Page 38 of Property of Big Daddy

“Yeah.I’m aware.”Another fucking headache I don’t need.Lucie’s always saw Hero as hers.He’s never going to claim her.I see that now.I’ve always considered him to be the son I never had, but always wanted.Sissy’s got a schoolgirl crush on him, but I know he’d never look at her romantically.Truthfully, I wouldn’t want him to, but if she was ever going to be an ol’ lady when she’s older, I’d rather it be to someone like Kidd.He’s closer to her age.

Hero’s gone and fallen for Dave’s daughter.A big fucking complication.One he can’t afford.“It’s like a fucking soap opera,” I grumble as I strip out of my jeans and climb into bed.

Gwynee laughs, coming up behind me.She wraps her arms around my waist, pressing against my back.“Welcome to the real world, baby.Life is messy.Love is complicated.”

“Don’t I know it?”I huff and climb into bed, ready for this day to be over.Can’t believe Lucie pulled a damn knife at breakfast this morning like she was deranged.Girl was feral like a rabid animal.Would be fucking hilarious if it was one of them reality shows, but it’s my damn life.

“I know you’re stressed about everything,” Gwynee whispers, breaking me out of my thoughts.“You shouldn’t take it all on yourself.”She tugs a silky tank top down over her breasts and dabs some lotion on her knees and elbows.

“It’s my job to take it on,” I reply gruffly.But she’s right.I’ve been carrying the weight of everything for so long that it’s all I know.I’m not used to sharing the heaviness of day-to-day life struggles and the drama of my girls with anyone.Old habits of bottling everything up is a hard habit to break.And it’s not one I’m sure I want to change.

I’m the leader of my club and the man all our chapter presidents look to.I can’t afford fuckups like this and yet here we fucking are.

“But you don’t have to do it alone,” she says softly, glancing back at me over her shoulder as she pulls her shorts up her legs that match her tank top.“It’s not Hero’s fault.We can’t always choose who we love and by the looks of things, he’s been bitten by the love bug.Lucie had her shot with him, and she blew it.”

“The love bug,” I mock with a snort.“Doesn’t make it any easier to watch,” I grumble back at her, shoving my misery aside.It’s been one hellish day, and this is fucking headache has been building since the moment I opened my damn eyes this morning.I close my eyes and feel the mattress dip as my woman climbs into bed next to me.

I draw her dainty hand up to press my lips against her knuckles.I hook an arm around her waist, pulling her close enough so she can snuggle into my chest right where I want her.

“Tomorrow will be better.”

“From your mouth to the big man upstairs’ ears,” I mutter, and she rewards me with a quick peck on my lips.

“We’ll get through this, Clayton.Together,” she says my name, and the soothing cadence of her voice lulls me into a sense of tranquility.

I simply nod at her, my words lodged in my throat.It’s moments like these that make me realize how much I’ve needed this woman by my side.The way she effortlessly brings a calm to the storms within me is a power no one else possesses.

No one knows how to read me better than Gwynee.I only wish she’d been born a decade or two earlier and that I’d met her before my ex, but then I wouldn’t have Sissy.As much as she’s a pain in the ass, I love my kid more than life itself.

“Get some sleep,” she breathes the command against my skin after several minutes pass.Her lips press to the hollow point of my throat, and she slides back down to curl into my side.

“I will.”The peace that settles over us urges me to let go of my worries for the time being and give in to rest.Hero will navigate a way out of this mess, even if I have to allow him to fuck up some along the way.It’s the only way he’ll learn.I only wish it wasn’t such an expensive lesson for all of us.

Especially Lucie.She’s never known true heartbreak outside of losing loved ones to a tragic accident.Losing your first love hits differently than any other loss.I suppose some of it is my fault.I’ve always pushed her toward Hero, hoping he’d fix her and save her from herself.I’m seeing now that the only person who can straighten Lucie up is her fucking self.God help us all if she doesn’t get her shit together, and fast.

I’ve given Hero two days to pull his head out of his ass and figure out where Dave disappeared to with the shipment we were running for the Juarez Brothers.

I’ve been fielding their threats.First, I told them there was a mechanical issue with the truck and we had to hook up to a new rig.Made up an excuse about the cops spooking our guys and needing to lay low for a few days until the heat dies down.I don’t think they bought any of it.I wouldn’t either, but we’re running out of time and options.I’ve got enough money to live comfortably, but I damn sure don’t have three million lying around to pay for a botched drug run.These men don’t care who, what, or why.They only think in numbers.

The cartel doesn’t have feelings or give a fuck about anything or anyone other than their bottom line.

They’re our largest source of income and we can’t afford to lose them or to piss them off.These are men you don’t fuck around with.It’s a lesson I’ve been trying to teach Hero for months.He’s always been a hothead, but now he’s losing focus over a girl.

He knows the risk, which tells me he’s in over his head.

I dial him to see where he’s at with this.

“I need to know what you’ve got,” I tell him, leaning back in my chair.I can picture him looking disappointed.Like a failure and it kills me to let him fumble so fucking hard, but he knows as well as I do that we’re in deep fucking shit if we don’t fix this soon.

“I’ve got nothing, Prez,” he admits, sounding as frustrated as I feel.“I’m trying, but Dave’s vanished off the face of the earth.”

“Not good enough, Hero.”

“I’m working on some leads.”

“You’ve got until the end of the day to come up with the cash or to bring me Dave’s head or we’re all fucked.”I hang up on him and make another call.

It’s time to take matters into my own hands and show Hero how a Prez handles business.He’s had his chance to prove himself.

---