Page 89 of Bear
“Really?” Lane looked at me incredulously and I rubbed the back of my neck while offering her a sheepish grin. “Bear…” Her tone was what I’d always imagined my mother sounding like when she scolded me. I didn’t hate it. In fact, I loved that shit.
“Look, I had to get on his level. As far as he knows, you’re still Luanne’s friend to me. Nothing more. At least this way if he sees me talking to you quietly and privately, he won’t think I know who you really are. He’ll think I’m trying to fuck you.” I cringed a little saying it and so did Cecily and Lane.
Hey, if it worked, it worked.
“Be careful, Bear,” Luanne said from the counter. “Your father still loves Lane even if it is locked away somewhere inaccessible.”
“You’re right,” I agreed. “I saw it in his eyes. I’ve never seen him get so possessive before but the minute I mentioned you, he flared to life.” I locked eyes with my mother and I saw sadness wash over her face.
“I really wish things turned out differently. He can’t turn back the hands of time though and he’s done too much damage. He has to go.” Her words were final and cold even though I knew she still held on to some sort of love for him. It was for the old him. Not the monster he’d turned into over the years.
Once the shower turned off, I looked at all three women in the kitchen. “On your toes,” I warmed them.
Cecily leaned over, placed her palms against my cheeks and kissed my lips slowly. Luanne huffed from behind me and said, “There’s no stopping this, is there?”
“Not a chance in hell, Luanne. I’m in love with this girl right here.”
Cecily laughed happily and ran her fingers through my hair. Our moment was pulled apart by the sound of the doorbell. I knew it was either Ace or Titan.
When I opened the door, Ace was on the other side with a sly smile. “What’s up, Bear? The taxi job is taken care of. He’s chilling at the butcher shop. Where’s your old man?” He kept his voice low and I appreciated him for it.
“Upstairs. Come on in.” I moved to the side and we walked into the kitchen.
“Dimples, what’s up?” Ace stretched out his arms for a hug and Cecily gladly gave him one.
“I told you the mission is to keep her the fuck away from Dad. He’s already said some fucking disgusting things that made me want to put a bullet in him.” I tilted my head to one side then the other to loosen the stiffness in my neck.
“Calm down, Bear. Nothing is going to happen to Dimples on my watch.” The doorbell rang again and that time, Cecily answered it. I could tell by her giggle that Titan had shown up. He was the only person other than me that pulled a goddamn giggle out of her.
“Bear, what’s good?” Titan walked up and we slapped hands. I had my family around me. I felt settled. I felt like the playing field was steadily evening out and I was in control of everything now.
“My father is home,” I told Titan quickly before Dad crept down the steps.
“Oh, shit. So it’s go time.”
“I’m still keeping the same schedule but we’re officially on alert. Run the plan for Cecily. I’m trusting you and Ace with that.”
“I got you.” Titan shifted his gaze to Cecily. “I got you too, darling.”
“I know you do,” she smiled softly. Her fingers slipped between mine and I kissed the back of her hand. I let it go quickly once I heard the steps creaking and my father’s heavy feet moving closer.
“What the fuck is going on in here? We having a party or something?”
I flicked my gaze to Titan and his arm went around Cecily’s waist.
“Nah, no party. Just business. I can move it to the study if you want,” I said, looking at my father. Luanne handed him a sandwich and a cold drink while Lane cleaned up the dishes for her.
“Thank you, Lu,” he muttered. Dad stared at the way Titan whispered in Cecily’s ear, making her giggle then he looked at me. “You gonna introduce me to your men?”
“Oh, for sure. Dad, this is Shadow and this is Ace, my right hand. He’s just coming by for the daily report, then we’re going to ride out.”
“Nice to meet you, gentlemen.” He shook their hands and looked at me again. I saw him calculating things in his head. I knew he had no idea what to make of anything because he’d never met Ace or Titan before. They were new faces.
“I’m gonna call my friend. I’ll be right back.” Cecily bounced out of the room while Titan and Ace both stared at her ass on cue. Once she was gone, they turned back to Dad.
“Nice to meet you, Griff. I’ve heard so much legendary shit,” Ace chuckled.
“Well, thank you, Ace.” Dad bit into his sandwich then let out a hearty chuckle. He waited for Luanne and Lane to leave the kitchen before he spoke again. “Son, I thought Cecily was your pussy? I see she’s friendly, huh?”
