Page 638 of The Tempted

Chapter Thirty-six

Another month passed, thirty days without word from Jack or any of my brothers’ other than a deposit into my commissary account. After Lacey’s visits they suspended my phone privileges and banned any visitors’ other than my lawyer for sixty days. They could’ve sent word through the suit but all I’ve been granted is radio silence. It’s one thing to leave me here because Jack’s thinks I stabbed him in the back, but that doesn’t change my place within the club. I didn’t dishonor my brothers or my patch and as the fucking vice president of the Satan’s Knights I deserve the respect of knowing where my club stands.

I went away with two wars beating the fence, one with the Chinese and the other with the Corrupt Bastards. I can’t sit here and think that shit is just staying idle while I’m locked up. Boots made a move, pinning that kid on Lacey, he’s decided what it is he wants and he’ll make his demands if he hasn’t already. Then there’s Sun Wu, that motherfucker’s vendetta didn’t die and after we fucked with his shipment he’s probably out for blood. No holds barred.

Tomorrow I’m scheduled to meet with my lawyer so he can tell me all about the deal he’s been trying to iron out with the district attorney. According to him, there is no way around doing time, and I should take the deal since the kid still hasn’t woken up and the doctors are trying to convince his parents to pull the plug.

I got nothing.

No remorse whatsoever.

Which makes me wonder about the type of person I am. When I found out those two kids died I felt something. I felt a shit ton of grief and regret. I sat in the back of the funeral home and wished I could give each one of those mother’s back their sons.

This was different, there was foul play, and it was on Lacey.

Kid deserved what he got.

If it makes me a heartless motherfucker so be it.

And the father’s just as much of a dick because he threw his son into the line of fire trying to save his own ass.

Don’t have kids if you aren’t willing to lay it all on the line. Don’t bring another life into the world if you’re not willing to trade yours for theirs. I’m no one’s father, so what do I know? But give me a kid, give me a precious life, one I helped create, and tell me to protect that kid—you better believe I’m giving that kid everything I am and everything I ever wanted to be.

I think that’s the biggest rewrite a person gets in life.

Making a new life and making good on all the wrongs you did in life by giving your kid all the chances you never got.

Kids.

Never thought much about them, been too wrapped up in wanting nothing to dream about having everything.

But having a little girl call me daddy, who looked like Lacey and maybe a little bit like me, was one of the things that made me hope Brandon woke up from the coma I put him in.

The dream was ripped from me when I heard the cell door squeak open and the C.O. step inside.

“Got yourself a cell mate Petra,” he crooned, crossing his arms against his chest as he looked over his shoulder. “Try to play nice, will you?” he added, before stepping outside the cell and allowing the man about to invade my small space step inside.

My eyes narrowed as Stryker walked into the cell, holding his linens under his arm.

“Good luck,” muttered the C.O. before he slammed the bars close and strut his ass down the cell block. I stood from my cot, walked over to the bars and looked out to see where the guards were before turning around and narrowing my eyes at him.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

Stryker threw his linens on the top bunk before turning around and facing me.

“I heard the bologna was top notch,” he said sarcastically before glancing around the cell. “This blows, huh?” he shook his head and diverted his eyes back to mine. “Do you snore?”

“Stryker,” I seethed, clenching my fists as I took one step, making us almost nose to nose. “What are you doing here?”

“Drug charge, nothing crazy just possession,” he stated.

“And it’s a coincidence that you’re my cellmate?” I questioned.

“Nope, not a coincidence at all. I come bearing news and instructions,” he said, pointedly. “But I should warn you, none of it is good.”

“Christ,” I hissed, running my fingers roughly through my hair before I lifted my eyes to his. “Lacey?”

“She’s fine,” he paused, cocking his head to the side as he peered at me. “You fucked the Bulldog with that one.”

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