Page 60 of Blue-Eyed Jacks
“Zoe.”My voice was a reverent whisper.
“Fuck man, that’s a good name.”
It was.And I had nothing to do with it.Just like I’d have nothing to do with her future.I wouldn’t be there to cock-block assholes when she started dating.
“Oh shit,” I whispered, my thoughts already screwing with me.
“What?”
“She’s sixteen.”
Sprout’s horror morphed into a puckered face, and then he guffawed.“Ohshit, boss.You’re going to go gray overnight once we collect her.Brace yourself for your ultimate nightmare.You’re not only going to be a dad in a couple of hours, but a dad of a teenage girl.A little female clone of you.”
My head dropped, and I rubbed the budding headache from between my brows.And emotion hit me hard.I didn’t want to give her up.Not ever.And I certainly didn’t want her going off to God-knows-where.A place I couldn’t be her protector.
Tits was onto something.I wasnotcertain about giving them up.Moreover, I wasn’t the kind of person who ran.Sure, I lied, I evaded, I flexed reality as much as I could to mask my crimes.But I also was not a man afraid of tackling a tough problem and meeting it with force.I’d spent years building the club, picking fearless men.My immediate brothers didn’t shy away from challenges.And they could not be ruled, except by the High King of Fools.Me.Theirbrother.The one guy who made sure this madhouse had walls twelve feet high and enough killers in the ranks to wage a regional war.
I texted Wolf.It was short and sweet.
Tits is right.I’m fighting for her this time.Brace yourself.
Chapter 18
Kate
The drone of tires on asphalt and the puttering of the engine slowed.The trip started with good intentions, watching Zoe carefully, monitoring her speed and her distance, making sure she wasn’t swerving or not in control.But when she proved herself as not only a cautious driver but a steady one, my apprehension faded.With it, my ability to stay awake.I hadn’t been the passenger in so long that the lack of vigilance lulled me into much-needed rest.
“Where are we?”
“Getting gas.”Zoe pulled up to the pump and maybe hit the brakes a little harder than I would, but otherwise, she handled the entire event well.“I’ll go in and pay.”She held out her hand.
I dug into the petty cash that was dwindling too quickly.We’d have to go to ground soon or risk running out.As I handed it off, I blinked to clear the fuzziness out of my eyes.
A sign in the distance marked the fast-food restaurant down the double-lane highway.I squinted because there was a large road sign indicating a major highway.And it was too familiar.I got out of the car so I could see better and immediately knew my competent daughter was too damn competent.She came out of the store with a receipt in hand.
“Here.”She handed it off and began pumping gas.We’d need that full tank of gas to get as far away from this place as possible.
I waited until she returned the spout to its cradle.“Keys.”
“I got it, Mom.”
“We’re in Pennsylvania.”The keystone circling the highway number gave it away.
One shoulder went up, and I waited for her to match it to the “So?”in her eyes.But she didn’t say it.Instead, she squared up.
When did she get taller than me?
“We’re going to Dad, and if you throw a fit, I’m going to toss one right back.”She motioned to the busy station.
Under my breath, I hissed out, “Do you know how dangerous this is?”To punctuate my warning, a motorcycle roared past.I didn’t dare look because I’d truly freak out if I saw Destroyers colors on their back.Fit or not, Zoe and I were leaving this goddamned state as fast as possible.“Keys.”
“No.”She pushed the lock button on the car.Its chirp caught the attention of the guy pumping gas on the next island over.He smiled and did a little head nod, then continued filling his truck as if my daughter and I weren’t having a standoff in the middle of the lot.However, I couldn’t count on that if Zoe started a true tirade.She’d fooled me earlier, and I had no doubt she could fool complete strangers into doing her bidding.
“Let’s talk in the car.”I motioned for her to unlock it again.
“No.”
“Zoe.”
