Page 127 of Starting Over

I turned at the voice and saw Amber behind the bar. She was a beautiful woman. Thirty years old with chestnut hair. Just like the woman we found yesterday.

“Hey, Amber. He here?”

“He’s in his office. I’ll get him.” She disappeared down the hallway, and I took a seat at the bar. It was quiet here this morning. I imagined most of the guys were working.

“Uncle Sheriff!”

I smiled when I heard Charlie call out to me. I spun on my seat and took in the little one’s outfit. Her sparkly tutu fanned out as the highlight. But her black T-shirt with the unicorn, and lime green tennis shoes stole the show.

“Good morning, Charlie. Good morning, Sam.”

“Morning, Sheriff.” She had a sympathetic smile on her face. That didn’t give me much hope that things would go well.

“I’m sorry, Sheriff. King said to tell you to leave.” I hadn’t seen Amber come back into the room. I dropped my chin to my chest and let out a heavy breath.

“That isn’t an option, Amber. Could you please tell him I am here on official business?”

Amber made her way down the hall again. I knew it was possible he still wouldn’t speak to me. That was fine. He didn’t need to talk, he just needed to listen.

“Everything ok, Sheriff?”

I turned to Sam. I didn’t want to worry her, but the men would need to talk to all the women so they would be aware of their surroundings.

“Just some business I need to discuss with King.”

I wasn’t sure how long I had been sitting there when Blade and my daughter walked in.

“Dad? What’s going on?”

Before I could answer, Jack entered, followed by Gunner, Colt, and Jingles. Nav came out of his office, and Cash and Ghost strolled in from the hallway.

I shook my head, letting go of a bitter laugh. He had called in reinforcements. My little brother finally made his way down the hallway from his office and walked into church without sparing me a glance.

“This should be fun,” Jack stated, walking toward church.

Following everyone into church, I stood at one end of the room. King sat in his chair at the head of the long table, at the other end.

Leaned back in his seat, he glared at me.

“Still mad?” The smirk on my face told him the question was rhetorical.

“Who’s on the gate?” King asked.

“Billy.” I knew he wasn’t asking me. But I could be just as petty as him.

“Fucking prospects don’t fucking listen.”

“I told him to let him in,” Blade confessed.

The glare King sent him would make most men cower in fear.

“What are you gonna do, cousin?” Blade grinned.

“Fuck you.”

Road Captain might not be as high up in the ranks as VP but once King found out he and Blade shared blood, I knew it would at least put him on equal footing with Cash as far as their personal relationship.

“What the fuck do you want?”

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