I inwardly smile brightly at the way she’s looking at my dad. Sure, it’s a little weird the woman he’s with is around my age, but I want him happy.
Sutton nods, licking her lips nervously as she takes my words in. “Okay.”
A sense of relief fills me at the moment those words left her lips. I know at this moment she’s going to be good. It’ll just take her time and, of course, my dad helping her.
“Great, are you hungry?” I ask, my hand going to the barely there bump. I’m starving and more than ready to eat.
“Can we get takeout from Bread and Butter?” she asks, looking back to my dad.
“Whatever you want, Bambina,” he answers, clearing his throat.
Looking between them, I grin. “Well, let’s get ready and go. I’m sure ’there are two kiddos in the other room waiting more than patiently to get something to eat, and I’m sure their dad is right there with them.”
I stand from my dad’s bed and look back at Sutton one more time. “You might not see it now, but one day you will, and it’ll all work out. I promise.”
Chapter Eight
Tombstone
This past week’s been hell. No other words can describe the way it’s been. Being on edge and not having a way to relieve the tension in my body has me stressed the fuck out. With Sutton not really talking, I’m glad my daughter showed when she did. I don’t think I could handle another night of Sutton’s nightmares and showers where she cries out her pain as she scrubs her body raw. She doesn’t know it, but I’ve been there for her every step of the way.
I might not have been in the same bed with her, but I barely slept as I sat outside her room while she did. Each time those dreams took over her, I'd felt it in my gut. She’s been through hell.
I didn’t mean to eavesdrop on Bethany and Sutton’s conversation. Though hearing Sutton talk about her life growing up, I'd stopped and leaned against the wall and listened. She’s lived through so much pain—I can see now why she reacted the way she did. I also get why those bright eyes of hers always got that flash of pain when I’d say something about us not being anything.
Fuck. I'd gutted her more times than I like to admit, and that’s on me. I’ll live with that for as long as I’m breathing. But the rest of it, shit, I’ll make sure to change it all for Sutton. She deserves to be happy. Having heard enough, I'd moved to lean against the doorless doorframe.
Guess you can say I went overboard in making sure she couldn’t lock herself away from me again. Shit, when I had asked my brothers to come over while Sutton was still in the hospital, I wanted them to gather any and all items that could be used. I wasn’t taking chances. Angel even went as far as locking all the knives and sharp objects in a container with a lock in place. My guns and bullets were placed in the safe—the only ones who can open it besides myself are Reaper, Hellhound, and Angel.
Sutton brings her eyes back to mine as Bethany stands from my bed before walking out of the room. Her gaze seems filled with uncertainty.
I step further into the room, slowly making my way to sit next to Sutton on the side of the bed. “You okay, Bambina?”
Sutton stares at me like I’ve grown two heads and visibly swallows as she answers with a nod. “Yes.”
“Good, then let’s go get you something to eat, and if you feel up to it afterward, maybe you’ll want to watch a movie with me,” I suggest, not wanting to pressure her into doing much more than she already has for the day. She’s already done more than I thought she would by talking to Bethany and opening up.
Sutton seems to take her time thinking over my suggestion, but when she gives me the slightest yet most beautiful smile, I release a breath I didn’t even know I was holding. “That sounds good. Can we watch Venom?”
That’s my woman. She loves action movies . . . Fast and Furious movies are some of her favorites. I know this, because she’s watched them at the clubhouse more than once with Ivy and the rest of their friends.
“Yeah, we can do that. I’ll even get a prospect to go by the store and get all your favorite snacks.” I grin, knowing she can’t sit through a movie without all her goodies. I ain’t complaining, because she’s got curves I love holding onto in all the right places. Standing, I hold a hand out and wait for her to place hers in mine.
Staring at my hand, she slowly places one of hers in my palm, and I pull her from the bed, being mindful of her wrists. Stella’s been coming to check on her, so she doesn’t have to go to the doctor and see anyone who’d judge her. I’m not about to let her feel uncomfortable about what she’s been through.
Sutton sucks in a breath as I pull her close enough to wrap an arm around her waist, keeping her hand in mine as I hold it to my chest. Leaning down, I press a tender kiss to my woman’s knuckles.
“We’re gonna get through this, Sutton. When you’re ready, I’ll give you all of me, but I need you to see your inner strength for yourself before I do so,” I whisper, pressing another kiss to her fingertips. “Now, let’s go get some food in you and spend time with my family.”
Stepping away, I keep her hand in mine and pull her from the room. What she’s wearing is fine for going to Bread and Butter. Shit, I already know what Sutton wants from there—a loaded baked potato with fried chicken pieces cut up and placed on top with country-style gravy. Just thinking about it sounds good enough I might even have the same thing. It’s been over a week since either of us has had anything more than a quick meal or soup. I think taking Sutton out will be good for her, especially if she can see for herself just how much Chaz has helped my daughter in healing.
Bonus I get to spend some time with my grandkids. Melody, my granddaughter, she stole my heart the first time I'd met her, and she brought her jar for cuss words. I swear we’ve already got her college fund set up for her with how much she’s made off us. And now she’s got her little brother, Eli, doing the same thing. He’s on his way to getting his own funds set up. However, I think with the way he admires his dad’s and the rest of our bikes, he’ll want to use it to get his own.
It wouldn’t bother me none, I just want my family happy, and I’ll do anything to make that happen. That goes for Sutton too.
Hell, I’ll make damn sure of it when it comes to Sutton’s happiness, and I’ll start by making sure that fuckin’ Chad Berry, motherfucker, doesn’t lay one finger on her. I’ve got the reports Reaper gave me on the man, so I knew he was her stepbrother before I heard her telling Bethany about him. Reaper and Ivy had found a letter at the house, and he told me what Ivy said.
Chad Berry would be coming for Sutton, and when he does, I’ll make him regret ever coming near her again. She’s mine, and I won’t lose her. Not to her attempt to take herself away from me forever or some asshole who thinks he has some weird claim on her.
Chapter Nine
Sutton
Living with Tombstone is driving me insane. I swear he enjoys tormenting me.
Not in the way of beating and abusing. No, it’s him constantly walking around in only a pair of low-riding sweatpants or basketball shorts. Without the doors being up, I’ve even caught him in the shower, and dammit, it’s getting to me.