Page 88 of Pen Me

Sean laughed and rubbed his cheek, “I see why you chose her, Lennox.”

I slapped my hand over Sammy’s mouth in anticipation of the venom she’d spew at him, and it was right on time. Her words vibrated against my palm and contorted to angry, feral sounds.

“Don’t be so sour, love.” Sean smiled at her. “I’ve no intention of taking your father from you today. Not so long as he’s willing to do right by the offenses his organization made against mine. His momentary lack of leadership left two people dead, and a young lady without support.

The room went quiet for a minute, and I slowly started to catch on, “You– want me to marry the widow of Keefe Kilbride?”

“No. I mean to see you married to his sister. Her college bills are mounting.”

“Yeah.” I was shaking my head almost before he got started on that one, “I’ll be happy to pay ‘em. Just bill me, man.”

Sean shook his head right along with me and softly tutted to silence me, “You’ll marry her, or Henny will be interim president of the Savages by night’s end and your beautiful daughter will be shopping for caskets come morning. It’s your call, Wyatt.”

I could feel Sammy’s eyes on me. Menace’s, too.

They could not be serious. College? I had children that age. I didn’t want another wife. Worse, I could see that Menace had dug himself a mile-deep hole that was only going to end with my daughter being hurt during his apprehension or caught up in a mob war. She needed us both; him to get her out of here, and me to do Sean’s bidding until they were clear.

Still, I had to try and make him understand how bad this idea was.

For this poor girl’s sake!

Whoever the hell she was!

“Listen, Sean– My daughter needs me.”

“Yes.” Sean agreed, without really interrupting me.

“But– I ain’t no fuckin’ type of husband, man. I– I tried this shit once, I’m not good at it, and –”

Sean’s patience ran out and he cut me off, “You’ll learn because the other half of the agreement is that she comes to me when fate catches up to our street-pardoned friend, here.”

He motioned between Sammy and Menace.

“Get the fuck out,” I spat before I could catch myself.

“Absolute not,” Sammy huffed.

“Deal.” Menace nodded.

My head whipped toward him, and I threw a right jab with everything I had. The generals stepped aside, and Sammy became hysterical again.

Sean let me mount him and pound on him for a few blows before he spoke up again, “He left insurance for your daughter. She won't be charged, Wyatt.”

His generals ripped me off of Menace and shoved me back.

“Take her and go.” Sean nodded to Menace. “Take her father’s motorcycle. They won’t be looking for that one.”

I didn’t have any objection to him stealing my bike, as long as it got Sammy out of here.

“Dad,” Sammy’s voice carried an edge of uncertainty.

“Go. Hurry up.” I hauled her toward me as she passed and kissed her cheek.

“I love you, Babygirl,” I told her before pulling her back so I could see her face one more time. I made myself shove her at Menace and warned him as I tossed my keys. “If anythinghappens to her, I’ll feed your fuckin’ remains to Griz’s hogs, mother fucker.”

“I believe you would, Zig, I love you, too, fucker.” Menace laughed.

“I love you, too, Dad!” she called back, as he dragged her outside.

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