Page 8 of Greater than the Heart
Cade stood up and straightened his tie and suit jacket. “You think I can intimidate that fucker enough to get him to leave me alone?”
Cleveland laughed as he pulled out a Glock, slipping out the magazine. “It’s Ford’s, and we keep it under the bar. I’ve been preachin’ to him to get you a license to carry but for now, let’s just see how this goes. This isn’t the only gun we have behind the bar, I’m just sayin’,” Cleveland told Cade.
Cade took the gun and checked that the safety was on. He turned it off and ejected a bullet already in the chamber. Cleveland stared at him with shock.
“I’ve had a gun license before, but I let it lapse. I know how to handle a gun, Cleve, don’t worry. I don’t wanna kill the asshole, just intimidate him into not coming back here. All I want is for him to leave me alone.” Cade said firmly.
Cleveland nodded as they walked downstairs. Cade had the gun tucked into his trousers behind his back as he approached the bar where Brady glared at Marcus. “I’ve got this, Brady.” Cade stepped up to the bar.
“Marcus, you’re not welcome here. I’m part owner in this place, and I have no idea why you think you can waltz in here and demand to see me. I want nothing to do with you. Leave now before I call the police,” Cade stated with as much authority as he could muster.
The large man reached out toward Cade, but before his hand got close, his arm was restrained behind his back and his face kissed the bar. Cade looked up to see a handsome face.
“Hello, Mr. Delacroix. Is this asshole bothering you?” the tall Norse God asked.
It was Hans Linder, and he was a welcome sight. He’d been at the wedding, and he and Jax had stayed in touch after Jax left the Chicago club. The timing was incredible.
“As a matter of fact, Hans, he’s a piece of garbage I can’t seem to shed. If you’ll escort him out, I’d appreciate it. Oh, and make sure he knows he’s never welcome here again. His picture will be posted at the door.” Cade slipped the gun from behind his back and handed it to Cleveland. It wasn’t needed, but it was nice to know it was there if anything popped off.
A short guy approached the bar and smiled at Cade. “You’re Kincade Delacroix. I’m Hans’ boyfriend, Andy Booker. He’s told me so much about you guys. I couldn’t wait to meet you,” the kid told him.
Oh, but he didn’t stop there, stepping closely into Cade’s space. “We’ve been together for about three months, but Hans is still under the radar. I’m surprised he agreed to come out tonight, but I guess it’s a good thing he was here. Can I have a strawberry daiquiri?” the young man asked.
After Cade processed the information the kid offered, he judged the young man to be about twenty. Since Hans was only twenty-three or four, the age difference wasn’t anything headline worthy. “How about a virgin one? You’re still in virgin territory, right?” Cade asked quietly.
He saw Andy swallow. “I was kinda hopin’ to cure myself of that particular affliction tonight. I’ll take a virgin one, but if you could turn your head and allow that handsome bartender to pour a little rum into it, I’m sure I’ll appreciate it tomorrow.”
The two of them talked until Hans returned just as Cyrus cued up some Stevie Wonder. It was a beautiful song Cade loved, and he took the young man’s hand, which grabbed Hans’s and pulled him to the dance floor.
It was going to be the last time Cade lost himself in something mindless because he had a lot to worry about at home.
When Cleve, Griff, and the other dancers came out to join them, Cade danced his heart out. He couldn’t imagine losingeither of the men in his life, so he didn’t. He closed his eyes and danced like it was the last time he’d ever dance again in his life.
The three Delacroix men were sitting in Dr. Imani’s waiting room three weeks later. It had been a hell of a rollercoaster ride for them, but love had persevered.
Ford had been convalescing at home and was back for a post-surgical check-up and the determination if there would be any additional treatment needed as a follow-up. “I think it’s a good sign he didn’t want to see you right away, Bix.” Cade flipped through his phone, nerves apparent.
“Yeah, I think he’s right, babe. If it was serious, I’d think the doc would want to see you as soon as possible. I’d think they’d want to begin treatment right away, so this is probably good news.
“After we finish here, let’s go out for lunch. There’s that Korean barbecue place near the old apartment building that we all really liked. We haven’t been there for at least a year,” Jax suggested.
“Oh, yeah. I remember that place. I always thought Raney would love it. I should email him to see how he’s doing. He’s finishing his second year of law school, and the last I heard, he was interviewing for a summer internship,” Cade shared with them.
He hoped to get Ford’s mind on anything else but the reason they were sitting in the god-awful room that smelled of disinfectant and some wretched cologne someone must haveworn while sitting and waiting a lifetime for news regarding whether they were going to live or die.
Cade wondered why the doctors’ waiting rooms had to be so damn awful. Most people were there for treatment of some medical condition. Did the room have to make them miserable, as well?
Just as he was about to share his thoughts on the matter, the door opened and a petite woman wearing a scarf over her head stepped into the waiting room. “Mr. Delacroix?”
The three of them rose from their chairs to follow her. “Uh, maybe just one of you? The room’s small,” she stated as Ford stepped forward first.
“No. One’s my husband and the other’s our son. Both of them come or get the doctor to come the fuck out here and talk to us. It’s been two goddamn weeks, and when I finally get in to see him, I gotta sit here for forty-five fuckin’ minutes? I’d say that’s enough inconvenience to me.” Ford’s comments were extremely uncharacteristic. Cade supposed it was expected because they’d all been a nervous mess while waiting for any word on the other test results.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Delacroix, but Dr. Imani was out of the office until today. His wife had a baby, you see,” the woman explained as if that would make them feel better about the situation.
“Oh, that’s lovely. I’m waiting to find out if I’m going to lose my other nut or possibly die, and he’s home changing diapers. That’s just spectacular,” Ford snapped again.
“Branford, babe, it’s not the time to shoot the messenger. She’s just the nurse,” Jax tried to soothe.
