Page 60 of Joker's Ghost
I nudge Cobra away from the others. “How’s our friend holding up?”
“We got him all locked up in the panic room in the basement. Keeping him alive with a bottle of water a day, but so far he hasn’t spilled anything. Keeps chanting shit, saying he’s contacting his spirits in another world.”
A cold chill slithers down my spine. “I’ll be by the clubhouse tonight after Daisy falls asleep. About time I take care of my business.”
“No rush, man. Python likes goin’ down there and scaring the shit outta him.” Cobra huffs out a laugh. “The man definitely takes his job seriously.” He grips my shoulder. “Your first priority is right here.”
Of course, Cobra is right, but I can’t spend another night in this hospital letting my nerves eat me alive. Not if getting to the bottom of all this bullshit can lift the dark cloud surrounding me.
“I’ll be at the clubhouse at ten.” I lock eyes with Cobra. “We find out what the fuck he was doin’ in my house, then we approach Warrior and see what he knows, ‘cause this shit can’t stand without repercussions.”
“Agreed.” We tap fists, and the pact is made.
After everyone has gone, I squeeze into the bed with Daisy as she feeds our baby. My kids couldn’t have a more loving mother, and my heart aches at how close I came to losing her—again.
“You were so quiet before.” Daisy always picks up on my moods, good and bad.
“Just a lot on my mind.”
She cups my cheek with her free hand. “You know, the baby and I are fine, and we’re going to be fine, right?”
“Yeah, sure.” And after I deal with the Nomad in the basement of The Gold Mine, everything will be perfect.
“It’s not just today. For the last three days, you’ve been different. On edge.”
“Yeah, well, it’s not every day your pregnant wife has to fight off a maniac in her own kitchen.” I bite my lower lip. “When I think of what?—”
“But it all worked out in the end, and this,” she stares down at the baby, “is what we have to concentrate on.” She raises her eyebrows. “And whatever we’re paying for Derek’s karate lessons is worth it. He was amazing.”
“I know, right?” I give her the reply she expects.
“I also think you should get back to the garage. The doctor said I can go home tomorrow, and I’m sure Gus is going crazy with the work piling up.”
How could I tell her that her hard-ass, tough biker can’t concentrate on going to the garage or anything else?
When the baby is done feeding, I gently lift her out of Daisy’s arms and lay her in the bassinet, then stare down at her. “She’s so perfect.”
“She is.” Daisy twists her lips. “But after all that work and a blood transfusion, she has the nerve to look exactly like you.”
My lips tilt. “Can’t deny it, she does, but I’m sure she’ll have your fire, just like Deana.”
“She was so excited to hold her baby sister earlier. I know, between Derek and Deana, this little one is going to have the best big brother and sister.”
As long as her father doesn’t put her in danger again.
“Now, all we need is a name.”
“I promise by the time we go home tomorrow, she’ll have a name.”
I move around the bassinet and lean into the bed, taking Daisy into my arms. “I hope you know how much I love you and how much I?—”
She pushes me until we are eye to eye. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
“Can’t I tell my wife how much I love her?” I hope to sell the tough guy act.
“Please just promise me you’re not blaming yourself, because I’m not blaming you for anything.”
“I know.” And that’s what makes it worse. I almost wish she’d curse me to hell, tell me I’m a no good fucker.
