Page 82 of Pumpkin
“Right now? Nothing. As I said, I’m keeping an eye on the situation.”
Pumpkin shook his head. “You have to tell Steel.”
“Steel has enough on his plate right now,” Ghost argued, stating the obvious. The man was in jail after all.
“I know,” Pumpkin agreed with a grimace, “but he’s still our President.Even though he’s on his way out, you can’t keep something like this to yourself.”
Ghost was quiet for a moment. “I don’t want anyone to look at Carter differently. Without definitive proof, it’s just speculation. It won’t change the past, and my only concern is if this was a one-time event or if Carter is capable of doing it again. Possibly worse. And I don’t want anyone thinking about him that way. I can’t imagine what life is like for Carter and the daily struggles he faces that most of us in the population take for granted.”
Pumpkin scratched the back of his neck. His brother had aslightpoint. “I don’t know what to say or even think. All I know is that that asshole is out of their lives. And at the end of the day, I guess that’s all that matters.”
Ghost nodded once. “Let’s see what’s going on with Steel and the charges. You’re right that it’s disrespectful of me to not tell him my suspicions. With everything going on with Jenna, then thinking Scar was dead and your accident, I just didn’t want to add more to his plate.”
Admirable, but that didn’t make it right. “Good,” Pumpkin said, getting to his feet. “Now stand up. You gave me a free shot and I plan on taking it. Then youdesperatelyneed a shower and to go to bed.”
CHAPTER 14
The news that Toni Anderson had been able to get Steel released came just as Dosia, Pumpkin, JJ, and SJ were leavingA Wrinkle on a Page.Under Angel’s threat of telling their wives, Lucky and Bulldog had indeed gone back to their homes to shower and nap. Bear had spent the afternoon taking pictures of baby Stephanie behind various “bars” from stair railings, a crib, a baby gate across a doorway, and even Aunt Jenna’s garden gate. He sent the pictures out on the club’s group chat with messages like:
Bear: Stephie doesn’t like bars either. [image]
Bear: No prison can hold me! [image]
Bear: Escape from Crib-atraz! [image]
Bear: Stephanie “Hilts” McQueen wishing you a Great Escape. [image]
It was hilarious in a twisted way, but then again, it was Bear.
Pumpkin was desperately trying to push the conversation he had with Ghost aside. Now was not the time to consider the implications of that conversation.
As Darrin was taking Pumpkin to the bookstore, freshly bathed and newly rested Lucky, Ghost, and Bulldog were heading back over to the station. About an hour after Pumpkin arrived, Solstice came with JJ from school and Pumpkin’s little family climbed into the SUV. He didn’t think he’d ever get used to being chauffeured around. The idea that he’d heal faster if he stopped overexerting himself came to mind, but that would involve not having as much sex with Dosia, so he nixed that thought as quick as it came.
At the club’s entry gate, Pumpkin hit one of the garage buttons on the roof of the SUV between the driver’s and passenger’s seats. The gate started to open without having to press in a code.
Based on the number of vehicles that were parked outside the clubhouse, most of the club had started to congregate in anticipation of Steel coming home. Pumpkin wasn’t sure if they beat him back, but the missing club SUV hinted that it was a good possibility.
Pumpkin showed Dosia where to park and then got out of the cage. He came around the front, pulling on his cut. He might not be able to drive right now, but he’d be damned if he still didn’t open the door for his woman. As Dosia got out, he reached into a tote bag he had brought with him and held out her leather cut.
The wordsProperty of Pumpkinhad never been so arousing as they were when he got to look at her ass as he read them.
He also pulled out a denim cut for JJ. His daughterlovedher cut, and Pumpkin got lots of smooches in appreciation before he lifted her out of the tall vehicle. His back only protested slightly. Taking JJ’s hand in one hand and his cane in the other, they stepped up onto the sidewalk to wait for Dosia and SJ.
He pulled Dosia against his chest, SJ sandwiched between them and JJ hugging both their legs. “You ready for this?”
“No,” she answered nervously. “But I’d rather get it over with.”
“They don’t bite,” Pumpkin reassured her. “They’re gruff and tough and loud and curse like a bunch of drunken sailors, but every single one of them would lay his life down for you and our kids.” He kissed her gently, keeping in mind Keys had this entire place wired and of their children. “As would I.”
“That both reassures and terrifies me,” she whispered.
He kissed her quickly again. “I know, but you need to get used to it, because that fact will never change.”
Dosia crinkled her nose adorably. JJ started jumping up and down, clearly impatient to meet all the cousins Pumpkin had told her about.
He took JJ’s hand again, she grabbed her mom with her other hand, and together, the four of them headed into the clubhouse.
It was crowded and noisy, filled with club brothers, ol’ ladies, and club kids. Pumpkin hooked his cane over his elbow, brought his fingers to his lips, and let out a shrill whistle.
