Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 37734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
That startled me. I could tell Thorn was just as taken aback. “That’s a hell of a thing to ask even for a sister club. We’re not that. What’s the rub?”
Rocket focused squarely on Thorn, ignoring me and his daughter. “I’ve taken a job for the club. It’s going to take every member we have, which leaves our territory unguarded.”
“Sounds like you’ve gotten yourself into a pickle.” Thorn gave away nothing. “Not sure what we can do about it. We have our own territory to manage.”
“It’s important, or I wouldn’t have taken it. And when I say important, I mean life and death for some of our family. It’s the only thing that could make me willingly leave our home unguarded. I’m asking for your help. Giving Doc my daughter was more about making sure she was safe and protected while I’m gone than about bribing Salvation’s Bane into helping.”
I heard Lia’s soft gasp, but she stayed silent otherwise. Thorn glanced our way but only briefly before he continued the conversation.
“Doc, do you have anything to say to Rocket before you take your woman out of here?”
“Yeah, I do.” I stood, tugging Talia’s hand so she followed my lead. “Thank you for trusting me with your daughter. I have no idea what’s going on, but I respect that it must be major for you to part with her like this. I’ll take care of her. She’ll always have a home with me.”
To his credit, Rocket didn’t react other than to clench his jaw. “You truly mean what you just said. I can see it in your eyes. I know Talia teaches your daughter and that she considers her a friend. Did you know Talia before yesterday?”
I shook my head. “You gave her to me, Rocket. I’m keeping her, but not against her will. I’ll keep her happy. I give you my word.” I stuck out my hand to Rocket. He looked at it for long moments before sighing and taking my hand in a hard shake.
“See you do.” He looked at Talia then. “I’m sorry this happened the way it did, Talia. I hope you realize I did this to protect you. I’d never have put you in this situation if there had been any other choice, and not if I didn’t believe you’d be safe.”
“I know. And it’s all right. Doc’s been good to me so far. I know Caroline really well, and I can’t believe she’d be so happy and wonderful if her dad was anything but a good man.”
“You need me, you tell me. You understand? I will always be there for you, baby girl.”
“I know, Daddy. Thanks. Thanks for taking me in when Mom died. For making sure we were protected before. I know you did, because I saw members of the club from time to time watching us.”
“I didn’t marry your mom because we weren’t right for each other. Never because I didn’t want you in my life, Talia. There was mutual respect between us, but never that deep, abiding love we both deserved. I never regretted having you, though. You’ve always been the best of both of us.”
Talia addressed Dom next. “Watch over my dad. I’m still finding my way here, so he’s the only family I have left.”
“You can count on me, little sister.”
“Let’s go, sweetheart,” I said. She was holding it together better than I thought she would, which made me that much prouder of her. “Thorn and Havoc need to get the details from Rocket, and we don’t need to be here for that.”
“I’m ready.” She squeezed my hand and looked up at me, giving me a tentative smile.
As we neared the door, Rocket spoke again. “I love you, baby girl. Never forget that.”
Talia looked back over her shoulder. “I love you too, Daddy. Whatever you’re getting ready to do, please be safe.”
“I will. I promise.”
Chapter Seven
Talia
The meeting with my dad had been hard, but not what I was expecting. If everyone was leaving the compound, I could see why he’d want me someplace safe. Which meant that whatever he was doing was extremely dangerous.
“Do you think Thorn will offer to help with whatever Dad is going into?”
“Don’t know, baby. That would depend on what’s going on. Normally, not. We’re not allies with Grim Road, and Thorn wouldn’t put any member of our club in danger unless it was something he couldn’t walk away from.”
“If he does, will he be able to monitor what’s going on?”
I thought about that for a minute. “I don’t see why not. Rocket didn’t indicate he wanted our help in the field, though. He wanted us to take care of the Grim territory.”
“I know. Wishful thinking. I don’t think I can stand not knowing what’s happening. If Dad’s going into danger --”
I pulled her in for a brief, hard kiss. “Don’t think about it right now. Nothing is happening yet. Let them work it out, then Thorn will tell us what’s going on.”