Page 83 of Broken

“King …” she breathes, because she gets what I’m saying, because we both know that what we have started in the direst of circumstances but was nothing but pure love—even then.

“Gabriella?” Skull says, looking at his daughter. I’m a little shocked when I realize he’s pulled Beth into his lap and is holding onto her as he looks at his daughter.

“Papi?” Gabby asks and I hold her tight. Dragon looks annoyed and Carlos takes the seat his mother abandoned.

Family reunion from hell.

“I never blamed you for your brother’s death. I blame myself. I always have. I just spewed off bullshit, trying to lay blame because I was drowning and didn’t want to acknowledge that the orders I gave resulted in the death of my son. It was fucked up and you will never know how bad your beautiful face covered in that sorrow cut me open. It broke me just as much as losing your brother.”

Beth lets out a quiet sob and kisses her husband’s neck. “It’s good to have my marido back,” she tells him so gently that I have to strain to hear it.

Skull gives her a squeeze and looks down at her. When his gaze goes back to Gabby there are tears running down his face. I’ve let you, your mother and Carlos all down. I’ve let my club down. I’m going to try and fix everything. I really am. Right now, though, I’m begging you to forgive me.”

“Papi …” Gabi whispers.

“I’m so sorry, Gabriella. I’m sorry for putting my guilt on your shoulders. I’m sorry for hurting you, but most of all, I’m so fucking sorry that I wasn’t there when you needed me the most.”

“If you had been, I may not have found King, and I wouldn’t take anything in this world for what he and I have found. So, inthat you can push that part of your sorrow away. I’m happy and I’m happy in a way that I’ve never been in my life.”

“You love him,” Beth says, her eyes shining.

“Down to the marrow in my bones,” she says, her beautiful face looking at me, with tears shining in them.

“Jesus. Now my own daughter is sounding like you, Dragon.”

“I told you, the girl found her grit. She’s exactly what my boy needs. Good he listened to me.”

“Fuck off, Dragon.”

Dragon grins up at me and flips me off. “So,” he huffs, “That’s a no to Virginia. I guess you’ll just have to dig in here.”

“No,” I argue at once. “Gabby and I are moving to Denver.”

“King, sweetheart. You’re happy here. I may want to visit Denver once our jellybean comes along, but I’m okay with living here.”

“Baby, I need to be where I’m needed. Not where someone is making a space for me,” I argue.

“My club is a mess,” Skull says.

“Man—”

“We’re down to Me, my VP, my Enforcer and three other members. That’s it. Everyone else has left. I can’t blame them, but I also know if the club was important one of them would have stepped up and tried to overthrow me. So, I’m glad they’re gone.”

“I’m all for you fixing the club. Might be hard to do, though. I heard Torch and Sabre both say they were going to step down. Just saying BB might like being an officer. I don’t have enough time to know what I want to do, but I’m not ready to take the helm. I know that, even if I don’t know anything else,” Carlos says.

“I’m ready to step down too. I have a wife I need time with while we heal. I have a son who needs his papi, even if he wants to deny it, and a beautiful daughter I need to get to know all overagain. I even apparently have a grandchild on the way. I don’t have time to lead a club and bring it back from the ashes,” Skull announces.

“What are you saying?” Beth asks.

“I’m thinking I have a son-in-law that I’d be willing to sponsor as coming in to take over.”

“The fuck,” I hiss, feeling like I’ve been sucker punched. “That’s not happening. Gabby moved here to get away from Kentucky.”

“I actually kind of like this idea,” Gabby murmurs, looking at me.

“What?” I ask, wondering why I’m having so much trouble breathing.

“I love my family. Papi apologized, but the truth is we were both just drowning in pain and sorrow. I don’t want to leave them. Carlos needs to spoil jellybean. Plus, you said you wanted more kids. If we’re going to have more kids, I’m going to need my parents and Aunt Katie close by.”

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