Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 36646 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36646 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
“Good.” He nodded to both of us, a silent acknowledgment he knew we saw him as a threat. “I’ve come to take Liam with me.”
“Not sure that’s the best idea.” Mama spoke but didn’t try to move around me. “He’s grown roots. He’s happy.”
“I know. I’m still going to take him.”
“You’re not staying?”
“No, Mama. You and Pops have done exactly what I’d hoped you’d do. Made Bones into a family.”
“Keepin’ tabs on us?” I wanted Taz’s focus back on me. If he was here to take out either of us, I wanted to give Mama her best chance to take him out first. While I was a warrior through and through, she was just as skilled and even more cunning than I was.
“Always. Bones is family.”
“Then come home,” Mama said softly. “Liam’s made a home here with Gracie, Alex, and their son. He’s a bright child. Strong and skilled. He’ll make a fine warrior one day.”
“I know how special my son is.” Taz leveled a look on Jo and I had to stop myself from stepping completely in front of her again. “That’s why I need to take him with me.”
“Where are you taking him?” This time, Jo wasn’t playing nice. I could almost feel her protective instincts kicking in as she prepared to fight for the little boy in our care.
“I don’t have to answer to you, Mama. Liam is my son. You’ll give him to me willingly, or I’ll take him from you.”
The two must have faced off or something. I wasn’t about to take my attention from Taz and couldn’t see Jo, but the tension was so thick I could have cut it with a knife.
“He’s a good kid, Taz. If you can’t give him a safe, loving home you need to leave him here.”
“I can. I will.” Taz’s expression didn’t change but I trusted what he was saying.
“I have no doubt you’ll keep him safe, but I’m having trouble believing the loving home part is something you’re capable of now. You’ve changed.”
Taz nodded slowly. “I have. But not so much I can’t show my son how much I love him. I swear to you, he’ll know.”
“What have you gotten into, Taz?” Mama’s voice was so soft it was nearly a whisper.
Taz shook his head before stepping closer. When he spoke next, it was so low I had to strain to hear him. “What I’m doing is for the greater good. I’ll teach Liam to handle himself, how to fight and protect those weaker than him. But he has to sever all ties with you. It’s for everyone’s safety. His included.”
“This has to do with them, doesn’t it?” Jo kept her voice as low as Taz did. There was no doubt who she was referring to, but if she wasn’t going to say anything more, I wasn’t about to.
“It is. Trust me when I say, they’ll need both myself and Liam to balance them out. I’ll build that foundation, and it will be up to Liam to continue. He’ll take my place when I no longer can. Until then, he’ll train. Study. Go out into the world and prepare himself once he’s reached an age he can do so on his own.”
“That’s a hell of a thing to put on a kid, Taz. Do you honestly think you can get the upper hand with them? Really, Taz?”
“No.” There was no hesitation in his answer. “But the cost if I don’t at least try is too great.”
“That’s fine. For you. But what about Liam? He doesn’t deserve that life.”
“No,” Taz agreed. “He doesn’t. Doesn’t change the fact he’s going to have it, though.”
“I’ll fight you for that child.” Now the mama tiger I knew and loved was baring her fangs and claws.
“I know you will, Mama. It’s how you got your name. Fighting for those who need help. But I’m asking you not to. Trust me to know what’s best for my son.”
“If they’re holding his safety over you --”
“They’re not. I’ve looked at the situation and all the possibilities I can imagine. This is the best solution for him.”
“For him? Or for you?” Yeah. Mama wasn’t pulling any punches. If Taz was going to do this, he’d answer to Mama first.
“For both of us.”
There was a long pause. I wanted to look back at Mama but didn’t dare take my eyes off Taz. He was always dangerous. Now, I got the feeling he was even more so. And, let’s be honest, if he had formed any kind of tie with the Brotherhood, he was one of the most lethal men on the planet.
“Fine.” Whatever Mama saw when they studied each other must have satisfied her. If not completely, enough to let Taz have his son. “But if you hurt that boy in any way, Taz, I will make you beg for death before I fuckin’ kill you.”