Page 20 of Taming Raptor

The trip back didn’t prepare me for the clusterfuck of epic proportions that would ensue. Nor was I expecting that I would have to call in favors that would come at a serious cost.

Shit had hit the fan before I got to the shop. We found ourselves smack dab in the middle of a feud stemming from events that were centuries old. On top of that we found out that Voodoo’s biological father was more unhinged than we could’ve imagined. It only escalated from there—but that’s Phoenix’s story to tell. Everything with Sloane settled, I now had enough of my own crap to deal with.

We were in the chapel of the old Dallas clubhouse and my debts were being called in.

“Jesus fucking Christ,” I muttered pacing and gripping my hair.

“Son, we made a deal. We agreed to help you and your friends if you agreed to come home—permanently.” Arms crossed, he stared me down like the predator he was. The hawk in me wanted to fight to defend itself.

“I know what we agreed to, but I don’t know why. You told me I was dead to you,” I spat out. “Remember?”

Sorrow darkened his gaze and his shoulders drooped. It aged him before my eyes. “I was wrong for that. I was angry and hurt. That you would allow that woman to come between you and your family like you did made me want to lash out. And that’s exactly what I let happen. I would’ve rather made her leave—I should have made her leave. But I thought they were my grandsons. With all the trouble she’s caused….” He trailed off and took a deep breath that he slowly exhaled. Then he squared his shoulders. “Son, I love you and I’ve missed you.”

Always too damn proud, I gritted my teeth and fought back acknowledgment of his sentiment and the acceptance of his apology. The reminder of the boys I once thought were mine was like salt on a wound I thought was healed. It made me want to turn my back and walk away. However, I had to agree that I honored my promises.

“Fine.”

Hope and relief lit his eyes—the ones that perfectly matched mine. Another trait of our bloodline. While most of the hawks in the clan had the dark brown eyes like my mother, the Krows all had a curious blend of hazel.

“I’ll see you in a month—maybe less. I have to have time to prepare. But understand this—I agreed to come home to Texas. I did not agree to move onto the ranch or be a member of the kettle.”

His jaw tensed but he gave me a curt nod. Though he wasn’t happy about that, he knew I was right.

We both walked out of the office. When we reached the common area, my cousins and Drago stood. Refusing to look him in the eye, I ignored Evan. Drago took a step forward but hesitated. I approached him and held out my hand. With a grin, he shook my hand but quickly pulled me into his embrace.

“Fuck, man, I’ve missed you.” He released me and stepped back but still gripped my shoulder. “Is it true? You’re coming home?”

Pressing my lips flat, I nodded.

I was moving back to Texas.

“Fuck yeah!” He whooped.

At least someone was excited about the move.

“Hold On To Memories”—Disturbed

“Venom, I never wanted this. This right here is my family.” I stabbed my finger on the surface next to the glass I was drinking from. “Not the people that took my deceitful ex-wife into the fold and took her side over mine.” Elbow resting on the bar top, I massaged my aching head.

“I’m not saying I want you to leave, because you know damn well that isn’t true. But I understand. Fuck, I wish we could’ve gotten down there in time to help you out so you wouldn’t have had to bring them in. Then none of this would be an issue.” He downed the rest of the whiskey in his glass.

“The worst part is having to walk away from the club. I never saw myself leaving the Royal Bastards. Yet, here I am, having to walk away,” I muttered, still pissed about my situation.

“I wouldn’t be too sure about that.”

My head tilted as I looked at Venom like he’d lost his damn mind. At one time, there had been two chapters in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Several of the members laid down their colors because they couldn’t stand behind the shit Rancid was doing, and the officers in both chapters were Rancid’s little butt monkeys. Both chapters had been shut down when Rancid was finally taken down. So those weren’t an option.

“What, go nomad?” The thought never appealed to me. I enjoyed the camaraderie and the feeling of family I got from being in a chapter. This had become my home.

“I mean, if that’s what you would want, sure.” He shrugged. “I was actually thinking maybe you could talk to Nationals and ask about reopening a chapter there.”

“And who’s gonna be president?” I asked as I stared him down, because I knew where he was going with this, and he knew damn well I never had the desire to hold that title. He was a few years older than me, and more experienced in the club. When he was nominated, I knew he’d make a solid president and I was damn happy to be his right-hand man. That didn’t mean I ever envied his position.

His shit-eating grin told me I was right about his idea, and I rolled my eyes.

“You,” he drawled out, then chuckled.

“Ugh.” I palmed my face, drawing my hands down, distorting my face. He continued to laugh, then he sobered.

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