Page 81 of Broken

“You love her.” This comes from Beth. I don’t figure I owe anyone anything when it comes to my relationship with Gabby. Still, I look at her and nod.

“I love her with everything in me.”

“How does that work? Didn’t you just end it with your wife?” This comes from Skull and he’s looking at me, pissed—but also like a father concerned for his daughter. That’s the only reason I will give him anything.

“My marriage ended way before the divorce started. My love for Gabby began when we were both at rock bottom and pulling our way out of the shit we were buried under. My love for her cannot be summed up in one word. It’s something I feel down in the marrow of my bones—something that I’m never going to let go of.”

“Cristo! You even sound like him.”

“Him?” I ask, my body locked tight. If this fucking asshole compares me to Dom, I’m going to kill him and just pray Gabby eventually gets over it.

“Dragon. Of all of his sons, you are just … him.”

That statement hits me in the gut, but I don’t know what to do with it. I push it down, so I don’t have to think about it. There’s one thing that bugs me more than that—more than anything else, so I let it fly. “Where was all this concern for your daughter when you were busy filling her with guilt and putting the blame of the death of your son on her shoulders?” I growl.

“King, stop,” Gabby pleads.

“No, I want to know, Sunshine. Fuck, youdeserveto know.”

“That’s something Gabby and I should address alone,” Skull says.

“Fuck no. That’s not going to happen. You’ve taken enough of her light. I’m working hard to bring more to her. I willnotlet you fuck with her head again. You want to talk to Gabby, once she indicates she wants that, you only do it when I’m here making sure that my woman is good.”

“Just like him,” he mutters like the end of the world has come and we’re standing there with our dicks covered by our hands as the fires of Hell consume everything around us.

Before I can respond, there’s someone knocking at the door.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” I growl. Gabby giggles. “There’s nothing funny about this, Sunshine.”

“It’s kind of funny. It’s probably Diesel and Crusher trying to talk you into staying with the club. I can get it.”

“You keep your pretty ass right there. I’ll get the damn door.”

“Okie, dokie,” she mumbles adorably, making me want to run everyone out of our home, take her back into our bedroom and fuck her.Damn it.

“Dude, you’re part of the Savage Brothers? You think they’d be willing to take me on?” Carlos asks.

“You’re not leaving our club, Carlos.”

“Papi, you been living with your head swimming full of Jim Beam. Not sure you’ve seen the state of things, but I think we have like five members. We have no club.”

“Five?” Gabby gasps.

“Yeah, most of them moved on once the president became an alcoholic and shut down most of the things we have. Well, the ones that made bank.”

“We still have businesses running,” Skull mutters, looking defensive.

“Not as much and just saying there’s a reason I’ve been crashing at home besides watching over Mom while you rotted in the garage.”

“Carlos,” Beth whispers.

“Just stating facts Mom. Anyway, that reason, old man, is because by the time Torch began dividing up the small income, we were making, there wasn’t much left for essentials like food and beer.”

“I’ve made mistakes. A lot of them,” Skull answers with a sigh. His gaze moves to me. “I was upset with you for the shit you pulled with Dom and T,” he says and Gabby flinches. I immediately put my hands on her shoulders.

“I’m thinking it’s time you leave, motherfucker,” I snap. Gabby’s hand comes up to cap over one of mine. I move our hands so that I can link our fingers together. I’m immediately rewarded with the way she squeezes mine.

“I was mostly upset because Dominic West wasn’t good enough for you, Gabriella. He never was.”

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