Page 75 of Vex

“He’s good too. Working for your father still.”

There’s a pause and I wait through it knowing what’s next.

“When will you be home for a visit? I miss you, Vex.”

“Every time I’m near him it’s nothing but a fight, Mom. You know this. I’m never going to be the person Dad wants me to be, and he’s never going to quit being the person he is. Nothing’s ever changed. Nothing ever will,” I remind her.

“I know, honey. I hate that it’s like that with you two. I pray every night that he’ll learn to accept you as you are. You’re not like him, and that’s okay. But I fear he’ll never come around,” Mom admits.

“He won’t, and neither will I. I’m not going to be bent into something I’m not. Discussing Dad isn’t why I called though,” I say.

“I did what your attorney requested. I didn’t tell your father though, because I didn’t want another argument with him over you. Who’s this woman? Taja Davis? She must be important to you.”

“She is. Her and her sister Tessie have never had it easy. They watched their mom slowly die of cancer and have struggled their whole lives. Dad wasn’t in the picture. We met and have been seeing each other. She’s important to me, Mom. We’re pregnant, and I’m happy as hell about it. I wanted to get my affairs in order in case something ever happened to me. I need to know that Taja, Tessie and our baby will always be taken care of if that happens,” I say firmly.

“Oh God, Vex. A baby? That’s so exciting! I’m going to have a grandchild!” Mom shouts excitedly.

“Yes, you are. I want you to meet Taja and Tessie. But I won’t subject them to the comments Dad would make. They’ve had enough shit dumped on them from their own dad. Maybe you could come here for a visit. Meet my woman and get to know her a little. I’m looking at buying a home. You could stay a while and help Taja furnish it.”

“I’d love to, Vex. I really would. But I don’t know how your dad would react to that. He’s bitter that you won’t come back or even take his calls anymore. Let me see what I can do, because I’d love to come see you and meet Taja. Give me some time to work on your father, okay?” she ends in a hopeful voice.

“Sure, Mom. Anytime you could come would be great. Let me know if you can make that happen,” I say.

We chat for a few more minutes before we hang up. I have my doubts that mom will make it to Denver. Dad’s only let her come once before, and that’s because he was coming for business. We had dinner together one night and that’s the last time I’ve seen them. Maybe knowing I have a woman and a baby on the way will help her strengthen her backbone when it comes to dad.

Pooh, Cash and I are sitting in Pooh’s truck. We had to use his since mine’s in the shop getting the door repainted. Trigger was shaking his head and muttering that he’s getting tired of repainting the same damn door when I left it with him. Thanks to Tessie, this is the third damn time. It’s also the last since she’s starting to get the hang of driving now. Fucking finally.

Cash’s phone rings and he answers. When he disconnects, he tells us we have a possible location for Rooster. Pooh starts the truck, and we’re on our way to meet up with the others there.

As Axel kicks in the door, I move past and scan the right side of the room. When I see movement, I aim but don’t pull the trigger. Rooster’s here but holding a half-naked woman in front of him as a shield. He’s backed them into a corner of the room and now has no way out. Why doesn’t it surprise me that he’d hide behind a female?

“Let her go, Rooster. Only way out of here is through us. No need for her to die tonight too,” Gunner barks.

“Fuck you!” Rooster shouts back.

I take my eyes off Rooster long enough to see Cash and Reeves march two other men into the room and seat them on chairs by the kitchen table. Both have the barrels of guns pressed to their temples. They’re no longer a threat, and they’re not going anywhere soon.

Looking back at Rooster I see a moment of surprise on his face. I think the dumb bastard actually thought we were too stupid to know there were others here with him. He thought they’d get the drop on us instead. So sad, too bad. His life has just taken a suck ass turn but at least it won’t suck for long. Rooster’s life can now be measured in minutes rather than years.

I look the two men over carefully and note that neither of them is Popeye. That means we’re missing one that we need to find. We’re not missing Tats though. He’s sitting in the chair that Cash is standing behind and he looks like he may be pissing himself. If not yet, he will be soon.

“Missing Popeye,” I say and watch Rooster shoot an evil grin my direction.

“No, we’re not. Security system at the clubhouse went off. Rex and Chubs were expecting him. Horse Nuts clotheslined the simple fuck and now Popeye’s hanging out in the basement. Literally. He’ll be there when we get back,” Reno says with a chuckle.

“Time’s up, Rooster. Let her go and settle your debt like a man,” Gunner says.

“You the Mexican fucking Taja?” Rooster says aiming his eyes my direction while the woman whimpers.

“Half Hawaiian, Douchebag. But yes, Taja’s mine. Baby on board in fact,” I grin at him.

“You could’ve made a mint off her if you’d left her intact. And the younger one too. Had a goldmine in your hands, but you couldn’t keep your dick to yourself. That’s what’s wrong with your club. It used to be a club to fear. 1% all the way. Now you’re all soft, young wanna-be’s. Not an outlaw among you. Pansy assed cunts each and every one. Patty raised those girls soft too. Neither could handle a real biker’s life. How do you think it’s going to go down with them if you kill their father? Pretty sure you’ll never dip your dick into Taja again if that happens,” Rooster spews.

“You don’t even know your own daughters. Spines like steel. Patty raised them right despite giving them shit for a dad. You have no idea what those girls are really like. But let me clear one thing up for you right quick. Taja and Tessie know exactly where we’re at, and why we’re here. Both are praying we end you. Both begged us not to come home until you’re dead and out of their lives forever. I promised them that’s how this would go down. And I never break my promises to either of them,” I say, laying it out for him.

Rooster’s sneer holds in place for a moment while all that sinks in. Then, in a quick movement, he pulls his gun up and fires it into the side of the woman’s head. He swings his gun toward me, but it’s already too late for him. As the woman dropped, we all opened fire. I watch with satisfaction as Rooster’s body jerks from all the lead entering and exiting it. I don’t know which of us fired the kill shot and it doesn’t matter. He’s deader than dead. Good riddance.

“What do you want done with these two?” Cash asks.

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