Page 14 of Bound by Vengeance
“Good. Mom’s giving me shit. Nothing new there.”
He pulls away, smiling down at me. “I bet she is. And looks like she won, considering you’re here.”
I shrug. “Figured I’d let this one ride.”
He chuckles deeply. “Yeah.”
“Yeah, years of practice and all.”
In reality, getting one over on my mother is harder than breaking out of a prison. This is me and my dad, though—joking, laughing, being us. It feels good to have that back after being closed up these past few months. Yes, it’s definitely time to claim my life back.
“Years and years. Good to have ya here.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
He kisses the top of my head again before releasing me then going to my mother and kissing her roughly and deeply.
Their love is a once in a lifetime kind of thing. Growing up, watching it develop and come to life has made me want, at least at one time. The way my father sneaks touches, kisses, or even when he full-out doesn’t care who’s watching and takes my mother. The way they joke, their laughter filling our house with that enjoyment. They didn’t have to fake it. Ever. Their connection was just there, strong and all-consuming.
When I was younger I’d do the ew, gross thing all the time, but as I grew older, I loved seeing that interaction between them. It made me hope and dream.
I had fantasies that I’d find a man just like my father one day. That he’d love me unconditionally, kissing me when he wanted, not caring who was around to see it, showing me his passion for me, and we’d form a bond that no one could break.
That’s what they were, though. Fantasies. Because, a girl like me doesn’t get those. A girl like me has to live in the moment. A girl like me has to deal with what life has thrown in my face. A girl like me doesn’t get to have those touches. Not now. Coming to terms with that these last few months has been part of my challenge.
Life decided to throw me curveballs. It decided to kick me in the teeth while I was down. It decided to do it again, repeatedly, not letting up, holding me down. It’s why I need to get back my control.
“Austyn!” Bristyl, my older brother Cooper’s woman, calls from across the room, running toward me with her arms extended.
Guess today is going to be a day for hugging.
She wraps her arms around me. “You’re here!!”
“That I am.”
Bristyl and my brother have been together for a while. She’s a pistol of a woman who has a strong business sense. She and my brother started managing storage units for the club. She used to manage some back where she’s from, but now runs the club’s. She was going to come help us move in, but something came up at work.
She pulls away, a wide smile gracing her face. “Come help Ma and me in the kitchen.” She pulls me by the hand into the kitchen where my grandmother, who we call Ma, is whipping up food.
She turns to me and does the whole hug thing. “So happy to have your beautiful face here again.” She gives me a squeeze, not asking questions.
This goes on for a while—the hugs and greetings. With as large as our family is, it takes hours. Luckily, I didn’t get the are you okay question too many times.
It’s not until hours later that I get my opportunity, deciding it’s time. Taking back my life means I need to get information.
And today is the day to get it. I have a reason to be at the clubhouse and an opportunity I can’t let pass.
Moving quickly down the stairs to the basement, I make my way to the door I need. Turning the handle, I find it’s locked, which is expected. I reach into my bag and pull out my lock picks, a present from Tug, one of the brothers, who taught me how to use them.
Quickly and efficiently, I take care of the lock and open the door. Before me stands rows of computers and a hub. I shut the door, lock it, and move to the monitors.
Buzz taught me many things about computers and took lots of time with me in doing so because I showed interest. He just didn’t know I’d be using his knowledge to hack into the Ravage system. I like to think of it more as gaining needed information from those I love. They’re family and we’re sharing information. It’s a good way to look at it.
A hairdresser who can crack computers. No, I haven’t put that on an application, but I may be able to find a good job for it.
There should be something out there that would fit that bill.
I fire up the machines, knowing Buzz has it set up with a ton of security that I’ll need to whittle through. It will take me some time, but I’ve been taught by the best.
