Page 67 of Bound by Desire
As much as I don’t want to, my gaze goes to my father. “I did. Went to my father. He assumed I relapsed. He had some words for me and didn’t leave me much choice.” I watch as his face jumps, but turn away to avoid any other reaction. “That’s why I started fighting with Princess and got the hell out of here as soon as Icould.”
“Why didn’t you come to me?”Cruzasks.
I shrug. “Young, stupid, and my father didn’t believe me, so why would any of you?” I heave in a tight breath, wanting to look at my father and see his reaction to my words. Still, I refrain, not wanting to see his reaction—whatever itmaybe.
“Holy fuckin’ shit,” Tug says, putting his hands through his hair and looking up at theceiling.
“Look, the point is, JK knows I’m back. I don’t know what power he has around here, so I can’t judge his nonverbal threat. Personally, I can beat the hell out of him and snap his neck, but there’s a chance he can go after someone else. That, I’m not having.” I take a pull from my beer, and then simply hold the bottle. The coolness feels good againstmyskin.
My father charges at me, fury bubbling off him, but this is nothing new, unfortunately. “You mean to tell me that you stayed away for four years, not tellin’ a soul that this dickhead was around and could dope up yourfamily!”
I rise, meeting him eye-to-eye. “Yep.”
The swing comes hard and fast. I don’t bother ducking. No, I take it at full force, my eyes staying glued to the man whoraisedme.
He heaves in and out, spittle coming out from between his lips. It takes serious control on my part when everything inside of me is telling me to swing back. Everything is telling me to knock him down on his ass and show him I don’t take any shit from anyone anymore. I just stare at him, dead center in the eyes, even as I feel a trickle of blood slip downmychin.
“I’m giving you that one hit, old man. You won’t get asecond.”
“I can’t believe you!” he roars, unresponsive to my warning. “What if he would’ve gotten Emery hooked onthatshit!”
“He didn’t,” I respond, much calmer than I intend, which I’m proud of. “When exactly did you starthatingme?”
My father flinches like I hit him, just as hedidme.
“Sure, I’ve fucked up, but it started before then, and you know it. I’m not perfect likeCooper.”
“We’re talkin’ about you puttin’ your family in danger!” my father yells, shakinghishead.
Cruz sets his hand on my father’s shoulder. “No, man, we’re talkin’ about a kid who left, thinkin’ it was the only choice he had to protect those he gave a shit about.” His gaze comes to me. “You keep in check with Emery; know what’s going onwiththem?”
Inod.
“So, you made your sacrifice and kept your pulse on family, all while makin’ a life and a name for yourselfalone?”
I make no motions and don’t speak. Whatever they want to think or believe isonthem.
Cruz flexes his hand on my father’s shoulder. “Right now, we need to focus on what’s going on. GT, you and I’ll talk after this.” Cruz releases him then turns to the brothers. “Alright, all intel on this asshole. I want to know where he shits, eats, and who he fucks. He picks his fuckin’ nose, I want to know. This man, and whoever works for him, are a threat. You lock down your kids. They stay at home or you bring them here until we work shit out.” Cruz turns to me. “You work with Cooper and Nox. They’ll show you where tostart.”
Chairs scrape on the floor as men move throughout. My father finally turns and makes his way down the hallway,followingCruz.
Nox’s look is one of bafflement, which we don’t havetimefor.
This club, the one that I’ve tried so hard to distance myself from over the last four years, is taking my back. At my word. No qualms. Believing me and trusting me. Something I didn’t feel like I’d have all thattimeago.
Unlike my father, who still hasn’t said a word to me. Not even a fuck you, you’re full of shit.Nothing.
I hate it. Full-out hate it. It feeds the beast inside of me. The urge to fight hits hard, but seeing the men around me, the ones who have my back, the intensity dies down. I’ve lived many years with only myself to take my back. Now these men are, and it’s something I never thought I’d have. I find that I like it.Alot.
“Let’s do this,” Cooper says, and then we get down to doing whatRavagedoes.
ChapterEighteen
Cleaningmy house has never been something I enjoy. It’s just going to get messy again, so what’s the point? However, I have nervous energy. Deke called and is going to face some of his demons with his family today, and hopefully lay them to rest. Not to mention hopefully make this JK assholegoaway.
I can’t imagine what he feels like. It was so hard for him to open up to me, yet he did it. With his father there at this meeting, Lord knows what sparks will fly. I don’t want that for him. Not that he can’t handle it, but he’s lived through enough guilt. He needs to be free of it once and for all. It’s what we all want—tolivefree.
It’s my day off from both places, and I wish I had to work. I need something else to do besides clean the damnhouse.
