Page 28 of Wildcard's Wager

“My pleasure. Every pool party has more adults than kids, so adding one more to the mix isn’t a hardship. Besides, he’s officially part of the NextGen Club.”

“The NextGen Club?” I ask with a smirk, watching the kids rush over to Max. “As in the Next Generation?”

“You got it,” Alisa says with a chuckle. “Elina has plans. She’s already instructed all the couples that they need to have kids.”

I laugh, because I can see the confident little girl doing just that. “She’s amazing.”

“She’s a brat,” Alisa corrects me, but with a smile. “I wouldn’t change her for the world. Before we came here, she was timid. We lost her father when she was a baby. The man who took him from us tried to ingratiate himself into our lives. I didn’t know what he’d done, or I’d never have let him near us. He never hurt Elina, but he didn’t warm to her either. I didn’t think about how that could affect her until we came here. Until Puma. Hisaffection for her helped her blossom. She gained confidence, and she knows he’ll always have her back.”

“Are the kids back yet? I want ice cream!” Puma’s booming voice announces his entrance. The kids squeal and race toward the mountain of a man. He lifts Elina up and places her on his shoulders before reaching down to pick up Angel and Slade in each of his humongous arms. Colt runs forward, too, but instead of going to Puma, he rushes toward Wildcard and slams into his legs. Wildcard lifts him up and glances around the room until his eyes meet mine. I can see the question in them. I make my way towards him to give him the answer.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: WILDCARD

I hear snippets of Colt’s exciting tale about his visit to Desdemona’s with the other kids, but my focus is solely on Brigit as she makes her way towards me. I can’t tell her thoughts by her expression. Easy to picture her raking in the chips with a poker face like that.

When she reaches us, she wraps her arms around Colt and me, leaning up to whisper in my ear. “I’m sorry. Thank you for looking out for my dad. I didn’t understand, but I think I do now.”

Shock and hope race through my system as I search her pretty green eyes for doubt. Seeing none, I release the stress that I’ve carried since leaving her with Preacher. I’m not sure how he convinced her that Puma branding him was forgivable, but I owe the man everything because Brigit is staying. Colt wiggles free when Hunter and the other prospects carry in gallons of ice cream and bowls. He rushes to take his seat between Elina and Angel.

“Are you sure?” I whisper back, circling her waist.

“I am. Won’t lie. I’m still not pleased about what he went through, and I doubt I ever will be. But I won’t hold it against you or the club. He said you gave him a choice. He explained tome why he made the choice he did. Once he heals, he’ll have the family he always wanted.”

“He has us now. The club voted and gave him the choice. He made the choice and followed through. All is forgiven and forgotten. He’s one of us now. Puma’s getting him a new kutte, and he wants a new road name.”

“He does?” Brigit asks in surprise. “Why? I thought those were lifelong tags?”

“Usually, yes. But I think he sees this as a new start and wants a different name. Squiggy gave him the name Preacher as an insult. Implied that he was a choirboy and not cut out for club life.”

Brigit shakes her head. “I’m glad that guy’s dead. Dad said he joined the club because he was looking for a family. Seems like that family was pretty dysfunctional. Although his parents were dysfunctional, too. They went to prison, and he grew up in the system. He was desperate for stability and settled for dysfunction.”

“The club is a family,” I tell her. “Puma is the best President, even if I do say so myself. Speaking of family, how about some ice cream?”

“I’d love some. Then later, I’m hoping we can make each other scream?”

I groan at her horrible pun. “That was terrible, but I’m game.”

The day’s activities have the kids nodding off in their empty bowls. While the prospects clear the tables, I pick up Colt and carry him to his room. Brigit changes him into his pajamas while I lean against the doorjamb and watch. Seeing her care for our son has me dreaming about putting another baby in her belly. We need to clear her of the murder charge so we can build our life together.

“He wants to say goodnight to you,” Brigit says, moving so I can take her place.

“You had a big day today, huh?” I ask him.

“I love it here. Can we stay?”

“I’m trying to convince your mom. You’ll have to help me. Okay?”

“Okay. We’ll make it happen, Dad.”

Damn, if that one word doesn’t make my heart expand. “Did you have fun with the other kids?”

He nods. “Elina explained about how she and the others will to take over the club once you guys are too told. She said that I can’t be the VP like you because Mal’s going to be VP. I haven’t met him yet. But she said I could be the tech guy. She suggested I hang out with Spark. Can you make that happen? I have lots to learn.”

I want to laugh, but the seriousness of Colt’s expression tells me that I shouldn’t. I knew from the others that Elina had worked out a succession plan for the club, but I guess I hadn’t realized how serious she was.

“I’ll make sure you meet Spark and the rest of the club members. But I wouldn’t worry about learning everything right away. You have time.”

He nods as his eyes droop. I lean over and kiss his forehead before tucking him in. My son. How crazy is that? Watching him sleep, I realize that there isn’t anything that I wouldn’t do to make him happy. There is no one that I wouldn’t kill to keep him safe. The club is my family, and I always thought it would take precedence over anything. But I know that if I had to hand over my kutte to keep Colt and Brigit safe and happy, I would. I don’t think the scenario will come to fruition, but the realization that I wouldn’t think twice about such a decision shocks me to my core.

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