Page 19 of Stone

I knew Dad was about to hit the roof by the way his body locked. As he went to shove Foxy off, his angry stare fell over her shoulder, and he froze. “You’re for it now, girlie,” he warned as mutters filled the air around us.

Light footsteps tapped loudly against the makeshift wooden floor, and my gut roiled because I knew that walk. Trouble was about to hit, especially for Foxy.

The crowd moved back as if Moses himself was parting the Red Sea, and my mom appeared like a warrior princess dressed in polka dots with victory rolls in her hair. Three things happened at once: her eyes narrowed, her hip popped, and she jammed a hand onto it.

“Get the hell off my man,” Ma snapped.

Foxy’s hand dropped to her side, and she visibly gulped.

Mom stomped forward, reached up, and grabbed the back of Foxy’s hair. “What have I told you about touching what doesn’t belong to you?”

The club girl yelped in pain.

With a snarl, Mom marched her to the main doors, the men moving out of the way as she dragged Foxy along by the hair. “I’ve told you to stay away from Bandit,” she grated through clenched teeth. “Next time you touch him, I’ll cut a finger off.” Mom grabbed the door handle and swung it open before throwing Foxy through it. “I better not see you again tonight,” she yelled after her before slamming the door shut, turning to face the room, and zeroing in on Dad.

He held his hands up defensively. “I was about to throw her off. You caught me at an awkward moment.”

“Awkward moment?” she bit back disbelievingly. “You’ll be having a lifetime of awkward moments if I see that crap again. You’ll live the rest of your sorry life with an empty stomach and blue balls.”

Pop winced. “Queenie baby—”

“—Don’t you, Queenie baby me,” she retorted, cutting him off. “Next time I see that skank’s hands on you, don’t bother coming home.”

Dad sauntered over, tagged Mom’s waist, and pulled her close. “You know you’re the only woman for me, wife.” He bent his neck and touched his mouth to hers.

I jumped slightly as I felt a tap on my back.

“Your girl’s over there,” Abe said, jerking his thumb toward the pool table. “Looks like she’s getting an education.”

Eyes sliding in the direction he pointed, my gut dropped as I saw Elise standing on her own, staring open-mouthed through a crowd of men. I followed her gaze and let out a curse at what was going down, or rather who. Two brothers had Mary Lou spread-eagled over the pool table. One had his dick in her mouth, while the other dude fucked her from behind. The squeals coming from her rivaled a piglet, though she probably would’ve been louder if she hadn’t had her mouth full.

Wincing, I hurried toward Elise, mind tripping over how I’d explain. I knew she’d be confronted with something like this at some point, but it would’ve been good if she could’ve at least gotten eased in slowly.

“Elise!” I barked as I approached her. “Here, baby.”

She ignored my ass, instead cocking her head to get a better look at the pool table antics.

I heaved out a frustrated breath and stepped in front of her to block the view. “Sweetheart—”

“Hey!” she exclaimed. “I was watching that.”

My forehead creased questioningly. “I thought it would freak you out.”

“It does a little,” she admitted. “But if I’m going to be part of the club, I’ve gotta get used to it. I know this kind of thing is normal here, and although I don’t necessarily agree with the girls behaving that way, I have to trust you all know what you’re doing.”

I reached for her hand and laced our fingers together, my heart swelling out of my chest.

Elise was way out of her comfort zone. Public sex acts were deemed scandalous by most of America. The people of Hambleton were particularly judgmental, so I recognized the effort my girl was making for me, and it made me fall even deeper in love.

My girl gave me so much sweet that sometimes I wondered what I’d done to deserve her. Her innocence didn’t make her closed-minded; if anything, it made her more curious. It was crazy how Elise was so shy but still so open to new experiences. She was kind and put others first, sometimes to her own detriment.

I’d never been prouder to have her on my arm.

“I see you. Elise.” I rested my forehead against hers. “And there’s nobody more beautiful in this world.”

Leesy’s lips tipped up, a dull red stain flooding her cheeks. “I love you, John Stone.” She pulled our joined hands to her mouth and kissed my knuckles. “I’ve got you a birthday gift.”

A grin stole across my face. “You didn’t have to do that. You’re still at school. You shouldn’t spend your cash on me.”

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