Page 73 of 23 Hours

Kit hums adorably in response.

I pat her hip, kiss her again, and repeat, “I’ll be back soon.” Other words, words I’ve never spoken, roll up my throat and bang around in my mouth, in my head, in that complicated organ in my chest. I ignore them to translate later when I’ve got time. When shit’s a little less real. When I can breathe normal again. Less heavy. Less… fuckin’ everything.

I leave her without looking back. No lingering. If I don’t go now, I’ll never get outta this house. As a parting gift, I drop my Sacred Sinner ring on the nightstand, so Kit can see it the moment she opens her eyes. A reminder I’m nearby.

Having let themselves in, Bink and Adam loiter in the living room.

“I told him this could wait,” Bink explains, her arms crossed in frustration. Her exaggerated huff that follows is sweet and much appreciated, but we both understand how this life works.

“Club business. I get it.” It always comes first. Always has. Always will.

For the first time since I’ve returned, I glance around, noting the lack of life. No toys or little blankets. No sippy cups or DVDs under the television. “Where’s Janie? Dom?”

“That’s another thing Big needs to discuss,” Bink says.

I figured as much.

“Why don’tyoutell me?” I gesture for her to do just that.

She nods as if that’s fine by her. “Not sure if you noticed, but while you were gone, Big and the brothers poured a concrete pad behind Bulk and Jez’s place and bought three trailers to put on it.”

Nope. I didn’t notice. Haven’t had the time.

“Is that where Janie and Dom are?” I seek clarification because they’ve either been relocated to provide them independence—a space to grow. Or… the only alternative… Viper has overstepped his duties, and I’ve got another thing to wrangle. He is too old and too damn wild to claim Janie as an old lady. She’s one of Remy’s. Saved from his world. Forced to bear a child as a teen, against her own will. Yet, she’s flourished here. Learned English as a second language, matured, began to heal, and has become an amazing mother to Dom. Watching her grow, and helping her when she’s needed it, has been a blessing. Her leaving at some point was inevitable. Change doesn’t bother me. But Viper… Not a chance. I’ve fucked far too many women with him. Seen too much.

Bink twists the edge of her oversized shirt. “Big figured with Adam moving here and Kit coming home, you might need the house to yourself.” She signals to my son with the tilt of her head, then spreads her arms wide to indicate a quiet, clean home.

“Was that his idea or yours?” I don’t have to ask to know the answer.

“Eh… A little of both?” Bink shrugs, fixated more on the ceiling than me.

Bingo.

Big’s had far too much to deal with in my absence, with all the Remy shit poppin’ off. Where Janie and Dom live has never been and will never be on his to-do list. Who lives on the compound, how they live, and where they live is a Bink thing. Even as a child, she had her hands in it all. Her bitch of a mother sure as fuck didn’t care about the old ladies, even though she was one. Bless Debbie and Candy Cane for taking her in and doing their best to teach her the ways of the Sacred Sinner old lady. Look where she wound up. I couldn’t be prouder.

“Thought so. And… Viper?” I grumble a bit… or a lot.

Fixing her messy bun, Bink chuckles, knowing exactly why I’m asking. “He’s still in the clubhouse.” Delight sparkles in her pretty blue eyes.

Thank fuck.

I flip my attention to Adam, who’s focused on our conversation. “Mom’s asleep. Make yourself at home. Just keep it down. Both of you.” At that, my son says jack shit and literally drops his ass on our oversized sectional. His feet pop off the floor on impact and resettle a second later. Resting an ankle on his knee, Adam stretches his arms across the back of the sofa.

My attention swings back to Bink. “Where’s my grandbaby?”

“She’s with Tati, at the house. We didn’t want her getting overwhelmed with all the people and noise. It’s been a tense couple of months. You’ve been missed.”

“Yes, it has,” I agree. “I’m gonna need some grandbaby lovin’ real soon.” Tonight, if possible, only if Kit’s keen on havin’ some lil girl company. Gotta introduce them properly. Grandpa Gunz and… we’ll figure out Kit’s title later. No need to go rushin’ things, even if part of me—a huge fuckin’ part—is itchin’ to claim. Put a… nope… Not goin’ there. Not the time. Not the place. I just got her back. We barely know each other. It’s the trauma bonding talkin’. That’s a thing. I read about it last night, at the hotel, when I was sitting in bed next to her, feelin’ far too possessive and needy for my liking.

“That’s always available,” Bink explains, and I gotta reflect for a beat to recall what we were talkin’ about.

Harley. Leech. My grandbaby. Right. Family time.

Fuck. I’m a mess.

“Good.” I extract a Dum Dum from my pants pocket, unwrap it, and shove the treat into my mouth post haste. “Now…” I wave between the two of ‘em. “I’m guessin’ you’re acquainted.”

Bink smiles fondly at my kid and winks. He returns a similar sentiment, like they’re in on a secret I’m not privy to. “Adam’s been spending a lot of time with us. So yeah… You could say that.”

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