Page 86 of Bear
“He did that shit to throw you off.”
“I know. Listen, I’m sending a picture your way of a cab driver. I need him to disappear. He’s clearly on the wrong payroll.”
“Consider it done. You need me at the house? How’s Dimples?”
“Shit. I need to text her. She’s upstairs. She’s fine. When you get done with the taxi job, come through.”
“Say no more.” We ended our conversation and I looked up at my bedroom window. I knew Cecily was in there trying to figure out what the fuck was going on downstairs.
Me: Don’t wear anything sexy. Take off the necklace.
I didn’t see a response or three jumping dots telling me she was in the middle of responding. I took long steps toward the house and walked in, scanning for Cecily. I only heard Dad’s voice talking to Luanne. I peered in the living room and saw Cecily’s phone on the couch where we were moments before Dad decided to pop up unannounced.
Fuck.
I headed to the stairs but it was too late. Cecily was already on her way down wearing a sundress that, under any other circumstances, would have made my dick extremely happy. It was royal blue and hugged every tight curve she had as it swept her ankles. It dipped low in the front giving me a lovely view of her chocolate tits and dainty neck that still my bear paw necklace. It glinted gold against her beautiful skin and I wished I could telepathically tell her to take that shit off.
“Well, well, well…” Dad’s voice stretched around the corner wrapping me in frustration and anger. “Is this little Cecily?” I glanced over my shoulder in time to see his wolfish grin stretch from ear to ear.
I had to keep my cool.
Calm the fuck down, Bear.
“Oh my goodness.” Cecily placed a hand over her chest and it was the emphasis needed to push Dad’s eyes right to the necklace. My blood turned to ice at the sound that left his mouth.
“Nice necklace, Cecily,” he chuckled. It wasn’t meant to be a warm chuckle. It was frozen and menacing and it held the promise of danger. I wanted to pull a pistol from the hiding place behind the mirror on the wall and shoot him where he fucking stood.
Calm the fuck down, Bear.
“Thank you. I was going through Bear’s shit and I took it,” Cecily shrugged easily as she came down the steps.
My girl was sharp.
I could tell how hard it was for her not to gravitate toward me and stand at my side. It was equally hard for me not to possessively snag her waist and put my arms around her like a shield.
“See why you don’t let women roam freely around the house, son? They steal.” He pointed at her then winked.
“Hand it over, baby doll.” I held my hand open and Cecily gladly plopped the bear paw in my palm. I hated how naked she looked without it.
“You certainlyarea baby doll. Good lord, Cecily.” Dad walked around her in a circle like a shark circling prey. Electricity shot through my muscles down to my fingers. My trigger finger in particular. “How old are you now, sweetheart?”
“Twenty-one,” she smiled. I sensed the unease jittering beneath her skin but she held her own like a pro.
“Old enough to drink…good. You spending the night here like you used to when you were little?” He asked her. He came to a stop in front of her and peered down at her making no attempt to hide the fact that he was looking straight down her dress. My fingers balled against my palm turning to fists at my side.
Calm down, Bear.
“I don’t know. My friend is gonna stop by and we might hang out at her place. Your party isn’t until tomorrow, right?”
“Right. I expect to see you there. It would be nice to see you back here tonight. I’ve been locked up for a long time and I haven’t seen a woman as beautiful as you since before I went in. I’m trying to see more of you and less of this pretty little dress you have on.” He slid a finger down her bare arm and I ran a hand over my face. My father was plucking at every thread of composure I had. He was a wicked blade slicing through every tie one by one.
“Mr. Griffon, you know I’m kind of with Bear…right?” Cecily laughed uneasily and took a step closer to me. I wanted to will her to stand her ground. Dad could smell fear a mile away. He fed on it the same as me.
One side of his mouth lifted in a smirk. “We share things in this family. I’m sure Bear won’t mind sharing you too. Don’t forget your place, little girl.” He touched her chin and shook his head. “I have some ideas for those dimples.” He winked at her then walked off leaving me a tense steaming mass of knots ready to shoot.
“Yo, Dad should I tell the soldiers that you’re home?” I asked, eager to get him the fuck out of the house.
“Nah. Wait until tomorrow. I came home early to unwind a little before everyone swarmed me. I’m going to take a shower and do some shopping. I need to look fly for my party.”
