Zero slumps back in his seat, folding his arms over his huge chest. “Jovie, how can I be sure you’re not working with your father?”
I scrunch up my face in disgust. “Seriously? I’ve been running from that asshole my entire life. Honestly, if the Slavers were after a fight with Defiance, they wouldn’t send me all the way to New Orleans, just to come back to Houston to wage war when they can take out the San Antonio Defiance first.”
Zero’s hardened expression softens. I know I’m making sense. Zero glances at Wraith, and he groans. “Fuck, okay… say you’re telling the truth. What happens when Daddy dearest finds out you’re here? What would be his next step? Would he take out our brothers in San Antonio on his way to us?”
I shrug. “Yeah, maybe. To be fair… I don’t know the man that well. I’ve never been a part of that life. I’ve only heard the horror stories on the streets.”
“Great! So, by taking you in, we risk not only our lives but a brother chapter, too. You’ve already put NOLA Defiance at risk, now San Antonio, too. You see how this looks for you, Jovie?”
“Like I said, I’ll grab Sav, and we can leave. I don’t want to be the cause of anyone getting hur—”
“Problem is, Jovie… you leave, and our man, Kevlar here won’t forgive us.”
“Damn straight,” Kevlar mumbles under his breath.
Zero lets out a long huff. “The proverbial rock and a hard place. You stay, but I don’t want you venturing far from the club. I don’t need no gossip on the streets.”
“Perfect. Thank you, pres. I told Jovie I would protect her. I always keep my promises,” Kevlar affirms.
Zero stands. “We will dig into the Slavers, see what we can find out. But for now, everyone will welcome you and celebrate Kevlar being back home.”
“Thank you. Sav and I won’t be any trouble.”
A low rumble reverbs from deep in Zero’s chest. “Make sure you’re not. Kevlar, you’re in charge of them… both.”
“Got it.”
Zero gestures for the door. “Well then, let’s go have us some good ol’ fashioned Texas barbecue. Try to have a good night.”
Zero’s portraying the tough-guy act well, but deep down he’s doing this because he cares about the people here at the club, and it can only mean one thing—he’s a decent human being.
I stand, Kevlar does too, his hand moving to the small of my back as he ushers me toward the door. “You did good,” he whispers in my ear.
We walk out, leaving the two hulking bikers behind.
“I did?”
“Yeah. They were testing you, checking to see if you were working for your fath—”
“I’m not.”
“I know, but they had to be sure.”
“As long as you trust me, that’s all I really care about.”
He wraps his arm around my shoulders, pulling me to him. “You, helping run an underground syndicate? Nah, just can’t see it.”
“I can’t tell if I should be pleased by that comment or insulted.”
He leads me into the main room. “Definitely pleased.”
We walk over to Ethan, where he stands with Kevlar’s kids. Sadie is twirling with Savanah. I have no clue what they’re doing. Lucas is loving the show while Ethan stands back shaking his head.
As we approach, Savanah grabs hold of the bar, her eyes rolling around in her head. “Whose idea was this?”
Sadie giggles, stops spinning, then jumps up and down on the spot. “Yours, silly. I win!”
“And what does Sadie win?” I raise my brow in question.
“Well, nothing of any value, just the knowledge she can out-spin an adult. The aim was to spin until you either fall over or throw up,” Savanah informs us.
Kevlar’s eyes shift to Ethan.
Ethan raises his hands. “Hey man, I couldn’t stop it once it started, and if Savanah wants to spin until she pukes, then that’s her problem.”
“What if Sadie was sick?”
Ethan chuckles. “Sadie? Have you ever seen your daughter spin? She goes on for hours. Seriously, it’s like her brain is glued to her skull. It just doesn’t have any effect on her at all.”
Kevlar tries to hide the hurt in his eyes, but I see it. There’s pain there, sadness that he’s missed out on some of his children’s lives.
I reach out gripping his bicep. “You can spend time with them now.”
Ethan stands. “Actually, Fox said there’s gonna be a party… I should get them home.”
Kevlar tenses. “Eath, man, c’mon. Please stay. I’ve been away for days.”
Ethan’s eyes drop to the floor. “I brought them here to see you. They missed you. But this…” he waves his hand around, “… it’s still a clubhouse, Liam. You’re having a party… I’m all too aware what happens at club parties. They’re not staying here for this.”
“Then, I’ll come home with you. Spend some time with the kid—”
“Liam, you need to be here. They’re having the party for you. Come by for dinner soon.”
My heart aches for Kevlar as the sheer desperation on his face washes over his entire being. He bends down, picking Sadie up into a tight hug. “I love you, baby girl.”
Her tiny arms wrap around him as she snuggles into him. “Daddy?”
He clears his throat. “Yeah?”
“Are you leaving again?”
Kevlar’s entire body sags like he’s having trouble even functioning right now. “No, baby. I’m never leaving you again. I’ll come by tomorrow, okay? I promise.”
“Okay, Daddy. Can I show you my new tea set Auntie Lou gave me?”
He finally smiles. “Yeah... I really wanna see that.”
“Okay. I’ll make you and Mommy a cup of tea.”
I widen my eyes as Kevlar leans in kissing her cheek. “I’ll see you and Mommy tomorrow.”
“Love you, Daddy.”
He chuckles. “Love you, too. You be a good girl for Uncle Ethan, okay?”
“I’m always good.”
Kevlar narrows his eyes on her. “Uh-huh, I’m sure you are.” He places Sadie on the floor, and she races over to me, wrapping her arms around my legs. I jolt in surprise as I slide my arm around her small back. “Bye, Jovie!”
My head snaps to Kevlar, the corner of his lips turns up as she races toward the exit.
“Sadie, hold on, for crying out loud. She has the energy of a fucking bunny, I swear,” Ethan groans.
Kevlar scruffs Lucas’ hair. “Take care of your sister, okay, little big man?”
Lucas nods enthusiastically. “Uh-huh. I take care of S… S… Sadie, Dad.”
“I know you will. Watch out for Uncle Ethan, too, yeah?”
Lucas looks up at Ethan, his big eyes widening like he’s just been given this huge task, but he’s going to take it on with gusto. “Mm-hmm…”
“Lucas, come ooon,” Sadie drawls out, frustrated from the front door as she waves frantically.
Ethan rolls his shoulders. “That’s my cue. Have a good night, big brother. Don’t party too hard. Call me before you come ‘round tomorrow, okay?”