Page 25 of Knocked Up by Her Daddy's Friends

That is until we caught her in the secret playroom in our office. We might have taken her up on her impossible-to-resist offer, but Angel shared my doubt over her dubious story and has asked me to do some more digging, just in case. But honestly, I can’t say it’s been high on my priority list, especially after spending time with her today, not when we’ve got the cops breathing down our necks and the Demon Riders stirring trouble.

Brewer is sitting on the porch waiting for us when we arrive. He looks a little thinner than the last time I saw him, his lined face is a bit gaunt, his signature beard shaved short, a nick on his cheek where he’s cut himself doing it. But otherwise, he looks well for a man whose mind is failing him and who doesn’t have long left to live. Not that Brewer cares about dying, the man’s still a hardass even now. In his heyday, he was the toughest son of a bitch the Angels of Havoc had. Even now, you can still see the strength of his arms underneath the faded tattoos, like the rest of us, he’s permanently tan from years of riding out under the Texan sun.

“Well look who we have here! It’s good to see you again so soon boys. And I see you brought a fine young thing, she a gift for an old man?” he asks mischievously. At Skye’s startled expression, he lets out a hoot of laughter, “Aw don’t you worry, missy, just looking at a beautiful woman and enjoying her company is enough for me these days. It’s this four you gotta watch out for.”

“Good to see you too, Brewer,” Angel, Gunner, and I echo in unison.

“Good to see you, old man,” Drifter chimes in.

“Hey, cut the old man shit,” Brewer admonishes with a smile. “And who’s the lovely lady?”

We all hesitate for a moment, waiting to follow Angel’s lead on whether or not we reveal to Brewer who Skye is.

“This is Skye Jackson,” Angel says steadily.

“Pleased to meet you,” Skye says stepping forward with her hand outstretched to shake Brewer’s hand.

Brewer does nothing for a moment, he’s so taken aback he simply stares at Skye, flabbergasted. “Skye Jackson… as in?” he says, looking at Angel in disbelief.

“Yes, she’s Tommy’s kid,” Angel confirms, watching him carefully.

“You knew my dad?” Skye asks, eager as always to learn more about the father she doesn’t remember.

“Knew him? He was like a son to me!” with that, Brewer springs out of his chair like a man ten years younger and embraces Skye in a bearhug, she seems a little taken aback but doesn’t try to stop him. When Brewer pulls away, I could swear he has tears in his eyes. “Let me get a good look at you,” he says surveying Skye. “Never thought I’d see you again once that mother of yours took you away. Beautiful. Just like your mom, though you have Tommy’s eyes.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Skye says politely, smiling at him, “I’d love to learn more about my father if you’d be kind enough to tell me about him.”

“So polite. You didn’t get that from your old man. That boy didn’t take shit from anybody,” Brewer chuckles.

“Don’t let her fool you, this one here’s a little firecracker,” Drifter says.

Brewer laughs again, “I’m glad to hear it. Come sit, all of you. I’ll go grab us some beers and then I want to hear everything.”

“Drifter and I will get the beers, you can sit and catch up,” Angel says, and Brewer nods his assent.

He and Skye immediately start chatting, it’s a pleasure to see how happy Brewer is to meet her. I’m glad we decided to bring her along. After a short while, Drifter returns with the beers, no doubt Angel is checking to see if Anderson or his men have been to see Brewer recently or if there’s any important mail. When he finally returns, he seems pissed off, but whether or not that’s because he found something bad or nothing at all, I can’t tell. It’s hard not to get caught up in the joyful conversation between Brewer and Skye and soon they have us all laughing and chatting, even Gunner is more talkative than usual.

This is probably why we don’t register the distant sound of motorcycles approaching until they’re almost at the start of the long driveway. It’s the Demon Riders, which can only mean they’re here to cause trouble.

“We’ve got trouble,” Gunner says.

“Shit,” Drifter barks.

We all spring to attention, jumping out of our seats. Skye looks over to where we’re all looking, confusion on her face. Brewer, calm as ever in a crisis remained seated and he simply looks to her and says, “Skye darlin’, I’m afraid you’re gonna have to cut your visit short, it was a pleasure to meet you,” before standing up as well.

“Buzz, Drifter, take Skye and Brewer with you to the closest safe house. Gunner and I will meet you there,” Angel orders.

“I’m not fucking going anywhere my boy, this is my home,” Brewer declares.

We all know him well enough to not try to change his mind. Time is short and the Demon Riders are nearing the house.

“Fine. Buzz, you take Skye, you’re the fastest and you know the shortest routes to outrun them. The rest of us will meet you there,” Angel barks.

“Understood,” I reply.

“What’s going on?” Skye asks in confusion.

“There’s no time to explain,” I reply, taking her hand to try to guide her toward my bike.

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