Page 98 of Blue-Eyed Jacks
His eyes narrowed.“You lied to Shock.”
“Again, when?”
“Sturgis.”Shock strode up with a big grin on his face.“Nonno, thank you for coming.”
“I didn’t lie.I said no one stole your wife.Kate?You left all on your own, didn’t you?I didn’t steal you.”
Her glare was not comforting.“To set the record straight, yes.I left that asshole willingly.”She pointed at Shock.
His grin dropped, and his color darkened.“I stillownyou.”He snapped his fingers and that fucking marriage certificate got shoved back into his mitts.He handed it to Nonno, then requested the other document.
That fucking court orderfor Zoe.
“I ownher, too.”He flashed the document at Kate but handed it to Nonno.
Nonno glanced at it.He shoved it back into Shock’s gut.
“No.”
Shock opened his mouth to speak, but Nonno cut him off.“Any idiot can see the resemblance.And all of you idiots have seen Jackson’s fucking around.He’s made no secret that he’s had his dick in almost every woman within a seven-mile radius of this place.I’m surprised he doesn’t have a dozen kids.”
Nonno paused and motioned Zoe to his side.“You.Come here.”
She looked at me for advice.I didn’t know what Nonno was playing at, but he’d started well.I sent her a small nod, but I was going to watch this closely.She didn’t exactly cuddle up with Nonno, but was within arm’s reach.
I didn’t like it one bit.Neither did Kate, who pushed herself between Nonno and Zoe.“Look, don’t touch.”
“Mouthy, aren’t you?”
Her jaw stiffened.Wisely, she didn’t smart off to the national president.
Nonno stared over their heads at me.“Does she talk toyoulike this?”
I grinned.“All the fucking time.I love it.”I meant that.My eyes locked with Kate’s.I meant that.She wasn’t a mind-reader, so I had no clue if she could see the message on my face.But I stuck it there for the whole world.And with that, I went all in and mouthed, “I love you.”
She frowned and shook her head.
I glanced around to see who was paying attention.
Nonno wasn’t.But Shock was.
A slow grin formed on his face.I didn’t like it one bit.It held a promise of pain.
I’d exposed my weakness in front of him.
And you know what?I would not feel bad about that at all.Let the whole fucking world see me being a sap.Loving Kate was the best thing in the world.It was time the world knew.Even if she didn’t love me back.
Nonno cleared his throat.“Keep a leash on her, then.”
Zoe made a noise of protest.
He quickly added, “Bothof them.”
This time, Kate shushed Zoe with a look, and a single finger held up.She didn’t have to say a word, and my daughter obeyed.
I marveled at the way those two could communicate.On the heels of that, I mourned the years I’d missed with them.If I made it out of this shit alive, I’d spend the rest of my life learning their ways.God willing.
Shock mouthed off.“At Sturgis, you made me look like a liar in front of Nonno.”He motioned toward our leader.
