Page 67 of Harmless
“LJ. He’s going to be my Sergeant-at-Arms, most likely.” I hesitated before saying the next name. “Val, maybe. If she wants to stick around.”
“Are you kidding? That girl isyourshadow.”
I smiled at the play on his name. “Also some guys we rescued. I’m still getting to know them, but they want to ride with me.” I swallowed hard. “Fight with me.”
My father sighed. “Do I even want to know who or what you’re fighting?”
It struck me then where I’d heard Sisters of Bathory before, and my heartbeat felt like getting kicked in the chest.He’dtold me to stay away from them before I left.
A memory surfaced from when I was around five years old. Shadow was holding me, his forearm around my middle. I saw all the lines in his skin, hundreds of scars criss crossing over each other. I knew what they were. Old owies, I had called them. I understood the concept of scars being leftover remnants of being hurt. And he was covered in them from head to toe, even on his face.
Fuck.
Could my father have been an escaped gladiator? A sex slave like Santos?
“Rori? You still there?”
I drew in a pained breath, trying to calm my heart threatening to pound out of my chest. “I’m good, Dad. And no, you don’t have to worry.”
“Wasn’t what I asked,” he teased.
“No, you don’t want to know. But trust me, I got it.” My hand started to ache with how hard I gripped the phone. “They’re terrible people, but I’m gonna take care of every last one of them, Dadow. I promise.”
“Do you need help?”
“I’ll let you know if I do.” I tilted the phone away so he wouldn’t hear my nose sniffle as I wiped hot, furious tears. “I love you so much, Dad. You know that, right?”
A long silence passed before he spoke. “Rori, are you sure you don’t want us to come out?”
“No. No, I’m good.”
“Because that sounds like the kind ofI love yousomeone says right before a big fucking battle.”
I forced out a laugh. “I mean, it kind of is. But I have every intention of coming home. Daren would kill me all over again if I missed his wedding.”
“True,” he chuckled. “I love you too, Ror. And you know what? I’m always gonna be worried, but I’m fucking proud of you.”
This time, I let him hear my sniffle. “Thanks, Dad.”
“My oldest daughter, an MC president,” he said. “Reaper’s gonna be so happy.”
“He’ll have a heart attack, you mean.”
“Eh. Your mom will bring him back.”
We laughed together, and then he asked, “So, does your club have a name?”
“Yeah. That’s actually why I called you. We need a logo designed for our tattoos and patches.”
Shadow barked out a laugh. “Called to solicit my services, did you? I should charge you extra.”
“Send the bill to my treasurer.” I grinned. “As soon as I decide on one.”
“I’ll get right on that.” I heard rustling like he was shuffling through papers in search of a pen. “Alright, tell me what I’m working with, Miss President.”
I grinned wider, the stampeding of my heart turning into excitement. “We’re the Vengeful Gods MC.”
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