Page 51 of A New Era

The door opens and Dad strolls in.

“You controlled yourself well, son, to only fuck his nose up.”

I smirk and Holly excuses herself and goes upstairs.

“I wanted to kill him,” I told him.

“I know because if he had done that to your mother, brothers would’ve had to stop me from ripping him limb from limb.”

“I shouldn’t have had to make the point.”

“Did Holly help his old lady?” he asks quietly.

“Beth went to her for help, I haven’t heard anything since, but if she is gone, I’m pretty sure Holly had something to do with it.”

“Your mom would’ve done the same and I would’ve had her back.”

His validation isn’t something I was seeking but hearing it nonetheless helps to calm me.

“Though I have to warn you, Jonah is fiercely loyal to the patch, but he’s deranged when it comes to his old lady.”

“If he’s so obsessed with this woman how come he’s been with two different club girls since he got here?”

Dad shrugs. “I ask no questions and I certainly never try to understand most of these fuckers minds.”

“He’s a liability.”

“He’s a sharpshooter,” Dad retorts.

“I can’t have brothers only on top form 'cause they’re keeping women against their will.”

“You’re only hearing her side,” he argues.

“I go by what Holly tells me and she wouldn’t have taken such an interest in this chick unless she saw truth in her.”

“Try not to get involved too much with the brother’s personal lives unless they come to you…”

Cutting him off, I say, “I don’t plan on it, I only got involved today because of Holly and I’ll always back her when she does something good.”

“I hear ya, maybe keep a closer eye on who and how she helps.”

I know he means well but whatever Holly feels she needs to do, I won’t stop her. She has every right I do.

To end this conversation, I open the back door and he walks out with me and back over to the bar.

A black SUV drives in, and it only takes one guess to know who’s sitting in the back seat like the kings they call themselves.

“They’re becoming like clockwork. I bet Ben climbs out the front seat, walks around, and grabs a duffel from the trunk,” Dad murmurs, and I laugh when he calls it bang on.

Before the prospect has the chance to close the gates, Wyatt, Jonah, and Cookie are riding out.

Wherever Beth bought her ticket for, I hope she reaches her destination and finds whatever it is she’s looking for.

“Leo, Cas,” Ritchie hollers, and both me and my father put on our best grins.

“Ritchie, Jamie Boy,” I say and gesture for them to head into the bar.

Ben follows with his bag of cash, and I gesture for the prospect to bring over drinks.

---