Page 19 of Prince of Darkness

“This is bullshit. You threw my son out of here, and now he’s in jail. That would never have happened if your old man was around.”

“I gave him an order, and he disrespected me. Which means he’s out. I made it perfectly clear to each and every one of you how things were going to be run once I took over.” I already had Arch strip him of his cut. “I don’t give a fuck what happens to him. Maybe he’ll grow up spending some time behind bars.” If he makes it out. Copper runs his mouth a lot like his old man. Difference is Wingman used to have my father to back him.

“You threw him out for pussy, and we all know it. Fucking a cop’s daughter—” I’m over the pool table and on him before he even knows what happened. I don’t care that he’s almost twice my age. The crack of his nose feels good against my fist. His beer drops from his hand, shattering on the floor.

Wingman stumbles back, falling on his ass. “My girl is off limits. I thought I made that shit clear already.”

I made sure to put that out there when the whispering started. Everyone wanted to know who I was keeping locked up in my room. I wasn’t trying to hide her. Far from it, but I was enjoying my time with her. I haven't been ready to share her, but maybe I need to make it real clear for everyone where Olivia and I stand. That she will one day sit at my side and run this place with me if that’s what she chooses to do. That I won’t tolerate any disrespect toward her from anybody.

“You did, Pres. Crystal fucking clear,” Marks confirms.

Wingman holds his nose as blood gushes out. He smartens up real quick, keeping his ass on the floor and his mouth shut.

“If there’s anyone that doesn't like my orders, get the fuck out. My girl's father is a retired cop, and I’m sure you all put together that her family owns Hart Bonds. It is what it is. She’s my old lady, and that means her family is now my family. I’ll respect anyone that wants to go. I’ll get it. Like I said, I’m not my father. Leave your cuts and go.” No one moves. “All right. Get him out of here.” I have no doubt a few of them won’t be coming back. Which is fine by me.

I leave them all and go to my office. I pull out my phone and check it when I get there. There’s still no response from Olivia. She hasn’t read the text I sent her either. I pull out a bottle of scotch from my desk drawer and pour a shot before I call Arch to fill him in on what’s going on.

I’m not sure what to do anymore with this club. If it’s the thing that stands between Olivia’s family and me, I have some decisions to make. She means more to me than any of this. The past week has been the sweetest of my life. I know there is no going back. I’ll do what I have to do.

I pour another drink and down it too, debating if I should leave her be for the night. Checking her location, I know she’s at home. I have no clue where to even begin to prove to her father I’m not the man he thinks I am.

Not anymore, at least.

I want to be a man worthy to come home to a woman like Olivia. I’ve been a bastard with how I’ve been trying to tie her to me already. In my twisted head, I don’t let myself take her virginity, but I make sure I get my cum inside of her.

Maybe I’ll never be the kind of man she needs. Not with these twisted thoughts I won’t be. I suppose a better man would set her free. That will never happen.

Olivia is priceless, and I’ll never let her go. Not for all the gold in the world.

14

OLIVIA

“Let me.” Dad takes the bowl I pulled out of the dishwasher from my hand. “I’ll clean up and then I’m heading up for bed. Are you staying home tonight?”

“No.” I told myself all through dinner I was going to stay home tonight. But the pull to Jason is too strong. I know I’m going to end up over there. Even if I’m still mad at him.

“He has someone watching our house.” Dad opens the cabinet and puts the bowls away.

“What!” I squeak out.

“A black SUV drove by five times already. It struck me as odd, so I ran the plates. They linked back to someone that works at Adair Mines and has an alias of the name Marks. The information said he’s connected with the Ravens Motorcycle Club.”

“Jesus, Dad.” I laugh. Of course he ran the plates. My dad may be a retired cop, but you never really stop being one.

“I’m not sure how I feel about him having someone watching you. He can’t think you’re in danger from your own family. There something I don’t know that I need to?”

“No.” I shake my head. “I have no clue why he’d have someone watching me. He told me to go home, remember?” I point out.

“He did that to try and get in my good graces.”

“He needs to worry more about my graces than yours. I’m the one dating him.”

“Are you going to date someone who’s an asshole to your family?”

“I’m not going to date someone who doesn’t stand up for our relationship. No matter if it’s to a stranger or my own family,” I toss back. “Whose side are you on anyway?”

“You’re right. Kick him to the curb.” He smiles at me. I see his point.

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