Page 42 of Unveiled Wishes

“I am sorry, but I don’t think I can this year. This is JR’s first Christmas, and I want it to be special. His family is here, and you’re the only one missing.” I had wanted to rail at her. She was my daughter, and I was their family. “Aunt E has a hard time in the car, and I am not sure she could sit the four hours. Plus, it’s hit or miss if Meredith will even get dressed to travel. It would be easier if you came to us.” Grace’s voice was gentle, but it felt like a dismissal.

“I’ll think about it and let you know.” It was the best I could do. I wouldn’t blow smoke up her ass over a holiday that felt more like an obligation and a kid that wasn’t even named after me.

“I hope you can come, Dad. Just let me know if your plans change, and I’ll get a room ready for you.” She had hung up, not bothering to call again to confirm my plans. I had texted her to let her know I would show, still simmering with anger that she wouldn’t attempt to see me unless I drove north.

I almost turned around when I drove past Liz’s home towards the highway. She hadn’t been there since the night the cartel had done the drive by, and it showed. There were bullet holes in the front and large pieces of turf blown to smithereens. If she didn’t clean it up soon, the Homeowner’s Association would send her a letter. This was an upscale neighborhood.

I pulled up to the clubhouse gates earlier than I had expected. If this had been a vacation, I would have been excited to makegood time, but this felt like a death sentence. I was going to have to kiss a lot of hairy ass for a mistake that wasn’t even my own. It was Matt’s, and I didn’t even get to reap the rewards.

I’d lost almost everything. My girls barely spoke to me. Liz wasn’t around the corner to take care of my every whim when I called. I’d lost the cartel as clients, and even the Guardian Knights had slowly stopped using my services. I couldn't be choosy with my clients anymore, so I had to take on dumb criminals to make sure I got paid.

The guard walked out of the shack and made a hand motion for me to roll down my window. “State your business,” he growled at me.

I hated it here, but if I wanted to pretend to be a good father, I was going to have to spend Christmas with the Iron Shield. Joy.

“Don’t you know who I am?” Sabre should have made sure that his guard dog knew I was coming today.

“If I knew, I wouldn’t be asking what your business is” The guard put his hands on his hips, but I could tell he was packing. If he felt like it, he’d slide his hand further, pulling out his little friend. Sabre would probably patch him in tomorrow if he ended my life.

“Call Sabre.” I was done with this asshole. Staring out my windshield, I dismissed him.

“I am not bothering him. Either state your business or turn around and get the fuck out of here.”

“Speaking to his father-in-law like that will not earn you your patch.” I didn’t know if that was true, but the guard wouldn’t know. He also wouldn’t ask Sabre for fear of being disrespectful. I could own this kid if I really wanted to, and the thought made me smirk.

“Acting like a fucking asshole will not win back your daughters. There’s no way Flo came from you.” He walked away with his cell phone in his hand. The gates were still closed.

I watched as he made a phone call from inside the office. Nodding a few times, he hit a button on the inside of the shack, and the gates opened. Thank God. The less I had to interact with these dumb motherfuckers, the better off I would be.

I pulled into the lot and parked my car but didn’t immediately get out. The last time I had been here, I had been a prisoner. They didn’t trust me, and I had no use for them.

I walked through the front door, but no one was in the main room. It was silent. I had told Grace I was coming today, and she should have been here to greet me. The light was on in the kitchen, and I headed that way.

“Ge..y.” Liz smiled at me from her spot on the kitchen island stool. She wore pajamas, and I was sure there were fuzzy slippers on her feet. What the fuck was this? Liz always dressed for the day, even when she wasn’t leaving her home.

“Liz,” I said, walking over to her.

“W..eck is making…my mother’s…potato salad,” she said to me, the trauma clear in her speech.. “I am sup..er…ing.”

I put my arm around her shoulders and hugged her tight into my body. I could fix all of this. She just needed to get dressed and do her makeup, and everything would be fine.

“You need to let her go before I remove that hand.”

I hadn’t noticed there was an older man, wearing the club cut, sitting next to Liz. I had just made a beeline for her.

“Or what?” I was feeling defensive already, and Liz was mine. No one was going to tell me what I could or couldn’t do.

“You’re scaring her. If you don’t remove your hand, I’ll make sure you never wipe your own ass again.” His lips curled into a snarl, his eyes fixed on where my hand rested on her shoulder.

I felt her shake underneath my arm. Perplexed by her fear, I swept my arm away from her and retreated a step. She laid her head against the older man’s arm, and he held her good hand until she returned to normal.

“He won’t hurt you, Liz.”

It was official. My girls had replaced me with bikers.

Chapter 16

Christmas Eve Church Vote

---