Page 8 of Monster

My son hadn’t been the same since that day in the fucking alleyway when my VP found him and his cousin, Jude, fighting for their lives after some bastards gunned them down.

Jude’s body was taken, for who knew what kind of sick purpose, and three after that, his hand was found in the Sacramento River.

“Have you been sleeping, son?”

He looked over at me but didn’t say anything for a beat. The waitress came by and dropped off the beer, offering me a flirtatious smile that I returned.

Kai didn’t miss it, but he knew I wouldn’t do anything. I didn’t fuck where I worked—or, in this case, where I owned and operated—and there was no attraction to the girl only a couple of years younger than my boy.

I might have been a young dad, having had Kai just a month after my fifteenth birthday, but I supposed an ambiguous line should be drawn somewhere in the sand.

I smiled a little at the thought.

My boundaries were fucking different from most people’s, and I doubted anyone could really see that fine line I wouldn’t cross.

Kai played the label on his beer before he looked at me again. “Some nights are better than others.”

I nodded.

At least he was telling me the truth and not trying to cover all that dark shit with pretty words.

“Anything I can do to help?” I asked, my voice gruff.

He shot me his signature half-smile, and for a moment, it felt like I was transported back in time, looking into the mirror at myself.

Sometimes, I thought it was fucking harder that he looked so much like me.

I wanted nothing more than to ensure he got the best things life could offer. Better than me, and I didn’t know how to offer that to him.

“I’m all right, Dad. If shit gets bad like before, I’ll tell you.”

I didn’t say anything.

Unlike Braxton, who still somewhat clung to me, Kai was independent.

Had to grow up fast when you witnessed your cousin being murdered in front of you.

My fists clenched under the table, and he patted my shoulder.

I couldn’t fucking believe he was trying to comfort me now.

I shook my head and reached over, squeezing his shoulder affectionately.

My old man was a piece of shit.

He didn’t fucking know real emotions—unless that emotion was anger—and he barely showed any affection toward my baby sister and me.

I didn’t want to be like that for my kids.

There might be certain…qualitiesthat came with ruling one of the biggest one-percenter motorcycle clubs in the world, but I’d be damned if those qualities got in the way of my showing my kids just how fucking important they were to me.

The door to the bar opened and in came the two other men I trusted with the life of my kids.

The club life was all about brotherhood, and though I felt a sense of loyalty to all the men under my care, none of them was as close to me as these two brothers.

Roman took the lead and walked over to our table right away. His brother, Micah, followed close behind, protecting his back.

Always protecting his back.

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