Page 127 of Blue-Eyed Jacks
I locked eyes with Kate.
“Yes.”
Like a key fitting into a lock, my life was complete.I winked at her, then turned on Sprout.“What’s this ‘boss’ shit?”I shoved out of the car and caught his attention.In the small space of time before the rest of the rabble closed in, I hurried to ask a favor from Sprout, “I don’t have any right to ask you for this, but make sure Zoe and Kate are safe, got it?”
“Got it.”He looked past me to the car.“Ladies.Welcome back.”
Kate’s glare matched my own.She joined me, fidgeting.
I nudged her.“This was your idea.”
“I can change my mind, can’t I?”
“Might be a little late for that,” I replied.
She huffed.“Sorry.”
I wrapped my arm around her.“Don’t be.I get to walk in with the two most beautiful women in the world.”Zoe climbed out and took my free side, wrapping an arm around my waist.We stayed like that until the door forced us to walk in single file.I went first, hoping I wasn’t going to get shot crossing the threshold.
The crowd inside was larger than usual.My crew,formercrew that was, Hagerstown’s lot, at least four of the rednecks from West Virginia who werestruggling to lay the foundation of a chapter in that state, a few guys down from Dad’s old chapter in Wilkes-Barre, Nonno’s entourage, and even Bandit and a couple of Pittsburgh’s crew were present.Not all of them, though.
Kate caught up to me and wrapped her arm around my waist.Zoe was on our six, quiet, and I’m certain she was deciding who to shoot first.
Yes, she had my gun.And yes, I gave it to her despite Kate’s protests.I scanned the crowd to judge what we could expect.
Noticeable was the lack of certain attendees.Not a single hanger or hooker was in sight.Big G had been seated at the bar when we walked in.But he headed in our direction.
Nonno followed him—a dog for the master.
I kissed Kate’s cheek, hoping it wouldn’t be the last time for it, and not taking my eyes off the men who held this room and the army of men outside it in their greedy fists.
Big G noticed that kiss.“Introduce me.”
I swallowed.“This is Kate.”
His eyes scanned her.“Just Kate?”
“Just Kate,” she confirmed.
He tipped his head toward Zoe.“And this one?”
“That’s Zoe, my daughter.”
The small twitch of G’s mouth made me nervous.He scanned her, too.“She looks like you.She even looks a little like old Jack.”
That she did.
“But Jack wasn’t nearly as charming.I’m glad she got some of her and your mother’s looks.”
Kate stiffened beside me.Her sharp inhale and the set of her jaw spelled trouble.
Big G smiled.“I meant that in a good way.I have a daughter, too; they don’t always listen.”His tone changed.“Jackson, I have to ask this in front of all of these men.Did you kill Shock?”
I would not look at Zoe.“Nonno knows who did.”And Bandit.I glared at him.
Big G’s gaze shifted to Zoe.“Yes, he told me the events.But I need you to speak the truth to all of these men.”
That was an order.“Truth?The truth is, I don’t have to say anything.Nonno kicked me out.”I stepped forward, pulling on Kate to slide her behind me.
