Page 144 of Parrish

All the things I gave my club, it was time for me to give Reina, Danny, and Lacey. That’s not saying, it’ll be easy. A man doesn’t live a life of sin and suddenly wake up a choir boy. They’ll be temptations. Some of them I’ll be able to control, others I won’t. My mind is still my greatest enemy and will be until the day I die. But I owe it to my family, mainly to Junior, to keep fighting. To never bow to the stigma that is mental illness. To show the world, a man can be more than his demons allow. That he can be the victor.

Pressing a kiss to Danny’s temple, I set him down on his feet.

“Where’s your mom?” I ask, tousling the top of his head. Before he can answer, the sound of a whistle cuts through the noisy room, demanding the attention of everyone. Each carrying a tray of food, Maria and Reina move to the back of the bar where they have pushed a bunch of tables together and set up an array of sterno’s. They set the trays down and Maria turns to the room.

“Glad to see you all in one piece,” she comments as Wolf tags her hand and draws her against his side. While she wraps her arms around his middle, she doesn’t miss a beat. “Make yourselves a plate, there is plenty more in the kitchen,” she orders before her husband cups her chin and turns her head, pressing his mouth to hers.

The scene brings a smile to my face. I can rest knowing the man and woman I left my club with, are easing into their roles. Life for the Satan’s Knights is changing but the people who have become property of Parrish, are in good hands.

My gaze flits to Reina and I find her watching Maria and Wolf with a smile on her face too. She turns her head and our eyes lock. I wink at her and she takes that as her cue to make her way towards me. Draping an arm around her shoulders, I draw her to my side and press my lips to the top of her head.

God gave me her and it’s time I show him just how grateful I am.

It’s time I show her.

“It’s all over, Sunshine,” I murmur against her silky hair.

She angles her head to give me her eyes. It’s amazing how much we take for granted in this world. The little things that you think you’ll always have, are the things you feel the most when you lose them. Having Reina look at me like I’m her everything is something I’ll never take for granted again.

“You,” I rasp, brushing my fingertips along the side of her cheek.

Wrapping her hand around my wrist, she leans into me and gives me another blessing…her beautiful fucking smile.

“Parrish.”

At the sound of Schwartz’s voice, I glance over my shoulder and find him strutting towards me. Still dressed in the same tailored suit he wore last night, he runs his hand over the stubble covering his jaw and tips his chin towards the flat screen television behind the bar.

“Put the television on,” he orders, cockily.

Unraveling Reina from my arms, I take her hand and lead her towards the bar. The girl working the bar, Lydia, hands me the remote and I turn it on.

“What channel?”

“It doesn’t matter,” he replies as he pulls out a stool and takes a seat. Flashing his dimples at Lydia, he orders two fingers of scotch. The screen comes to life and Ritzer stands at a podium. I turn the volume as high as it goes and listen as he delivers a speech.

“This afternoon at approximately one o’clock, my office, along with the commissioner and the New York Police Department apprehended members of the Sinaloa Cartel…”

My gaze slices to Schwartz as he lifts his glass.

“Here’s to me and my dick,” he salutes.

“What about Blackie?” I question as Ritzer’s voice continues to fill the room, giving all the details of how he took down Javier and his hit squad. Schwartz downs his drink before looking at me.

“I’m waiting for the call. I’m assuming after Ritzer finishes with his fifteen seconds of fame and comes all over the podium, he’ll call the warden and they’ll start the release process. Once everything is signed, sealed and delivered, you can go pick him up.”

“So, we’re good.” It’s not a question but more of a statement. One that causes me to squeeze Reina’s hand. “We’re fucking good,” I say, turning to my wife. About to speak, her lips part. The words die on her tongue as my mouth covers hers. It doesn’t last long though.

A hand grips my shoulder, forcing my lips away from Reina’s. Normally, I’d be looking to shoot the motherfucker who interrupted me and my wife but there’s plenty more where that came from. No more stolen moments for Mr. and Mrs. Parrish.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Scout says. His apology directed more to my wife than me.

“No worries,” she replies, smacking her lips together. Her eyes find mine and I smile at her. No more savoring the moment in case there isn’t another. That’s something she’ll get used to too. “I’m going to go upstairs and check on Lacey. She wasn’t feeling that well earlier.”

“The baby?”

“Everything is fine,” she assures me. “It’s been a rough couple of days for everyone. She’s exhausted.”

“I’ll be up in a minute to check on her,” I say, watching as she walks away. When she disappears through the back of the bar, I turn to Scout. The man doesn’t standalone. Flocked by his men, Wolf, Pipe, and Riggs, he offers me a shot.

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