Page 46 of Big Red

My blood boils. To hear her say Cindy's feelings don’t matter enrages me. What kind of mother doesn’t give a damn about her child’s feelings? This only solidifies the decision that I won’t let the kids anywhere near her or her creepy-ass husband, who can't seem to take his eyes off the kids. That shit is rubbing me the wrong way.

“Damn, my trigger finger is itching,” Cara mutters. She’s staring down at her pointer finger, sadness etched all over her face. “Now, now, you behave. Big Daddy said today is a kill-free day. As much as we want to, we cannot body this bitch.”

This girl isseriouslyholding a conversation with her finger. Sighing, I rub my palm down my face, trying my hardest not to laugh at her psycho ass. Viper shakes his head, pulling Cara’s body back against his, whispering in her ear.

“What kind of animals do you have around my children, Red?” Chloe sneers.

Dropping my head, I silently pray that Cara does not kill Chloe in broad daylight. She has no clue the devil she’s poking.

“Oh, now it's full-blown twitching,” Cara cries out. She holds onto her wrist as if she isliterallytrying to stop it and not herself. Every day, I believe more and more that Cara should be on meds. Maybe it’s those Italian genes. Almost every Italian I’ve met has a few screws missing.

“If you think for a second I’m going to allow you to continue to have my kids around these people, you are sadly mistaken.” Chloe looks Cara up and down in disgust.

“Bitch, you don’t have a choice!” Cara finally loses it.

I need Cara to calm down. I can’t have her short temper messing this up. If Chloe takes me to court, I don’t need her bringing up being attacked by someone within the club. That would surely ruin my chances of keeping custody of my kids.

“Cara, chill.” My tone is damn near desperate. I appreciate everything she does for my kids. I know, in a way, she looks at them like one of her own, but I really need her to stand down right now.

Cara sees the fear of losing my kids swirling in my eyes and settles down. She tries to step toward us, but Viper tightens his grip.

“I’m okay now, Viper. I swear.” He releases her and she walks to me. “Now you know I would never risk them. I’m actually a little offended that you think I would, but you can make it up to me by sparring with me tomorrow. Nothing says I’m sorry like letting me kick your ass.”

She gives me a bright smile, and I look down at her looney tune ass, perplexed as hell. What the hell does she mean by me apologizing? And kick my ass for what? She knows she is off-kilter. She can’t blame me for thinking she would do something crazy.

Cara turns to Chloe and Jeffery, and that smile falls instantly.

“You have all of two seconds to get your eyes off them kids, or I will snatch them bitches out,” she sneers at Jeffery. I make amove to grab her, and she snatches away. “Trust me, Red, you’ll want to hear this.”

Jeffery turns to Cara, uncertainty dancing in his eyes. Cara eyes Chloe and shakes her head. “There isn’t a judge in the world that would give custody to a pedophile.”

Chloe rears back, stunned. “W-what are you talking about? Just because you don’t like him looking at the children doesn’t make him a pedophile.”

“No, it doesn’t. But the court paperwork I obtained does. This man you call your husband has settled out of court on six different occasions with mothers who accused him of sexually assaulting their daughters. Those little girls were aged between eight and thirteen.”

“What are you talking about, Cara?” I ask her.

“When you told me how she came to the shop acting like a fool and threatening to come for the kids, I started looking into her. And eventually, him as well. I was going to talk to you later tonight about everything I found but looks like her ass was stalking us.”

“T-those documents are supposed to be sealed,” Jeffery stutters, trying to defend himself. Does he think that matters right now? The fact that six women have accused him of assaulting their daughters, and now here he is with Chloe, trying to help her fight for custody, makes me want to kill him right here and now.

“You can't do this! My kids belong with me!” Chloe shrieks at me.

I stare at her completely baffled. At this point, I know she doesn’t care about my kids. “What the hell are you talking about? Did you not hear what she said? This man is a fuckin’ pedophile. You would still take Cindy and Colt around this man knowing this?”

“Just because he settled doesn’t mean he’s guilty.” When she shrugs her shoulders as ifI’mthe one overreacting, the little bit of resolve I have snaps. I lunge at her, but Chains and Capone are quick on their feet, restraining me.

“Get the fuck out of here. Take him to court if you want. I’ll make sure the judge reads every single statement made by those mothers.” Chloe stares at Cara, full of hate, and Jeffery looks around nervously. I’m pretty sure he’s reading the room, and every single brother out here looks ready to kill him.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

I’m fighting against Capone and Chains hold, trying to break free. Jeffery is the target. If I get loose, his ass is mine. Just the thought of this motherfucker trying to do something to my baby girl is enough to send me spiraling.

“You sure about that?” Cara smiles. “Duke! Daisy!Pass auf!”

“Aww, hell. You better run while you still can,” Thor warns with wide eyes.

Duke and Daisy come charging forward, growling and showing their sharp teeth. As soon as Jeffery spots them, he turns around and hightails it off the beach. Chloe is frozen with fear for a moment before she snaps out of it, and then turns, yelling for Jeffery to wait.

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