Timber walked over to the nightstand and opened the drawer. Removing an envelope, she held it in front of her. "Mom gave this to me when she left."
"What is it?"
She shrugged. "I don't care what it is."
"You never opened it?"
She shook her head. "I've done fine on my own. I don't need whatever is in here."
"Doll..." He winced. "It might be important."
"Nope. Not to me. For the first time in my life, I'm learning that I'm important. Whatever my parents are involved in has nothing to do with me." She tossed the envelope back into the drawer. "So, if you want to take me for a ride, I would love to go. But if you're taking me away from the house to break the bad news to me, I'd rather stay home if you have to tell me something."
He dropped his chin to his chest. Timber impressed him. She'd grown up since arriving in Spokane, and somehow through the family drama, she found herself.
She came away stronger and more willing to fight. No longer the quiet young woman who never invested in other people, she was making a point to stick up for herself.
Because he loved her, there was only one thing he could do. He was going to support the fuck out of her.
He grinned. "Let's ride, doll."
Epilogue
One year later ~
Romeo carried the newspaper into the house, reading the headline. He'd heard the rumor last night after coming off a ride but hadn't spoken to Timber. He wanted proof in his hands before he gave her the news.
He walked into the kitchen and approached Timber at the sink. Kissing the side of her neck, he put the newspaper in front of her.
"Read it," he said.
She bent her head. Romeo read over her shoulder.
Frank Gabraldi, Sparrow leader, an underground crime syndicate of Seattle, dead. Shot in the back of the head. Investigation is ongoing...
She looked over her shoulder at him. "Is this true?"
"Your grandfather is dead." He tossed the newspaper to the counter.
She dried off her hands on the towel hanging below the sink. "I wonder if my dad knows."
Outside, the rumble of a motorcycle vibrated the house. Romeo hitched his thumb over his shoulder.
Timber frowned in return, realizing it was a Killere member arriving. She broke away from him and walked into the living room at the same time Brody answered the door. Her dad strode into the house. Romeo stayed back, seeing the concerned look on Dice's face.
Over the last year, Dice lived at the clubhouse. He no longer wandered away or left for months at a time. He wanted to believe Dice stayed because his daughter now lived in Spokane and worked at the diner, but he knew differently.
When Timber's mom had left town, she went back to the Gabraldi family. She'd cut ties with her daughter and with Dice.
Dice never recovered from his ex leaving town. Sure, he attended club meetings, went on rides, and partied with the others, but he'd mentally and physically checked out. He gave Timber space, never asking after her. But Romeo had seen him watching.
Though, he was sure Timber remained unaware of how much her dad made sure she was doing okay. Romeo had no doubt that if she showed any sign of unhappiness or wanting to leave the relationship, her dad would step up and help her.
Maybe he put more faith in Dice than he deserved. But he hoped that was the case. Timber deserved to have a father in her life. Dice was close by and had the time. There was no reason he couldn't put some effort into building a relationship with her.
Romeo wouldn't let anybody hurt her. And that included Dice.
Dice's gaze flashed to Romeo. "Do you know?"
Considering the only person who could rile Dice was his ex, Romeo assumed the article in the morning newspaper was the topic they were discussing. "She knows."
Timber glanced at him, widening her eyes in exasperation at being ignored. He shrugged. Dice had asked him. He knew she could talk for herself if she wanted to speak with her father.
Dice ran his hand through his hair. Romeo lifted his chin at Brody, letting him know to give them some privacy.
Once the room cleared, Dice pulled out a piece of paper. "She gave me this before she left. She told me I'd know when it was okay to return to her."
Timber leaned forward and took the paper. Romeo suspected what was written down. He'd heard firsthand from Dice what Timber's mom had to say to him and what her plans were the night they found him in Seattle, cozying up to the front of the counter at a bar. Apparently, the only one who could make Dice do anything was Timber's mom. When she told him not to come after her, he'd listened because he'd stayed in Spokane for the last year.
"So, you're leaving?" She gave the note back to her dad. "Just like that, she snaps her fingers, and you go running off—"
"I'm not leaving you," said Dice.
Timber closed her mouth and stepped away, coming to stand beside Romeo. He put his hand on her neck and caressed her with his thumb. That's all Dice would get out of her. Romeo recognized when Timber had enough and shut down.
In the last year, Timber had drawn a line in the sand. While she hadn't verbally spelled it out for her dad, she let him know in her way that she wouldn't tolerate him arguing or blaming her.
Romeo squeezed her neck. She'd be okay. He'd make sure of it.
"You have my number if you need anything," said Dice.
"I won't." She leaned against Romeo. "I have a family now."
Dice dipped his chin, then looked at Romeo. "Take care of her."
"Always, brother," he murmured, holding out his hand.
Dice clasped his hand, understanding passing between them. While Dice had a long way to go to fill the role of a father for Timber, Romeo had to respect him for wearing the patch. That wasn't to say he agreed with the man's decisions.
"Well..." Timber turned around and shrugged once her dad had left. "That happened."
He leaned against the tall side table against the wall. There was nothing for him to say.
"She told him not to follow her. She told him the only way he could come to Seattle was if her dad died." Timber blew out her breath. "I should've known that was the only reason he stayed in Spokane. Of course, he'd listen to her. Now, he's going to run after her."
She plopped down on the sofa. There was always the chance that Dice would come back. He was still a member of Killere Motorcycle Club.
Timber looked up at him and frowned. "I didn't read the article in the newspaper. Did it say how my grandfather died?"
He walked over and sat beside her. "He was shot in the back of the head."
She scoffed, shaking her head as if the thought upset her. "That's...wow."
"The danger surrounding you is gone. Nobody is left who would have any interest in Frank Gabraldi's granddaughter," he said.
She leaned into him and sighed. "You know what I keep thinking?"
"What?"
She looked at him. "What if my mom killed him so that she could get back with my dad?"
He let his head fall to the back of the couch. Her theory wasn't out of the scope of possibilities. Someone would've had to have wanted him dead pretty badly to shoot him in the back of the head.