Page 176 of Colt

I nodded to the two overnight bags stacked in the corner. “There. Dad let Cara pack those for me, but he won’t let me in the clubhouse to get the rest of my stuff. He’s saying he paid for it all and it doesn’t belong to me.”

Mom’s body locked. “What?”

I shrugged. “You know what he’s like. He’ll calm down soon enough.” My forehead furrowed as I watched Mom reach down toward the bed, grab her coat, and slide her arms into it again. “Wait. What are you doing?”

“Come on,” she said brightly. “We’re going out.” Her eyes flashed as she checked her pocket for her keys and ushered me toward the door. “It’s about time we paid your dad a visit.”

“Mom,” I protested. “He’ll go crazy if we show up there.”

She barked out a laugh. “Do I look like I give a fuck? My only daughter’s been cast out by her own fucking father. Do you think I’m bothered about how John Stone’s gonna react when I rip him a new one?” Her mouth twisted angrily. “Send Xander a message. Tell him we’re on our way.”

During the ten-minute drive to the clubhouse, I told Mom everything. She already knew about my lifelong crush on Colt, so I only had to tell her about Denver and the months since. The only parts I left out were the sexy bits, though I’m sure Mom put two and two together on her own.

“How long’s Colt in New York for?” she asked.

I shrugged. “He called me last night and said he’s gotten his mom out of the hospital, but she’s had a breakdown. He has to stay for the time being.”

“I’ll be honest with you, Freya,” she muttered. “I don’t like the fact he’s left you here all by yourself to face the music. I’d hunt him down for that alone, but I think there’s more to it than just his mom’s mental health. He told me once about his dad, he sounded like a piece of shit.”

“Yeah,” I agreed.

“Maybe in his own fucked-up way, Colt’s trying to keep you away from him for a reason,” she said thoughtfully, turning onto the long road leading to the clubhouse. “He’s always been protective over you.”

Something twisted inside my chest. “Would his father try to hurt me?”

“Not physically,” she argued. “But Colt told me all about him a few weeks after he joined the club. He beat Colt when he was young for trying to defend his mom; that shit stays with a man. As he grew older he subjected Colt to a lot of mind games.” She glanced at me curiously. “Did he tell you why he enlisted?”

“Yeah,” I breathed, mind reeling at what Mom had just told me. “He walked in on his dad with his fiancée.”

Mom nodded slowly. “Perhaps he’s keeping you away from his father in case he tries to get to Colt through you somehow.”

I slumped down in my seat as Mom’s words weaved through my brain.

It made sense. Colt sometimes told me funny stories about his mom and sisters, but never his dad. It was like he tried to cut him out of his memories, and after what I’d just heard, I couldn’t blame him. Back when Colt had enlisted, he’d left the upper echelons of New York society and never looked back. Now I knew he had a damn good reason to leave such a charmed life behind.

“I don’t think your dad gets his background,” Mom added. “He doesn’t concern himself with society gossip, it’s not in his purview. As far as John’s concerned Colt’s a man he doesn’t want for you because he’s in the MC, but maybe if somebody had sat down and explained Colt’s background, he would’ve been more receptive. I don’t think you and Colt did anything wrong by falling in love, Freya, but you lied. You should’ve called me the minute you decided to be together. I know your dad better than anyone. I could’ve advised you.”

I closed my eyes. “I’m sorry, Mom. You’re right. I didn’t want to put you in an awkward position with Dad, but I’ve made matters worse.”

Mom eyed the clubhouse looming ahead of us. “Freya. Let’s get things into perspective here. You didn’t murder someone; you fell in love. Am I hurt you didn’t tell me? Yeah, maybe a little, but let’s face it, Cash, Bowie, and Kit had lied to me about worse things by the age of fucking ten. I’m a mom of three boys, all of them little shits. You’re a saint compared to them.”

“I wish Dad would see it that way,” I whispered.

“He’s a product of his environment.” She shrugged. “Bandit was the biggest misogynist I’ve ever met. I tried my best with your dad, but I couldn’t knock it all out of him.”

For the first time in days, a bubble of laughter rose through my chest, and I giggled.

Her eyes slid to mine, and she grinned. “There she is.”

My heart warmed at the look on her face. “Thanks, Mom.”

Mom slowed the car as she signaled, before turning into the gates. “You ready for a showdown, daughter of mine?”

I held my breath, watching the gates open wide before Cash appeared, waving us through.

Mom drove straight into a parking space, switched the engine off and turned to me. “Come on. Let’s get this over with.”

We both took off our seat belts and exited the car just as Cash approached and enveloped Mom in a big bear hug. “Thanks for this, Son,” she murmured. “I’m sorry I’ve pitted you against him.”

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