Page 86 of Swan

I closed the door and headed back to the table to sit down at their end. “What’s up?”

Dad shrugged and waited for Griz to finish what he was looking at on his phone.

His jaw clenched. “Saw a text from my woman, somethin’ about Swan and Melbourne.” His jaw clenched. “One sec,” he said and put his phone to his ear. “Princess, what do you mean she’s headin’ to Melbourne Monday?”

Swan.

She must have gotten the approval for what Rommy had suggested.

“I don’t fuckin’ like it,” Griz clipped. Deanna said something that had Griz sighing. “Fine. But someone’s going with her. … I’ll organise it. … Yeah, darlin’. You too.” He hung up. “Looks like Swan’s going to help at the library in Caroline Springs. She leaves the start of next week,” he told us.

“I’ll go,” I said.

Griz grunted. “Figured as much.” And fuck me, but I damn puffed out my chest knowing Griz kept me here for this reason in the first place. He wasn’t so cut up about me and my feelings for his daughter. Griz looked to Dad. “Not sure how long she’s stayin’ there, but are you good if Drake accompanies her?”

Dad faced me. “It’s your choice. Just make sure you’re free from any obligations.”

I nodded. I’d check with Texas, since I’d have to reschedule some clients and alter the shifts I had at Coyote’s and the garage, but it would be possible. I’d make sure of it.

I guessed having Griz know I was crazy for Swan had him understanding why I wanted to be with her in a town she wasn’t used to.

Besides, I could keep myself busy by taking my tattoo gear with me since some of the brothers had mentioned they were keen for new ink.

“Will Swan agree to have me tag along?” I asked Griz.

His jaw clenched. “She will.”

“But if she wants someone else, let her, yeah?”

We shared a look, and then Griz tipped his chin up.

“What am I missin’?” Dad asked.

Griz cocked a brow. He wasn’t going to say anything, but I reckon he wanted me to.

Shit.

Sighing, I rolled my head side to side and rubbed at the back of my neck. “You can’t say anythin’ to Mum, old man.”

“About what?”

“Fuck no. Promise you’ll keep this between us first.”

Dad studied me. He must have read the importance of it in my expression because he nodded.

“If I can have my way, I want nothing more than for Swan to be my old lady.”

Dad tensed.

“She doesn’t know I’m in love with her.” Griz grumbled something, but I pushed on. “And I want to keep it that way until and only if she has an interest for me.” Before he could question anything, I added, “I know she’s been through hell. I know I need to be patient, and I will be. If it comes down to her wantin’ someone else, I’ll accept it. Eventually. But I want to be there for her as much as I can and as much as she’ll allow me. That’s why I said if she wanted someone else to guard her in Melbourne, then give her that.”

Dad stood and gripped my shoulder. “You make me proud, kid. And knowin’ our brother hasn’t killed you tells me how much he thinks you’d be good for her.” He grinned at Griz, who rolled his eyes and grunted.

Griz pointed at me. “He knows his life is on the line for the rest of his days.”

Dad chuckled. “It’s a good pairin’. I hope this trip can help her see what a good man you are, son.”

Fuck. I hoped so too.

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