Page 641 of The Tempted

Chapter Thirty-seven

“Bulldog, we gotta roll,” Pipe called as he walked towards his bike. “The kids alive.”

“Praise Jesus,” Wolf ground out, spitting out his toothpick and clasping his hands together before he rubbed them in anticipation. “You get the kid to drop the fucking charges and then I’ll cover his face with a pillow. Time to make the little shit sorry his father’s sperm ever found the egg.”

I stared at him as I fitted my gloves and straddled my Harley.

“You’re a sick fuck,” I said as I shook my head. “But I’m the one with the fucking crazy pills.”

“I’m not playing Bulldog, I don’t give a fuck if the kid can’t talk, you grab a fucking pad and paper and fucking write his confession. If you’re too much of a pussy, I’ll sign the goddamn thing.”

“You’re pushing, Wolf,” I seethed. “I’m ten seconds away from makingyousorry your old man’s swimmers ever set sail.”

“Someone’s got it lay out there for you,” Wolf interjected. “We need Blackie out and this shit between the two of you needs to get resolved. This club can’t afford anymore fucking problems, we’re swimming in them or drowning depending on the fucking day.”

“Wolf’s right,” Pipe chimed in, tightening his chin strap. “It’s fucked up thinking any man’s got your girl’s heart let alone one of us but it could be worse,” he pointed out. “Blackie’s got a big heart and the fact it’s been dead for so long, means it’s well rested and ready to work overtime. Let’s get him out of the can, give him a chance to prove himself and I swear to you, he fucks with your little girl, Wolf will kill him,” he vowed.

“Why me and not you?”

“You’re much more creative,” Pipe shouted over his engine.

I shook my head and revved my engine leaving those two clowns behind me and peeled out of the compound. I needed no one giving me advice when it came to my daughter. I also didn’t need anyone reminding me my brother was in jail or why he was there.

It was never a question of whether I’d do whatever I could to get Blackie released. I’m not a fool, I know Blackie’s worth to this club. The man is loyal to the core, something you don’t find much of anymore.

I can’t get on board with him having a thing for my daughter. After my son died I sat in my room at the clubhouse with a gun in my hand. I pleaded with my predecessor Cain to give me the junk I needed to be reunited with my boy. Cain shot me down, reminded me I still had Lacey and one day she’d grow up and be a looker. She’d need her daddy to filter through the shit and protect her heart or she’d end up with someone like us.

For a long time after that conversation, I’d look at my little girl and hear Cain’s voice in my head. I didn’t think she’d grow up as fast as she did. I wish I didn’t spend so much time worrying about the older years and paid more attention to the younger ones.

The years when she was still only mine.

Now I had to share her.

I never learned how to share.

I didn’t want my first lesson to be sharing my daughter with Blackie.

But like everything else in my life, some things were just out of my control.

There was one thing no one would take from me, one part of me I’d always have power over and that’s my ability to get down. First, I’d start with the kid’s father, because that son-of-a-bitch should’ve taught his boy manners and how to use his fucking dick. He thinks he’s been sparred a debt, that motherfucker is in over his head and he’s in with me.

The motherfuckingbulldog.

We parked in front of the hospital, dismounted and started for the door. I glanced over each shoulder making sure Wolf and Pipe were ready to get down with me and saw the devilish look in both maniac’s eyes. We’d get the job done.

Free Blackie.

These two assholes behind me were about to have shirts made if I didn’t get him out. I’m not going to lie, I want him out. This last month I could’ve used my V.P. with everything we’ve had going on. As much as I want him out, I don’t know how I’m going to handle watching my daughter run into his arms.

She thinks he’s her knight in shining armor.

I used to be.

Maybe that’s what it is. Maybe it’s not about giving her to Blackie and trusting he’s going to do right by her. Maybe it’s losing her and wondering where I’ll fit in her life.

We made our way to Brandon’s room and Pipe tapped my shoulder.

“Go ahead, I got this,” he affirmed, brushing off his shoulders.

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