Page 71 of Cocky Jerk

But something shifts when those awkward teen years show up.

The man becomes scared of the little girl. He realizes there is a clock ticking somewhere in the distance and one day he’s going to have to share her. He tries to prepare himself, but nothing helps. The hands that once pushed her to fly suddenly try to pull her back.

He wishes for more time.

For a pause button.

He tries to rewind the track and all he winds up doing is breaking the one thing he tried to preserve.

My dad may do bad things, but he’s still my dad.

He’s still my first love.

The hero of my childhood.

This thing between me and Marco, it’s not going anywhere. At least that’s the impression I got this weekend and if I’m being honest, I don’t want it to. For the first time in my adult life, I’m happy. There’s this guy, and he’s everything I never knew I wanted, and he wants me just the way I am. He’s not some guy looking to climb the ranks of his club and he’s not looking to put my dad behind bars either.

He’s in it for me.

Just me.

A girl shouldn’t have to choose between her dad and the man that makes her happy. The man she can see herself loving. The one who may be the hero of the rest of her story.

That’s why I asked Marco to come with me to speak with my dad. If I could bridge the gap between us and somehow make him see Marco wasn’t the enemy, then maybe my dad and I could repair all the damage adolescence left in its wake.

Being the amazing guy, he is, Marco agreed. I knew that took a lot from him too. Like my father took an oath to serve his club, Marco took an oath to protect and serve the city of New York. They would never see eye to eye on a lot of things, but Marco was willing to try, and that’s all I could ask for.

After he dropped me off at work, I called my dad. He didn’t answer, and that worried me. Despite our differences, we had never gone this long without speaking. I sent him a text message, telling him I would be stopping by after work and left out the fact that I would be with Marco.

It’s been hours since I sent that message and still no response. I can’t focus on the emails coming through because in the pit of my stomach, I know something is wrong. Normally, I’d call one of the guys to check in and make sure one of my dad’s enemies didn’t leave him riddled with bullets on the side of the road, but that bridge is burned.

The princess of the motorcycle club has been knocked off her chrome throne and labeled a traitor.

Sighing, I twist the paperclip I’ve been playing with for the last hour. My phone lights up with an incoming call and relief washes over me when I see my father’s name appear on the screen. Tossing the office supplies aside, I accept the call and lift the phone to my ear.

“Dad?”

“Listen to me very carefully,” he grinds out. “I know you’re set on living your own life and fucking me in the process, but you need to put our shit aside and get your ass to compound immediately. Ritmo is outside waiting for you. Antonia, this is a matter of life and death. The entire club is on lockdown. There is no time for you to throw a fit or go fucking rogue on my ass. You hear me?”

I swallow hard.

There is an edge to the tone of his voice, one that I’ve come accustomed to. It’s a sure sign he’s not bluffing.

“For fuck’s sake, speak!”

“Okay,” I whisper hoarsely. “I’m leaving now,” I say quickly and before I can disconnect the call, I’m on my feet. Slinging my bag over my shoulder, I pocket my phone. I don’t bother powering off my computer, nor do I tidy up my desk. I don’t even knock when I storm into Soraya’s office. I tell her I have a family emergency and that I need to leave immediately.

It sounds better than saying,hey, I gotta go. Everyone in my family is a criminal, and we’re all on lockdown.

Without giving her a chance to respond, I flee her office as quickly as my boots carry me and opt for the stairs instead of the elevator. It’s quicker and time is of the essence.

When I finally reach the garage and spot Ritmo a sense of dread washes over me. It’s as if my body and mind are working to warn me something terrible is about to happen.

I wish I wouldn’t have dismissed it so easily.

Maybe then I would’ve been prepared for the moment my world came crashing down.

They say you never see the bad guys coming.

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