Page 58 of Rafe: Sins of the Father

“I said I was sorry. Forgive me?” I give her my best puppy dog eyes.

“Maybe if you buy me a margarita.”

“Done.”

Billy pulls Melissa down on his lap for a kiss, and TJ wraps an arm around Gigi’s waist, pulling her against his side as she dips to kiss him.

I glance at Tori, wanting nothing more than to slide my hand to the nape of her neck and drag her to me for a kiss of our own, but I know we’re not quite to that place yet. Not after the way things have been this week.

The girls all take seats, and Fiona ends up on Tori’s other side.

They chat for a while, and Green orders several platters of nachos piled high with the good stuff.

Billy gets Melissa an order of queso, and I tell the waitress to make it two, knowing Fiona likes it, and gambling that Tori does too.

Green orders a round of margaritas for everyone, and when they’re delivered, he lifts his glass. “Well, this is fun, kids. We haven’t had a family outing in way too long. Cheers.”

“We went to Sammy’s last week,” TJ says with a grin.

“Doesn’t count,” Green replies.

Tori turns to me. “What’s Sammy’s?”

Fiona answers for me. “Sammy’s Gentleman’s Club. It’s a strip joint. The MC owns it.”

Tori jerks her head to mine. “You own a strip club?”

I shrug. “Technically, yeah.”

“Technically?” Melissa almost spits her beer out.

“Okay, yeah. The Evil Dead own the place, okay?”

Melissa leans across me and whispers to Tori. “We girls once snuck in the place when it was closed, and the guys wereout of town. We had so much fun trying to pole dance. It was hilarious.”

Billy grabs her arm and hauls her up to face him. “You did what? When was this?”

“The last time you went to Sturgis.” Melissa cocks her head, thinking. “Or maybe it was the time you all went to Alabama for that funeral. I can’t remember.”

“Who was the manager that day?” TJ demands. “I’m going to kill whoever let you in.”

Gigi giggles and makes a motion of locking her lips and throwing away the key.

Fiona starts singingGirls Just Wanna Have Fun, and Green almost spits his margarita all over his plate of nachos. “Fiona, girl, were you there, too? Good God, if Wolf ever hears you were at Sammy’s, he’s gonna flip his shit.”

Fiona puts her index finger to her lips. “Shh. Daddy doesn’t need to know.”

Halfway through the afternoon, Tori settles her hand on my thigh as she chatters with Melissa and Fiona. I’m not sure she’s aware she’s even doing it until she leans against me and drops her head on my shoulder when she laughs at some goofy thing Green says.

I cover her hand with my larger one, curling my fingers around hers, and then reach for a chip and dip it in queso, then bring it to her mouth. She lets me feed her, her face flushed with pleasure.

She’s had two margaritas, and I should probably cut her off and get her home before it becomes a problem, but I’m enjoying myself too much. Maybe I’m being a fool, thinking this is real, that Shane was right and that the grand gesture of all of us showing up really impressed her. Maybe I’m a fool to think we’ve somehow turned a page.

But at least she’s enjoying being with all of us, and I’m showing her the MC life can be one of family and good times.

The girls excuse themselves and go to the bathroom together, probably to gossip about us. I lean to Billy.

“Hey, man. I need to get Tori home before I end up delivering her stumbling drunk to her father.”

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