Page 13 of Drifter
“This isn’t a fist fight. You don’t know him,” Simon responds.
Hawk’s devious smile tells its own story. “He doesn’t know the Redemption Riders or the men we associate with.”
Sasha comes closer to me, and I feel her arms come around my waist, squeezing to get my attention. “I don’t care about Dad, but Simon has worked himself silly. He deserves to reap the rewards of the company that he’s expanded. Dad takes the credit, but it’s Simon who made the company what it is today,” she says quietly. “Promise me you won’t do anything that will hurt Simon?”
I stare into her beautiful hazel eyes. “I won’t do anything without consulting Simon and knowing how it will affect him, but sunshine, your brother wants to get out from under, and he’s ready to make whatever sacrifice it takes. You two have been so worried about one another that you’re stopping each other from getting rid of the problems that are plaguing you both.”
“Drifter’s right, sis. It’s time we made some decisions. Dad shouldn’t have the power he holds over us. And he sure as hell shouldn’t be sitting with that bastard at the same table, knowing what he did to you. We’re commodities, not his kids,” Simon says.
“What will happen to Mom?” Sasha asks.
“In the last ten years, when has our mother made a move to help us or herself? Dawn McGrath will have to make her own choices. We’re not responsible for her,” Simon answers.
“She’s our mom.”
“Yeah, and if Mom comes to me for help, then I’ll do what I can, and so will you, but she needs to make the decision to get help. She won’t leave Dad as long as she has her place by his side at all the grand galas. She’s tied her worth to her positions on her charity boards. She missed our birthdays for that shit. I’m sorry, but she wasn’t a mother. She was just a woman who hung around the house from time to time. Our housekeeper, Fran, was more of a mother to us,” Simon responds.
“Do you have a plan?” I ask. The way Simon’s talking, it’s like he’s been working on this for a while. His desperation to separate Sasha and himself from his father seems to be his focus.
“I’m working on it.” Simon shakes his head. “It’s not an easy out. But after Saturday night, I don’t care what the repercussions are. I won’t have Sasha put in that position again.”
Simon said that Sutton touched her wrist, but there’s got to be more to it.
“I’ve got to run, sis. I just came to check on you. I’m glad I did. It gives me peace of mind knowing you have good friends and a good man to support you.” Sasha releases me and hugs her brother tight. Simon holds his sister close. “Fuck me, Sasha, I should have killed him that night. I’m sorry I didn’t because it’s been this long, and he still lives inside your head, but I’ll find a way to fix it.”
He kisses his sister on the cheek and moves to release her, but she holds on. “You will not do anything that will take my brother away from me, do you hear?” It’s not an answer, it’s an order.
Simon lets out a heavy sigh. “I promised you before, and I will keep my word, but something has to change.”
“Why don’t Hawk and I walk you out?” I suggest. It’ll give Hawk and me a chance to set up a time to speak with Simon alone. Simon nods and bids goodbye to Etain. I wait until we’re out of the house before speaking.
“It seems that we have the same goal, Simon. Your sister is important to me. She told me last night about Sutton. Not so much about her father. Sasha was emotional last night, and I never want her to hurt like that again. I want this fucker out of her life. I’m hoping you can help me,” I state.
“You care about Sasha.” This is a statement, not a question.
“I more than care about her; I’m falling in love with her,” I admit. “I’m the kind of man who takes care of the people who mean something to me. I need more information about your father, but Sutton signed his fate the minute he walked into her bedroom.”
Simon clenches his jaw and fists. “We agree on that.”
“We’re men with the same purpose. Give me some time to have my brothers do the research on Sutton and your father. Once I have more to go on, we’ll meet up and talk it out. I make no promises about Sutton. He’s going to pay, one way or another, but what happens with your father will depend on you and Sasha. Fair enough?” I urge. I need to have Simon on our side, for Sasha’s sake.
“Men with the same purpose, huh? Yeah, I suppose we are. I’m in. I’m sick of seeing Sasha torn apart this way,” Simon replies in disgust. He then turns to Hawk. “You and the club would do this for Sasha? Getting involved in this mess is going to get ugly.”
Hawk drops his hand on my shoulder. “Redemption Riders isn’t just a club, it’s a brotherhood and a family. Drifter is family, and Sasha is now family. That means, messy or not, we do what we have to do. Drifter isn’t going in alone; he’ll have an army behind him,” he says with conviction. It’s nothing less than what I expected from Hawk.
“Call me when you’re ready to talk. I have to go for now, but keep an eye on Sasha. Dad wasn’t impressed by our sudden exit Saturday night. He might show up just to throw his weight around,” Simon warns us.
“Thanks for the heads-up. Not to worry, Sasha will never have to face him alone,” I reassure him.
The tension eases from his face. “Thanks,” he says quietly, then gets in his car and drives away.
Chapter 7
My Boyfriend’s Hot
Sasha
Etain does her best to keep me busy while the guys are having their heart-to-heart outside. I have a hard time concentrating on what she’s saying, and I’m firmly caught when I hear, “Boxers or briefs?”
