Page 29 of Paradox
“I have to go to the clubhouse for a bit, babe.”
The smile fades from her lips. Her gaze flicks to her mother, who’s all wrapped up in Hailey.
“We need to talk about that thing. I don’t want you to do anything rash,” she says in a lowered voice.
“I won’t. I’ll wait until you come home.”
“Okay.”
I kiss her forehead, take one last look at my babies, and then head out.
“I’ll see you guys later.”
I chuckle at the mumbled goodbyes because no one’s really paying attention to me.
Hurrying out of the hospital, I head to my bike. Before riding to the clubhouse, I stop to check on Scythe and 12 Gage Security, trying to clear my mind. I also put in calls to the Pretty Kitty, Patch, and Chopper’s Custom Cars. I have a family to not only protect but also to provide for. I need to make sure our businesses are on point.
On the ride to the clubhouse, I think about the two women waiting there for me. They were both Hounds. This shit makes me want to get rid of the ones we have now, even though they haven’t done anything wrong. These girls actually respect the boundaries. Now that another brother’s got an old lady, they’ll probably be doing more housework than anything else—cleaning, taking care of the bar, cooking. Razor and Booker might be single forever, and Tek… well, Tek is practically married to his computer. The prospect is fresh meat, but we don’t really give him much free time.Do we really need the Hounds around?As soon as the thought surfaces, I push it back. The men love those women, and they’d probably give me hell for getting rid of them.
When I ride through the gates, I stop and give Tyler a chin lift. Even with all the cameras around, we always have a man out here to monitor the gates and the street, especially after what happened to Emily a couple months ago.
“Everything’s been quiet, Prez,” he reports.
“Britney?”
“Razor’s watching both women.”
I have to admit, I like the kid. He’s still a few months shy of his minimum year as a prospect, but if he keeps going the way he is, he’ll have no problem with the vote. Razor did well bringing him in.
Chopper and I almost collide at the clubhouse doors, and his expression sours the moment our eyes meet.
“Why aren’t you at the hospital?”
“I got some stuff I need to take care of before Raven and the babies come home.”
“You mean the two whores you got in there?” he sneers, jerking his head toward the clubhouse.
The look in his eyes breaks whatever spirit I had on my way here. I’m at the center of everything that happened to Raven and my sister. No one can make me feel worse than I already do.
“Pop, please….” I shake my head, exhausted from all the bullshit.
“I’m going to see my daughter-in-law and grandbabies.” He walks away, not giving me a backward glance.
Pushing the doors, I slink inside. These last few years, my life has been a series of ups and downs. It never fails; when I think the storm has passed, it turns out to be the eye of the hurricane… the momentary reprieve before the rain and wind start lashing us again.
When will it all end? Is it too much to ask for a quiet life? I guess it is. After everything I’ve done, all the people I’ve killed, this is my payback. It seems I’m destined for this life—an endless cycle of getting a glimpse of happiness, then having it yanked brutally away.
And I’ve dragged Raven and my kids into it.
“Boss?” I glance up at Tek as he approaches. “You okay?”
“Not really,” I admit, not giving a fuck about looking weak. These men all look to me for strength and direction, but for once I feel too battered to even think of leading anyone.
“Is it First Lady? The babies?”
“No, they’re good.” He breathes a sigh of relief. “They’re the only things keeping me going right now.”
“What can I do?”
