Anthony parked and out they all went. Blaise, Constance, Markus, Damien, and John also joined. Rachel and Simon weren’t too far behind either.
John set up a small fire while Simon produced more alcohol. When he went to give the whiskey bottle to Daisy, Anthony took it from him, offering her some soda instead. Markus turned up the music from one of the cars, and that was it, they were all on their feet, dancing around the campfire. Along with Daisy, Tabitha kicked off her shoes.
Letting the music fill the night air, Tabitha threw her hands up in the air, closed her eyes, swayed her hips, and just let go.
There was no trouble, no danger, no acts, just her. She didn’t have to worry about what the future was going to hold.
She was just a singular person.
Daisy started singing along to the words and Tabitha burst out laughing, joining her. Gravitating toward her, they held hands, screaming out the words, slowing down, staring into each other’s eyes. The grass felt so good between their toes. When the song went loud and shouted, they joined in, stamping their food, emphasizing what they were doing and then both burst out laughing as the song ended and another started.
Taking a deep breath, they collapsed on the ground as the others continued to dance and drink.
“Thank you,” Daisy said.
“What for?”
“For making me come out tonight. I loved it.”
They were laid out on the ground and Tabitha was aware Anthony watched Daisy. He never stopped, not since they were a kid.
Turning her head, she stared at her friend, kissing her cheek. “Anytime. Tomorrow, you’re going to tell me why you’re always so sad.”
Daisy sighed and tears sprang to her eyes. She licked her lips. “It’s him again. He is…” She sniffed. “I don’t want Whizz to hate having me. I know I’m not a great kid, nothing special.”
Tabitha cupped her face. “Shut up. Don’t start. Don’t even for a second think like that. You’re amazing. Whizz and Lacey know how good and lucky they are to have you.”
Daisy nodded but the tears started to fall and then she curled up in a ball and started to sob.
Sitting up, Tabitha pulled her onto her lap and stroked her hair. “I’ve got you.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine.”
“No, it’s not. I can’t stand it, Tabs. Whenever my cell phone rings, I’m scared. I can’t stand him. I don’t want him to be around me anymore. Can’t he just leave me alone? I’ve done nothing to him and all he keeps doing is invading my peace. I don’t know how much I can take.”
Tabitha stroked her hair, holding her close. Staring across at Anthony, there was no doubt in her mind what was going to happen. He watched Daisy.
There was nothing different about his face, but something in his eyes flashed. He’d heard Daisy’s confession, the pain in her voice. The grief and the finality to her. Her father, the man who’d donated sperm, he was going to get one hell of a visit, but she wasn’t going to tell him not to.
If he lived through it, he would get what was coming to him.
No one hurt one of their own and lived to tell the tale.
“It’s going to be okay.”
Chapter Six
“I thought you worked closely with The Skulls?” Simon asked.
The guys were staying at a hotel, a nice one that had been arranged by the Billionaire Bikers MC.
Simon stared out the window, wondering why Lash and the others weren’t there.
“We do, on most cases. This is a little more delicate.”
“How do you mean?” Simon closed the curtain and turned to see his father typing on his cell phone. He waited and after a few minutes, Devil put the phone down.
“Mom okay?”
“Yeah, she’s fine.”
“You want to tell me what is going on with her?” Simon moved toward his bed. They had decided to share a room with two beds, not that they needed to. He’d been more than happy with a single. He could have talked with Tabby. As it was, he now had to share all night with his pops. He hoped the dude didn’t fart.
“What do you want to know the answer to more?” Devil asked. “If only given one question, what one would it be?”
He frowned. “Why would I only get one answer to one question?”
“Simple. In life, we have to learn to accept what we know and what we can’t. You need to understand, down the road, you’re only going to get one chance to know and understand. Do you think you can handle that?”
Simon sat on the edge of the bed. “Sure.”
“So what would it be? Why we’re here without The Skulls, or what is wrong with your mom?”
Simon ran his fingers through his hair. This was a test. His father had been doing these more often than not. He got it. To be a good leader, he needed to pick the right choices for the club.
Twiddling his thumbs, he stared at Devil. “Why are we here?”
“And why do you feel that is the most important question?”
“It’s not the most important question in my life right now, but it’s the most pivotal one. The men are relying on you keeping them safe. Of getting them in and out without too much trouble.”
“That is where you’re wrong, son. My men know there is always a risk when they come on these trips. I do what I can to make them safe but they know I’m not God. I don’t have miracles up my sleeve.”
“They all know?” Simon asked.
“They do. Even you need to know I can’t guarantee something won’t happen. Lexie knows this. She didn’t want you to go.”
“But I wanted to go.” His mom had asked him if there was anything else he’d rather be doing. “She worries.”
“But I know it’s what you want to know.”
“This is going to be dangerous then?”
Devil nodded. “It is. What you need to understand is we’re entering a potentially dangerous home. The woman who called, she has three kids, all of which are under ten. But when we go inside, it could be the kids who cause an issue.”
“What do you mean?”
“They’ve gotten used to the way life is and if they’re loyal to their dad, they may have called him. It’s a risk. It always is.”
Simon nodded. “Are you afraid?”
Devil sighed. “I knew you were going to ask that.”
“Sorry. I’m just trying to figure this all out.”
“Are you?”
Simon looked at his dad. He didn’t want to be considered a coward. The club was all he ever wanted and if his father thought he was a coward, he wouldn’t be able to take over. “No.”
“Wrong answer, son. You are. First rule here, don’t lie.”
“You’re not afraid, are you?”
“No, I’m not. I’ve got no reason to be afraid, but here’s the thing, son, I am as well.”
“That makes no sense.”
Devil chuckled. “Going into danger doesn’t scare me. A guy with a gun. The shit I’ve faced, I know what I’m getting myself into and what’s more, I’m more than happy to do it. I live for this shit.” The smile went. “But the thought of never seeing Lexie again. Of her having to live without me, that’s a cold, harsh reality I don’t want to have to deal with. I love your mother, Simon. In fact, I can’t stand the thought of going a day when I don’t tell her that I love her. I’m sure you feel something just as strong.”