Page 97 of Next Level
Jared sits there staring at me. I give him time to think about it.
“You mean become a Royal Bastard like you?”
“Yes, after talking with Sam and looking over your files, I think you’ve been dealt a shitty hand. Sammie believes in you and said that all you’ve ever wanted was a family.”
Jared looks down at his folded hands.
“So, you’d be welcomed into our family for life. You’d never be alone again. I’d help you get through this legal stuff, and once you’re released, you can come live with us at the compound andbecome a prospect. If you do the work and keep your head clean, you can have a great life with brothers who would never leave your side.
“All this if I forget my feelings for your daughter,” Jared says, looking torn.
“Yes, obviously you’ll see her when she’s at the compound, but I forbid you to be with her other than as friends.”
Jared tilts his head, evaluating me. “What about George and Garrett?”
“They won’t be a problem. I’ll keep them from hurting you ever again.”
“Why would you do this for me? I took your daughter. Why help me?”
“Because I feel you’re a victim in all of this shit as well as Samantha. Bastards help those in need, and I think you’re a good kid. You, in your own way, helped protect my kid, and I’d like to help you in return. My only rule is that Samantha is off limits.”
“What do I say to her? How do I tell her I don’t feel the same way anymore when she’ll see I do?”
“Well, spend the time you have in jail figuring that out, but she can never know we had this meeting or that I gave you this stipulation. This is between you and me. You end it with her and become a Bastard for life.”
Jared stares at me for a few seconds. “I’ll try, sir. I know I don’t deserve her. She’s perfect in every way. I just don’t think I can lie to her, but I’ll stay away from her and keep my distance. I’ll refuse all communication with her, but I won’t stop loving or protecting her, sir.”
“Well, kid, that’s a start. We have a long road ahead of us, but that’s a start. Keep your head down. Do the time until I see you in court.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Call me Level,” I say, standing up.
“Okay, thank you, Level,” Jared says, sounding more hopeful than when I first walked in.
When I shut the door behind me, Officer Wilkerson is still standing there, watching Jared. “So, did you get what you needed?”
“Yeah.”
“And?”
“He really does love my daughter. I’m going to try to get the prosecutor to drop some of the charges against him. Our lawyer will be defending him, saying he was coerced into doing it and was afraid for her life if he didn’t stay with her. He’ll do time, but hopefully not much.”
“You’ll let him be with your daughter?”
“Fuck no. I’m going to fight that till the day I die. No man is good enough for my baby girl.” I declare.
Officer Wilkerson throws his head back and laughs. “You’re crazy.”
“Yes, that I am.”
“Do you see a future for the kid?” Wilkerson asks.
“As a Royal Bastard, I do. He’ll make a great brother. He’s loyal.” I grab the other door leading us out of the rooms. “Now I need to go meet with my attorney before catching my flight home.”
“Like you weren’t even here.”
“Exactly.”
