Page 77 of Shadow

“Still, the bomb he dropped is going to take a while to digest.”

“That’s if he told us the truth.”

“Still don’t like him, do you?”

“Right now, I don’t even like you, Kansas. With everything going on here, I feel as if I’m back with the Golden Skulls. Do you want to know why my brother hated Reaper so much towards the end?”

“Tell me.”

“Balthazar hated the secrets Reaper kept. He would only dish out just enough information to satisfy everyone’s curiosity before doing whatever the fuck he wanted, and it got him killed.”

“And you think Monk is doing the same thing?”

“You heard him yourself. He was best friends with Reaper as a kid. If he’s telling the truth, their fathers were brothers in the Golden Skulls. They learned from the best. William Doherty was a master manipulator. I was too young to remember Bones, but Balthazar would remember. He would also be old enough to remember Monk, if the asshole was telling the truth. I think we should call him.”

“Already did. He will be here in the morning. Until then, I’ve confined Monk to the clubhouse. So far, he isn’t complaining and has agreed to stay. I’ve got Bongo and Lips guarding his door. If he so much as steps foot outside his room, they are to knock him the fuck out and tie his ass to the bed. You look exhausted. Maybe you should head home and get some sleep. If not, you are more than welcome to stay here.”

I chuckled. “In the same clubhouse where everyone wants to kill me? I think I’ll pass. Besides, I’m waiting for Sypher to call with verification. If anything, Monk said is the truth, Sypher will know soon enough.”

“You gonna be okay after what you did to Joan’s stalker?”

Rubbing my hands down my face, I nodded. “I think so. Haven’t seen or heard shit since being with Joan. When she’s close, a peace falls around me. I can’t explain it. She keeps the nightmares at bay. Not even going to mention the drama of my sisters. I don’t have time to think about anything when they’re around. Did Whisper or Angel tell you what Charity and Hope did?”

Kansas laughed. “Yeah. Heard Angel laid down the law to Hope right after he formerly claimed her. She isn’t happy, according to him.”

“You need to tell him to take it slow with her. Hope isn’t like other girls. Neither is Faith. You know, my dad told me once that having daughters was the best and worst thing on the planet.”

Kansas smiled and nodded. “He was right. Talia isn’t my blood, but I love that little girl with every breath in my body but fuck me. She can try the patience of a saint. One minute I want to wrap her in cotton and smother her with love, the next I want to pull my hair out. You’ll understand when you have a daughter.”

Yeah, I wasn’t so sure about that.

A vasectomy was looking better by the minute.

Chapter Nineteen

Joan

I hurt all over.

God, when they say you feel like crap after a car accident, they weren’t joking. Groaning, I rolled over onto my side and came face to face with a beautiful girl with jet black hair and the signature silver-blue eyes I’ve come to love. The young girl couldn’t be more than seven, maybe eight years old. Standing next to her was a toddler, barely two years old, with white, blonde hair and the same distinctive eyes.

“Are you Uncle Zeke’s?” the older girl asked point blank.

“My name is Joan. And you are?”

“I’m Rebekah and this is my sister Sarah. You, Uncle Zeke’s woman?”

“Well, your uncle is helping me, if that’s what you are asking.”

Rebekah shook her head. “Uncle Zeke helps everyone. I asked if you are his?”

Holy hell was this child inquisitive and fucking smart as hell?

Trying to hide my grimace, I sat up and replied, “I guess so.” Not wanting to insinuate anything more. It wasn’t that I minded having this conversation, just not with a child.

“You either are or you’re not. So, which is it?”

“Anyone ever tell you that you are a pertinent child?”

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