Page 34 of Unruly Defender
But that fucker changed it all when he got caught and made it seem I was the one ripping everyone off.He must have done it in the days after the deaths of our fathers.So, ultimately there were three sets and no one knew about these two my father had safely stashed in his safe...to protect the evidence as he went out to investigate on his own.
I had my suspicions Rush had something to do with everything.Mainly due to a text I received right before my father left for that meeting where he let me know he needed to talk to me about Rush and the company.
Why the hell didn’t my father do things differently?Trusted another person to have his back?Trusted me.I’ve asked myself these questions many times.Even more because I’ve been stabbed in the back by one of my own brothers.And now I realize he not only betrayed me, my father, and his own father.But I’m sitting on evidence that gives motive for the murder of my father and his own.
I can’t wrap my head around the fact someone wouldn’t twist his hand about killing his own father.Over money?Or was Rush deep into something bigger he couldn’t get out of?Fuck.It’s driving me insane.
“What was it about me and Henley that made you check the safe?”Gracy questions.
My mother’s face turns to my old lady and she gives her a warm, but sad smile.“You two reminded me of William and myself.When Henley told me he was going to claim you as his old lady it made me want to hold the leather property cut William gave me when I became his old lady.It was in the safe.We put it there many years ago because I didn’t have to wear it.In the years of our relationship where he was building up the club I did.It has a patch on the back that says ‘Property of Pierce.’Wearing it made everyone aware who I belonged to, who protected me.Through the years everyone knew and respected me and it made wearing it unnecessary.I wanted to preserve it.”Her eyes trail off into the distance and I know her thoughts are with my father.
“I would love to see it,” Gracy says, her voice filled with emotion.
My mother’s head turns in her direction and she reaches out to stroke Gracy’s cheek.“I wanted to give the cut to Henley so he could give it to you.But when I took it out of the safe, I noticed the envelope lying underneath it.”
“I’m going to make everything right,” I vow fiercely.“All you need to worry about is getting your strength back so you can enjoy sitting on the patio while watching the waves of the sea caress the beach.Remember the mornings and nights you and dad would spend together.”
That’s one thing my father did and never let anything or anyone influence that time of day.My mother gives me a radiant smile as she repeats the words my dad used to say.“Sunsets and sunrises are there to remind you of time passed and time to come, a solid promise of life and how the world keeps turning.”
“A life shared together and hold strong to embrace a new day,” I croak, words my mother used to say to my father in return.
A lone tear slides over her cheek.“Promise me one thing, Henley.”
“Anything,” I tell her, my voice a strong promise.
“Don’t make the same mistakes your father made.Even if you think you’re protecting the ones you love, don’t.He never shared club information with me, but in return I never asked.But looking back now...I would have rather carried some of the burdens with him because in the end he thought he needed to take everything on himself.Maybe I’m taking this the wrong way, and with Rush’s father involved and Nicolaus being his VP and everything, maybe William felt like he couldn’t trust anyone, but I dread this is what got him killed.Gracy is right here, Henley, and she’s strong.She’s been there for me every day since I met her.Don’t shut her out, don’t shut anyone out and think you can handle everything by yourself.”
Through all this turmoil of emotions I feel like I need to lighten the mood.My mother needs it more than anything.This leads me to quip, “I don’t need the sales pitch, Ma.I already claimed her and I intend to keep her; sunsets, sunrise, and everything in between while this world keeps on spinning.”
Fuck.The way her eyes start to water makes me doubt if this was the right thing to say.
She turns her head to Gracy.“I would like to have grandchildren very soon.”
“Ma!”I snap.
My mother chuckles vindictively and says, “It was worth a try to speed things up with me lying in here.I’m not dead yet, son.But, like I said, I would like to have some grandchildren.Embrace what you have.Fully embrace, Henley.”
I understand her underlying tone.And I know she’s right and I have been trusting Gracy from the start, even more than others.I’ve even shared about the papers.We all learn from our mistakes and this is too big to handle for only one person.
I reach out and take Gracy’s hand.“I am, believe me, I am.”
Gracy gives me a shy smile and now even her eyes are filling with tears.Shit.We need to get out of here before mine start to water.
“Ma, I need to go handle things now.I’m putting a prospect in the hallway to keep an eye on you.If there’s anything, holler, okay?We’ll come by tomorrow to pick you up so don’t start to hit on any sexy doctors because come morning, we’re busting you out of here.”
She smacks my upper arm but grabs it right after and gives a slight pull.Knowing what she wants I lean in and give her a hug.
“Take my cut from the safe and give it to your old lady, let everyone see who she belongs to.”
“Will do, Ma,” I tell her, and give her an extra squeeze and a kiss on her forehead.
I take a step back and let my mother hug Gracy.They exchange some hushed words before we leave the room.Yates comes with us while Ash stays behind to keep watch.
I don’t expect anyone to come after my mother, but I’m not taking any chances.The three of us head for the clubhouse A black limo is parked in front and when we drive up to the gate and Yates punches in the code, I can see Clemente is sitting in the limo when he slides down the window.He drives up behind us and when Gracy and I get out of the car, he walks up and gives Gracy a hug.
I know they’re family but it bugs me to see Gracy in any other man’s arms.Crazy and unnecessary but it’s just the way my mind works.
“We need to talk,” I grunt.
