Page 22 of Marcus: Sins of the Father

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Billy—

I pull my helmet off and climb from my bike to approach Wyatt, the Dead Souls’ president, and extend my hand. “Damn, you boys scared the shit out of us.”

“Sorry, man. Cole called us in to help. Guess he didn’t clue you in first,” Wyatt replies, taking my gloved hand in his grip.

“No, he didn’t, but I sure am happy to see you.”

After a minute, Crash, Red Dog, Wolf, and Green pull in behind us.

Cole approaches Wyatt. “Thanks for helping us out. Keep your eyes peeled. I don’t know what the fuck the Death Heads are up to, but they’re doing it in our backyard.”

“We will. Glad to help.” They reach out and clasp hands, pulling in for a back slap like old comrades.

“Good. We got it from here.” Cole turns to Melissa, who is already clambering off the bike and running to him.

He throws open his arms, and she about knocks him over with her hug.

“It’s okay, baby girl. You’re safe.” Cole cradles her head to his chest, his eyes sliding closed. Then he presses his lips to her hair and pulls back, taking her face in his hands to search her eyes. “You are okay, right?”

“Yes, Daddy. Billy, TJ, and Marcus kept us safe.”

At the mention of us, Cole looks over her head at TJ. “You good, son?”

“Yeah, I’m good.”

Cole walks over to TJ anyway, and places a hand on his shoulder, giving it a squeeze. “You boys did good.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

Turning slightly, he directs his next comment at me. “Where’s the car?”

I jerk my chin down the interstate behind us. “About an hour back. Started acting up again, and we left it.”

“Good. And good work back there, prospect.” Cole nods at me. “You calling and leaving the line open to let us hear everything… It was a smart move.

“Thank you, sir.”

My eyes connect with my father, and he gives me a grin and a wink. I return it with a nod.

Cole starts to walk toward Melissa and his bike.

“Come on, I’ll take you the rest of the way home.” He extends his hand to her.

“I’m okay, Dad. I can ride with Billy.”

My heart leaps. Cole looks back, eyeing me suspiciously, but slowly nods.

Well, fuck. I just went from being in his good graces to being on his radar in 2.5 seconds flat.

I hold the helmet out to his daughter as she walks to me.

I quirk an eyebrow at her.

“What? I didn’t want to ride bitch with my dad; get over it.”

“If you say so.” Not believing a word of that. “But you just sent all kinds of red flags your dad’s way,” I say under my breath.

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