Page 60 of Colt

It rang a few times before the connection kicked in, and Cash said, “Yo.”

My gut leaped. “Can you talk?”

“Hang tight.”

I listened as a chair scraped, and Cash murmured to someone that he wouldn’t be long. After a few seconds, he said. “Shoot.”

“You know why I’m callin’?” I said. “Not gonna lie, this convo’s makin’ my ass nip, Veep.”

Cash barked a laugh. “I bet,” he mused. “But you don’t gotta worry about me, Colt. It’s your prez who’s gonna kick the fuck outta ya.”

I looked at the ceiling and closed my eyes. “Yeah.”

“Look,” Cash went on. “I don’t gotta problem with you and Freya. Like I told her, I went without Wildcat for years, and it fucked us both up. Don’t want that for you, and there’s no way I want it for my sister. I’ll keep my mouth shut, and so will Breaker, unless it starts affectin’ Freya. If I see her hurt by it, you gotta come clean.”

My shoulders slumped, the relief palpable.

“Got every intention of tellin’ Prez,” I muttered. “I’m leavin’ the club, but I need to put some things in place before I jet. I can help the Demons from where I’m goin’, though I don’t think it’s gonna go down well with the originals.”

“Law enforcement?” Cash asked.

“Yeah,” I confirmed. “I don’t gotta choice, Veep. They’ll come after the club if I don’t join the ranks. They’ve been diggin’ up info on Henderson Junior’s suicide. My recruiter told me they’ve got evidence. Even if they’re bluffing, they’ll plant somethin’ to bring the club down. I can protect you better from the inside.”

“Jesus,” he breathed after a pause. “What a fuckin’ shit show.”

“Yeah,” I agreed. “But it’s time too, Veep. Stayed away from Freya until she grew up and did the right thing for her and everyone else. Now I’m doin’ what’s right for me.”

“And you’re sure that’s Freya?” he asked.

“Not a doubt in my mind,” I assured him. “Always felt our connection but in a brotherly way. Started wakin’ up a couple of years ago. Took me that long to get my head around it.”

“What about Lucy Bloom?” he asked.

I let out a snort. “She was a final attempt to keep our girl at arm’s length, brother, and a stupid one to boot. But it’s done. Freya’s mine, and I’m Freya’s. End of.”

Cash paused again briefly before clearing his throat and declaring, “Remember when I came outta the joint. Layla had been taken, and the clubhouse was in war mode. Me, you, and Atlas were talkin’ in the bar, and Freya burst in. I've never seen a man light up like you did. You were on your feet and comfortin’ her within seconds. It was like if she hurt, you hurt. I knew then that this would happen. It’s no surprise to me, and Breaker called it too. He’s more concerned about the fallout than me. I know Dad’s gonna lose his mind, but he’ll come around eventually. You’ve just gotta hang in there.”

“I can do that,” I replied.

“Then you’re set ‘cause my sister’s the most stubborn person I know. She’ll die before she lets Pop win. Mark my words: if she was born a boy, she’d be in line for the top seat, and I’d be left out in the cold. Freya’s smart, and she’s got courage and determination. When she sets her mind on somethin’, Dad doesn’t stand a fuckin’ chance.”

My chest warmed.

“Thanks, brother,” I murmured. “Gotta say, it makes me feel better to have you onside.”

Cash chuckled. “Just wanna see my sister happy, Colt, and you’re the poor bastard she’s set her sights on. I’m all for love and roses, moonlight, and poetry. I’m a fuckin’ romantic at heart, doncha know.”

My eyes rolled so far in my head that I could almost see the back of my skull.

Cash was a dick. But one thing was certain in my mind. He loved Cara and Wilder, and he loved his sister. Therapy had helped him in ways I couldn’t comprehend sometimes. It had taken time, but he was chill these days. I hardly recognized him from the crazy, aggressive, mouthy son of a bitch he was just mere months ago. He’d finally grown up.

“I’m goin’ back to my woman,” Cash muttered. “Brought her and my boy to the coffee shop for a family outin’.”

“Wilder’s two months old,” I protested.

Cash barked a laugh. “He fuckin’ loves it, and it tires him out, so he may let us catch a few z’s tonight.”

I grinned, trying to work out when Cash turned into a family man? “’Kay, brother. I’ll let you go. Thanks again.”

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