Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 65872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 329(@200wpm)___ 263(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 329(@200wpm)___ 263(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
“D-Dom—”
“Don’t argue, T. You baby that girl more than I do. You know you feel the same way.”
T lets out a breath and nods. “He’s right, King.”
“I doubt the two of us will ever meet,” King mutters, and my laughter mingles with everyone else.
“Spoken like a man who hasn’t dealt with any of the West women,” Dad responds dryly. Mom just laughs, the sound joyful. It warms me from the inside out and, again, helps keep all the fear and anger I felt when she was taken from coming back.
“I’m out of here. I got a woman to call.”
“Tell Thea hi, baby.”
“Will do, Mom. T? Are you staying or going?”
“D-D-Do you want me to stay, King?” he asks.
“Nah, I’m fine,” King says, sounding as if he doesn’t have a care in the world. Too bad I can read his body language. There’s nothing about him relaxed right now. Nothing at all.
“Okay. I’ll go call Lyla.”
We walk out together, and I look at my brother. “What do you think is going to happen?”
“King will p-p-probably be an a-a-asshole,” he mutters with a sigh.
“Yeah, I figure. Mom will win him over, though.”
“Eventually,” he agrees.
I slap T on the back. “Time to go call our women before they send out search parties,” I half joke. It wouldn’t surprise me if Thea didn’t do exactly that if I missed a check in. She needn’t worry. I’m addicted to everything about that woman—and that includes her voice. I have to call her. If I don’t, I’d go through withdrawals and have to hightail it back to Kentucky before business is done just so I can sink balls deep into my woman.
Is that the definition of being pussy whipped?
No idea, but I wouldn’t change a damn thing. I’m a lucky bastard.
Chapter 24
King
“I don’t really see the point to this meeting. I’m a grown-ass man. You had a chance to be my father years ago, and you didn’t want it. I sure as fuck don’t need you now. To be honest, I respect T and I might even grow to like Dom, but I don’t have a spot in your life, Dragon.”
I watch as he digests my words. My gaze drops down to Nicole, and she is studying me. Her face shows sadness, and I don’t like it. That look is too close to pity, and that’s the last thing I need or want. I’m no one to be pitied.
“Sounds like your mind is made up,” Dragon says, watching me.
“It is.”
“Nothing I can do to change it,” he keeps going.
“Not a damn thing,” I confirm as Nicole stands up. She walks over to me, making me eye her warily. I’m not quite sure what to make of this woman.
“Dragon fucked up,” she admits. My eyebrow goes up in shock. “I’d be pissed, too, if I were you.”
“Are you trying to help me, Mama?” Dragon asks, a smile not quite there, but still playing on his lips.
“Just stating the truth, sweetheart. You know you screwed up. Actually, you screwed up several times, but I don’t think King needs to hear about our personal issues. Right?”
“Right,” he says, shaking his head.
His focus comes back to me, and he sighs. I watch as he rubs the tension at the back of his neck, and for the millionth time, I hate that we share this odd habit. “I did fuck up, King. I should have come to you the minute I realized you were my son. I should have had it out with you the minute I learned the truth. I didn’t, and that’s on me. I know you won’t believe me, but I regret it. I’ll always regret it.”
“You’re right. I don’t believe you,” I respond. “Most of all, I’m not sure why all this matters.”
“Maybe it doesn’t. Still, I’d like you to hear my side of the story,” Dragon says, and it just pisses me off.
“I’m in my thirties, Dragon. The truth is, I just don’t give a damn anymore. I admit when I first met you, I wanted to make you pay for the hell you put my mother through.”
“Your mother? Not you?” Nicole asks.
I shrug. “I was a kid. Mom had to go on the road to find work after Dragon kicked her out. I grew up with Ramona. I didn’t really want for much,” I lie. I did. I wanted my mother with me. I wanted a normal family. I wanted to wake up one fucking morning without my aunt looking at me like I was a waste of air. That’s something the bastard in front of me will never know. He doesn’t get that from me. Let him think that I was just fine without him. I’d prefer it that way.
“You’re right,” Nicole whispers, and I can see the sadness written all over her face. “Casting out your mother because she was pregnant, leaving her to fend for not only herself, but her son as well. That’s pretty damn cold.”