Page 11 of Wick
"Don't think I don't know what your ass just did for Piper there."
"Well, somebody needs to save her from your naggin'."
"I wasn't fuckin naggin'."
I tip my head and give Nova a look. "You're a helicopter dad, Nova."
Nova grunts his response because he knows I'm telling the truth. Although I get why he is the way he is. Piper is his baby girl. Nova was dealt a shit hand when it came to Piper's mother. She up and fucking bailed the minute Piper was born. I suspect Nova is the way he is with women now due to how shit played out with his ex. Us brothers have been there since the beginning too. Through the diapers, and 2:00 am feedings. We were by his side through every fever, runny nose and earache. We all feel like a bunch of uncles when it comes to that girl. And don't let Nova's man whore ways fool you. My brother is one hell of a father.
Jumping into the truck, I start the engine, but before I pull out, I turn to Nova. "All bullshittin' aside, man. You've taught Piper well. She's a great fuckin' driver. It's time to loosen the reins and allow her to prove that to you."
"Now you sound like Abel." Nova sighs and scrubs his hand down his face. "She's growin' up too fast, brother."
"Yeah, she is. And there is not a goddamn thing you can do to stop it."
"Fuck." Nova hangs his head, and I can't help but laugh.
"Come on," I clap him on the shoulder. "Let's make this run so we can come back here and celebrate welcoming our new brother."
Nova and I are headed back to Riggs' grandfather's place when out of the blue, he mentions a topic that I'm not interested in engaging in. "You heard from, Tequila since she left?"
The muscles in my jaw tick. "No."
"Abel said somethin' about a mission. I was just wondering if she was back yet?"
"And why is that?" I snap.
Nova looks at me, blinks slowly, then a shit-eating grin spreads across the asshole's face.
"No reason. I kind of like havin' her around. She's cool and fuckin' sexy as hell," Nova continues.
My grip on the steering wheel tightens, and the longer he speaks, the more I want to rip his head off.
"I'm thinkin' the next time she's in town, she and I…" Nova doesn't get a chance to finish his last sentence because before I know what comes over me, my foot slams on the break and the truck skids to a dead stop in the middle of the road.
I ignore the honking of the horns that blare from the vehicles behind me as I turn in the seat to face Nova. "You lay one finger on Vayda, and I will not be responsible for my actions. I don't want you thinkin' about her. Don't even let her name slip past your lips."
By the time I finish spewing my warning, Nova looks delighted with himself. It's then I realize what he did.
"You're a goddamn asshole. You know that?"
"I know," he chuckles. "But it's so much fun gettin' a rise out of you. Plus, it's like pullin' teeth to get you to admit how you feel about Tequila. I don't know who you think you're foolin', brother. We all know."
"What is it you think you know?" I regret the question the second it leaves my mouth.
"That you're in love with her." I don't deny his bold statement as he continues. "You also have it in your fucked-up head; you can't be with her. Even though it's clear she feels the same way." Nova sighs. "I'm going to say this and promise not to bring it up again. You have to let the guilt you're carrying go. Look, my brother hasn't told me the details of what happened with you and what went down with Tequila's brother, Damien, but do you believe he would want you holding on to the past? You were his best friend, and Tequila is his sister. You need to stop and have a heart to heart with your conscience. I guarantee this is not what Damien would have wanted for the two of you."
I let Nova's speech sink in the rest of the ride back to Mr. LeBlanc's. I can't help but wonder if Nova is right. My problem is not so much what Damien would think about me going after Vayda; it's about me not thinking I'm good enough. The fact is, Vayda is an extraordinary woman; nobody is going to be good enough for her. There is also no man alive who could love her or take care of her as I can.
Back at the house, I park the truck and stay rooted in the driver's seat while Nova hops out. Before he shuts the door, he leaves me a few parting words. "It's time to either piss or get off the pot, Wick. A woman like Tequila is bound to catch someone's eye, and she's not going to wait around on you forever." Nova goes to shut the door but pauses and turns back to me. "Ask yourself this, brother. Can you honestly step aside and let another man be with her? Love her, marry her, and give her children? Tell me, Malik; what do those thoughts do to you?" Without another word, Nova slams the truck door and walks off. I'd be lying if I said his words didn't make my gut clench and blood boil all at the same time.
Fuck.The thought of another man taking what's mine has me seeing red. "Shit," I mutter to the empty cab of the truck.
Night has fallen, a fire is burning, the music is low, and laughter fills the air as I sit in a lounge chair while nursing a cold beer. I catch Riggs walking out of his granddad's house and is headed this way with something clutched in his hand. A cut. The one he is about to give Everest. The rest of my brothers and I stand. Everest who is chatting with Josie notices the men have gone quiet and a tremendous smile spreads across his face the moment he notices what Prez has. Riggs steps up to where we are gathered and begins his speech.
"Everest, come here, son." Everest sets his beer down on the table beside him and makes his way over to Prez. "Brother." Riggs addresses Everest by the title for the very first time. His chest swells, and he stands a little taller at his President calling him brother. Becoming one of our brothers fills him with pride. I knew early on Everest would make a damn fine addition to the club. "I'm not going to drag this out. You've paid your dues and been a damn good prospect for almost a year now. You've shown the loyalty, grit, and dedication needed to be part of The Kings of Retribution. I speak for all of us as I hand you this cut," Riggs holds the leather jacket out in front of him, displaying The Kings' logo. "We are damn proud to have you wear this patch; representing the club, and proud to call you our brother." Raising our drinks high, the rest of us cheer and salute as he slides on his cut.
A few hours later, I'm back home and standing under the spray of hot water in the shower. The party for Everest ended with Fender passed out on Mr. LeBlanc's porch and the old man leaving him there, after several attempts to wake his ass up. Nova and Piper ended up staying there too whereas Riggs and Luna left the same time I did. Kiwi and Everest wound up going with Josie and Payton back to the clubhouse where I'm sure their party will continue. In all, today was a great day. Now if I could get Nova's words to stop playing out over and over inside my head. Closing my eyes, visions of Vayda's beautiful face push aside all other thoughts inside my brain. Her gorgeous as fuck eyes and how each time she looks at me with her whiskey color orbs. My heart feels like it's going to beat right out of my chest. I love the way her pouty lips part whenever I speak her name. It's as if her name on my lips does to her what her eyes do to me.
