Page 85 of Jester

“No,” Thorn mutters, revealing the darker side of him. “I might be nicer than Ghost and you, but I’m not a pushover. I like Celine. She likes me. We’ll see each other all the time. Shit will eventually happen. But I’ll let her set our pace.”

“Yeah, because she isn’t like Giselle,” I say and poke his chest. “She remembers the sick shit they did to her.”

“I’m aware of that. I went to Texas, remember? Twice, actually.”

Stepping back, I shrug. “Yeah, I do remember, man. I also appreciate you doing that.”

“Then, why the fuck are you hassling me?”

Glancing back through HQ’s front windows, I explain, “Giselle is already attached to Celine. If I want my woman to be happy and healthy, I’ve got to worry about Celine.”

“Maybe this little thing between her and me won’t last. I’m not like you who never had a relationship before Giselle. It’s possible Celine will be like Eliza, where we don’t make sense, so she finds someone else. But I doubt it. That’s why I’ll be patient and let her lead.”

I run my hands through my hair and think of how quickly shit can go bad.

“In my head, I see everything working out,” I explain to Thorn. “A year ago, I met Giselle. A year from now, we’ll be comfortable in our home. That feels like a good dream. My girls will be bigger. I won’t be so nervous about touching them. Life won’t rip my family away from me.”

I fall silent and look over the Sanctuary. People go about their days. Most have routines. Some just like to float around, following their gut. The place has a relaxed vibe. That’s what I want for my family.

“But I’m not used to having things go well.”

“Aren’t you, though?” Thorn asks, pushing back against my pessimism. “Yeah, when you were a kid, everything was stressful and turned ugly. But you’ve been at the Sanctuary for a long time. You’ve had your home and friends. Giselle made everything better. Then, you got Amelia. That was scary. I remember how terrified you looked when you first brought her back here. But now, she calls you ‘daddy.’ Can’t complain about that, can you?”

After Thorn and I nod at Papa Bear, Lady Bug, and Kat passing us to enter, my club brother keeps throwing wisdom at me.

“Plus, you’ve got Anna. You were scared the baby would be too big and hurt Giselle. Then, you were scared about her being too small. But she’s a healthy baby. The Texas thing has been dealt with, and Celine is a good person. I feel it. The sisters will help each other. So, if you think about it, your life has been good for a long damn time, Apex.”

Nodding, I realize when things are spelled out, I feel relaxed about my situation. Of course, my brain keeps trying to derail that happy feeling by pissing paranoia on everything. But there’s no logic behind my feelings.

“Look, I don’t mind if you come to me in the future to offer advice like Bomber did with Jester,” Thorn tells me. “I figure you’ll have the inside track with the sisters’ gossip. So, if I’m fucking up or should do shit different, yeah, I want to hear it.”

Thorn rests his hand on my shoulder as his blue eyes go sharp. “But don’t ever come at me like I’m the bad guy. You’ve known me for too damn long to think I’d hurt Celine or your family.”

I step back and frown. “Don’t be so sensitive, man.”

“You’re doubting my ability to treat a woman with respect. That’s an insult I won’t take sitting down.”

As if sensing we need a buffer, Ghost pokes his head out of HQ’s front doors.

“Get your asses inside, so people will settle down.”

“Apex thinks I might hurt Celine.”

“I’m just trying to protect her.”

Ghost rolls his eyes. “Well, you’re both morons. Now, wipe your bitch tears and get in here.”

Thorn frowns at Ghost who frowns back. I pat the blond man’s shoulder and sigh.

“I’m sorry I doubted you.”

“Apology accepted,” says a grinning Ghost before Thorn can respond. “Now, hurry up before Giselle gets Luca involved. I don’t want you two getting your asses beat by a hot chick.”

Thorn finally loses his edgy glare and smiles at Ghost. “You’re so whipped.”

Now, Ghost is grumpy, and Thorn is smiling.The universe has righted itself.

I return to my table where Giselle tries to speak to me using only her eyes. Not surprisingly, I don’t know what she’s trying to say. I just smile and reclaim Amelia in my lap. The girl shows me her doll and tries to say the word. I repeat her attempts until she gets really close. We share a proud smile at how she’s talking.

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