Page 51 of Bound by Destiny
“I bet he is.” She bumps my shoulder and wiggles her eyes. “He had my vote the moment he danced with little Mazie.”
“Is that so?”
“You know how the guys in Ravage are set in their ways. They want things how they want them and don’t bend too easily. They’re… well, men.”
I shake my head because yes, that sounds like every male in this club.
“When a Ravage man, who knows he’s gonna get razzed for it, takes Mazie’s hand not breaking a sweat, that’s a good man. He didn’t tire with her or get frustrated one bit. Instead, he kept going with a smile on his face, knowin’ what would be comin’ once he finished. That right there shows a man’s character.”
My mind instantly drifts to kids. I’ve always wanted them. Now, I envision them with Jacks’ blue eyes and shaggy hair running around the backyard.
“What’s with the dreamy look?”
I shake my head. “It’s silly.”
“Dreamin’ of Jacks and your kids?”
It’s my turn to shove her in the shoulder as we burst out laughing.
Jacks pokes his head around the corner. “Gotta head out, gorgeous. Then I’m on Pops duty tonight.” I still my laughter hoping that he didn’t hear what we were talking about. I’m not quite ready for that conversation yet.
“I can come with ya and visit Pops.”
He comes to me and kisses my temple. “That’s up to you, but when you want to go home, let me know and I’ll get one of the guys to bring ya. I’ll call ya when I’m headed there.”
Another kiss, this time to the lips, and he’s off. Strange how I already miss him and the door just shut behind him.
This is what Pops meant about not being able to live or breathe without the other. What he left out was the other half of your soul. Yeah, it’s that deep. Never knew that love would feel like this all-consuming need for another human being. Now if I could just wrap him up in bubble wrap and keep him safe from everything else out there, that’d be great. Too bad it’s not an option.
22
Jacks
“Be safe,and I’ll be back in a few hours.” Kissing Emery hard has Pops clearing his throat, getting our attention. “What?” I ask. “Look at her. You’d kiss her too.”
“Son, she’s my granddaughter. Talk like that again and I’ll put a fist through your face.”
Emery laughs. “I’m glad you’re feelin’ better, Pops.”
“Me too.” Pops lifts his arms up, still covered in wires with some poking out of the top of his gown. “Can’t wait to get all this shit off of me.”
“Tomorrow afternoon will come faster than you know.” Emery smiles reassuringly.
“Not fast enough.” The grumble is low. Yeah, Pops isn’t the most loveable patient, but who can blame him with all the monitors and tests they keep doing on him. The good thing is everything they’ve done so far has come back good. Hence why they’re letting him break out tomorrow.
“I’ll probably fall asleep, but I’ll be there for ya,” Emery says, then blows a kiss to Pops.
I turn to Nox. “Keep her safe.”
His eyes penetrate me. “Like I ever wouldn’t.” True, he has shit going down, but I do trust him to keep my woman safe. That’s what we do.
After the door shuts, Pops is all business. “What’s the update on the fucker?”
“Today the dumbass used a credit card telling us his cash is a lot lower than we thought. We got footage from the store and traced him as far as we could with street cameras. He drove toward Albany, but he could’ve stopped anywhere on that route. Guys are out combing right now, looking for his car and him. We’ll get it.”
“I can’t believe that piece of shit is still ruining our lives. You’d think once was enough, now his fuckin’ kid comes up. Stupid motherfucker.”
I move to the side of his bed and take a seat. “We’ll get him.” And we will. Come hell or high water.
