Page 15 of Falling for Her

Looking down my nose at a man I used to look up to, I remove my cut, not bothering to try and fight for the leather or even see if he means what he says, causing my dad and him to stand as Bullet snaps, “Put that fucking cut back on right now!”

I tilt my head at Butcher, and I state, “I’m no longer a brother,” as I turn slightly and shove my cut into Bullet’s chest, his hands coming up to grab it in shock, and without another word, I turn and leave the office.

“Damian,” Butcher shouts, and my dad says, “This isn’t fucking happening!”

I ignore them and pick up my pace.

“Sweetheart, where’s your cut?” I hear my mother demand as I enter the common room, and everyone quietens, including Bethany and her mother, from their argument as everyone looks my way. I pay them no attention and lock eyes with Bethany, hers wide with shock.

All she ever wanted was attention, demanding more than she deserved from everyone…

Spoiled, selfish, bitch.

Without breaking eye contact with the girl who has caused all this, I admit to everyone, “I’m no longer a brother. I handed in my cut.”

The brothers roar outrageously as Bullet enters the common room and shouts, “You aren’t handing it in! Get your ass back into the office.”

I shrug his way and look at my mother. Confusion is written all over her, but instead of explaining, I turn and head out. The brothers shout for me to come back, but I ignore them all as I try to figure out my next move while suddenly grateful that I signed a contract with Hammer for my place at the shop and the apartment.

Chapter 6

Esmerelda – Twenty Years Old

“Cody,Iswearifyou take one more cookie from the counter, I am going to skin you alive!” I threaten as Cody quickly runs away from the counter, not moving fast enough for me not to notice him as I walk out from the back with several more cookies and mini cupcakes. The flash of his white shirt catching my attention instantly.

I hear my dad laugh and look at him, giving him the stink eye when I notice him taking a bite out of a cookie that I never gave him. He just shrugs, not at all sorry and I narrow my eyes.

I swear those two are pains in the butt.

“Sissy…” Aiden mumbles, and I look at him and see him squeezing his fists my way. I roll my eyes, knowing full well it isn’t because he wants me, no he wants the cupcakes I’m carrying, and as soon as we lock eyes, his beautiful brown ones shining, I know I’m about to give in like I always do.

The boy has me wrapped around his little finger and thankfully this batch is sugar free.

Groaning, I place the trays on the counter, but before I close it up, I grab a light blue iced cupcake and a plate, all while my dad and Cody try their hardest to hide their laughter from me.

Shaking my head at them, I walk to the table closest to the counter and put the plate on my brother's table, which is attached to his highchair. He instantly claps his hands as he grins wide.

“Tank you, Sissy,” he mutters before taking a big bite, I smile as I gently run my fingers through his mousy brown curly hair.

It’s a tangled mess giving him that extra bit of sweetness.

He has Daddy’s personality – the poor boy – but looks wise, he is the spitting image of mom from his hair to his cheekbones, right down to his eyes. He is every part of her, and sadness hits me like most days.

Aiden is three and a little character being brought up without his momma, our mother, and it’s unfair.

It’s been three years since my dad walked into the waiting room like his whole world had crashed, and some days you can see the sadness that wants to consume him, but he never lets it affect Aiden or me. He keeps going for his kids, and I will forever protect my father for that alone.

He’s an amazing man, and I’m grateful to have him as my father daily. I'm thankful that he always puts Aiden before everyone else, even on his son’s birthday, despite it being the day he lost his wife, his soulmate, he ensures it’s all about Aiden.

He doesn’t know I know, but once he thinks I’m asleep, he’ll fall apart before rebooting the next morning and act like a happy man until Mom’s birthday or Mother’s Day. Again, he’ll wait until he thinks I’m asleep.

I point at Cody and threaten, “Next time you try taking another cookie, I’m snitching on you with Haley…”

He grins, not concerned about my threat. He and Haley have been together for a year, and she is ready for the next step, or so she told me last week, but she doesn’t think Cody would take that leap.

I had to remind her they’ve only been together for a year and to give him time.

Cody shrugs and asks, “When are we double-dating again?”

---