Page 56 of Redemption

“You took a bullet for her to protect her. There’s nothing else I need to know about what you’re willing to do for my girl. But there is one thing I need from you.”

“What’s that?”

“Take that ring you bought back. I want to give you her mama’s ring.”

“Are you sure?”

Ashley interrupts them by walking into the room and jumps at the sight of her father sitting there with her boyfriend. “Dad?”

“Hey, baby,” he says. “I was just chatting with Grayson to see if he had any other information he could give us about these assholes.”

“I already told you everything,” she says, her eyes narrowed. He knows her suspicions are high.

“I’m a cop, babe,” Grayson says, saving him. “I’m trained to observe more than the average person.”

Her body relaxes, and she smiles at him. “God, I’m glad you’re awake.”

“I’m going to be glad to get the next round of pain meds. This hurts like a bitch.”

“I’m so sorry this happened,” she says and hurries to the other side of his bed, her eyes glaring at her father.

Her hand takes his, and Diesel can’t help but think of Nancy. Ashley and her mother are so much alike it’s uncanny, even if his daughter refuses to admit it. And seeing her with Grayson reminds him so much of his late wife. She was just as protective of him as Ashley is with Grayson.

“I’ll leave you two alone,” he says and stands. “But we have extra men here to keep an eye out. If their goal was to kill a cop, they may come back. So, Ash, you don’t go anywhere without protection. Got it?”

“You really think they’ll come back?”

“Honestly? No, I don’t. I think they have an agenda, and they’re moving forward. But I won’t take any chances with you.”

She gives him a small smile. “Thanks, Dad.”

“Get better soon, Tate. And to answer your question… Yeah, I’m sure.”

Chapter 21

Griffin’s Beach

Lex

When Lex pulled up to her house with the kids and Ky in tow, she found Beckett Cohen, one of the Army Five, and Brian Morris already camped outside. She knows things with the club are only getting worse, and she can’t decide if her current relationship with them makes it better or worse for her.

She’d changed and gotten the kids down when the familiar sound of a motorcycle catches her ear. Looking outside, she sees Shep walking up to the house.

“What are you doing here?” she asks and opens the door. “Do I really need a third man stationed outside?”

Shep shakes his head and shuts the door behind him. “No, I wanted to talk to you. Heidi’s at the clubhouse, so she’s safe and sound until I get back.”

“The kids just fell asleep, so we’ll need to be quiet. Aren’t you supposed to be leaving for your honeymoon?”

He sits at the kitchen table and stares at it. “We’re going to give it a couple of days to make sure everything’s good here first.”

“What’s up, Shep? You’re kind of worrying me.”

He sighs, and she feels her heart race. Did something else happen? Did Grayson have a complication after she left? “I’m sorry, Lex.”

“For what?”

“For the set up at the wedding.”

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