“Nah,” I promise. “If there’s one thing I can give you, it’s a future.”
And one that will be safe and comfortable, not only for her and our family but for everyone.
Climbing out of bed, I dress and slip out of the house. Dad is leaving his house as I walk out onto the porch.
“The kids are still sleeping,” he tells me.
“Good.” I left Holly falling back to sleep. The longer mom has the kids, the more rest Holly will get.
I walk over and join Dad on his porch. “How did you get on?”
Taking a deep breath, I tell him, “It went as I expected. By the time we wrapped shit up, everyone was on board.”
He nods, lost in thought. He goes to pat his pockets down, forgetting he doesn’t smoke anymore. It’s been years since he quit, yet he still goes for a cigarette every now and then.
“A few Hog assholes showed up at the hospital while you were gone. We rode out but Shane had sent them on their way before got there.”
“He took them on by himself?”
Dad nods. “In the middle of the cafeteria, by all accounts. No scene was made, and they haven’t been back since. The twins and Zach have been back and forth keeping an eye on things.”
Adrenaline hits me in waves. My club is strong, and my plan is going to work.
Chapter Forty-One
Shane
Ilisten to the doctor but all I can hear is I can take my son home in a couple of days, all being well.
Grinning down at my boy in my arms, I say, “You hear that, son? You get to come home and meet everyone soon.”
I’ll be glad to not have to come here to the hospital every day, that’s for sure.
“We’re going to be the perfect family,” Annie whispers to him, close beside me and I frown.
It’s not the first time I’ve heard her say it. It doesn’t sit well, but again, I don’t say anything.
We stay with Wolf late into the evening and by the time we get home, I’m not interested in anything but falling into bed. Annie doesn’t argue, all too happy just to be around me. Our bodies are inches apart but the gap between us has never felt so wide.
“Do you think he knows we’re not there?”
Clearing my throat, I say, “I don’t know but he’ll be home soon, and he won’t remember being away from us.”
I don’t want to talk, especially not with her.
“When he’s home, we should invite everyone around and have a cookout.”
“Hmm.”
She rolls her head to the side to stare at me. “What’s wrong, babe? You’ve been acting weird for the last few days.”
It’s now or fuck knows when. I’ve been on the edge of blowing for days, I can’t hold it in any longer.
“I know you’ve been lying to me.”
She laughs but it sounds wrong. I swing my legs over the edge of the bed and get up.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
