or have you forgotten?”

“I didn’t forget.” His face pales for a split second no doubt reliving what he did to Charlee before his features harden. “Charlee’s forgiven me for that, but I’m not looking forward to going there either. Except we ain’t got no choice right now. We thought it was just some asshole punks shooting at you before and now that this shit is much more serious, we need to get ahead of it before it’s too late. Think about what’s at stake if we wait. Or, would you rather we tuck tail with our dicks between our legs and let them have a go at your girl?”

“Over my dead fucking body.” All of my rage boils to the surface extending into my fists. I nail Asher so hard he falls down onto the mat.

Instead of getting pissed like I expect, he rubs his lip giving me a quick nod at the same time. “That’s what I thought.” He stands to his feet and walks to the corner of the room where Zane is standing, watching it all. I wait for the retaliation hit to come, but it never does. His eyes go to the phone that he’s just grabbed off the table and then back to me. “Charlee’s upstairs making breakfast and Kelsey’s with her.” Without a backwards glance he heads upstairs, leaving Zane and I standing there with our dicks in our hands.

I’m wondering what the hell just happened and who that was because Asher’s never let me off easy on anything in my life. Zane’s eyes burn into the side of my face and I whip my head on his direction. “What?” The blank look he’s giving me is getting on my last damn nerve.

Zane watches me for a few more beats as his eyebrows pinch together. “You really don’t know?”

“Wouldn’t be asking if I did, Dr. Phil.” I fight the urge to roll my eyes at him.

He pushes off the wall, shaking his head at me. “You’re a dumbass. He fucking let you win.”

“Bullshit.” I cross my arms over my chest and hold Zane’s stare.

“After everything he’s been through, everything he’s lost, Asher’s all about family. If you really think he’d waste the chance to buy you another truck or that he’d give up even a moment with either one of his girls then you don’t know our brother at all.” Zane jerks his chin in the direction Asher just went and rubs away some of the blood that’s matted in his beard before he heads up the stairs leaving me alone on the mat.

Everything he’s said takes a few seconds to sink in, but when it does I feel like the dumbass Zane called me. Bastard has always been too fucking perceptive for his own damn good, but still he has a point. Then my brain catches up to what Asher said. Wildcat’s awake and after last night my body’s humming with the need to touch her. To make sure she’s all right. I haul ass up the stairs anxious to see her and hold her, whether or not she’ll let me is still up for debate. Good thing I enjoy a good fight.

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