Steel held his gaze for a long moment before he answered, “Four million.”
Pumpkin nearly fell over. Steel was quick to put his arms out to steady him. “What the—what? I mean, did you just say… Like,million. As in the number four withsixzeros, million?”
Steel seemed more concerned about Pumpkin keeping his balance than he did Pumpkin’s shock at the settlement number. “Yes.”
Pumpkin was fairly certain the only other time he’d ever been this surprised was when he’d been told he was going to be a father. “Um, where is it? I mean, I assume it’s in a bank account and not gold bars, but you know, like it is in my account or another account or…”
“It’s in escrow. I was able to negotiate on your behalf but I did not want to actually receive the funds until we knew more about your condition. After you started your recovery, I knew it would be safe there until you were ready. In a few days or weeks, whatever you prefer, we’ll head over to the bank with the paperwork and Susan Black”—the club’s attorney—“to take care of the transfer for you.”
“Wow,” Pumpkin breathed. “Just…wow.”
“I know it’s a lot to take in. You had a good amount in savings and I’ve been using that to take care of SJ’s, Frankie’s, and your expenses.Grumpy also continued your salary so your health insurance and benefits continued too.”
Pumpkin nodded slowly. “Thank you. I really don’t know what to say. This is…a lot.”
“And now you understand why I didn’t think a party today was a good idea.”
Pumpkin had to agree. It was what made Steel such a formidable leader and President. He was always thinking three, four moves ahead. Pumpkin wondered if the man had ever played chess before. He’d probably be a Grand Master if he did.
There’d been times over the years when Pumpkin had questioned or not agreed with a decision Steel had made. But he’d fallen in line like a good little soldier. Then later, he would discover something Steel had known or suspected, or figured out why Steel had done what he’d done, and it would all make sense. Because at the end of the day, every decision Steel made was about protecting his family.
It was what made Jenna’s illness twice as heartbreaking. Because if it was anything else, any other battle, Steel would have fought it until the bitter end. He would have gone out swinging for his woman, leaving a trail of bodies in his wake. But an incurable disease?
He couldn’t fight that.
Clearing his throat, Pumpkin looked towards his new house. “So, um, I take it Frankie is going to move back to her old trailer now that I’m home?” He needed to set a new normal for him and SJ. He needed to start taking responsibility for his son again.
“No, Frankie’s staying on as your nanny.”
His head snapped back towards Steel, his eyes narrowing. “Why? I’m here now. I can take care of SJ.”
“I’m sure you can, but you didn’t hear me: she’syournanny.”
Pumpkin frowned. And then the lightbulb went off. “I do not need a nanny!” He was a fucking grown-ass man! Walker aside, he could take care of himself.
“You do until I say otherwise,” Steel said without remorse before he started towards the house.
Pumpkin walked forward too, leaning on his walker. “Steel! I’mserious, I appreciate everything she’s done, but I need to be the one who is taking care of SJ!”
“Take care of your son all you want,” Steel said without turning, “She’ll still be here taking care of you.”
Pumpkin was a lot slower than Steel. The man made it up the ramp and inside Pumpkin’s house before Pumpkin had even reached the bottom.
Grumbling, he followed. He was fairly sure the ramp wasn’t permanent. He was certain he recognized it from when Bear had broken his leg and it had been attached to his house.
Pumpkin was sore by the time he reached the top but not enough to keep him from moving forward. And he would keep on moving forward. He’d gain back his strength and his independence.
He’d do it for himself, for his club, but mostly for his son.
“On your mark… Get set…”
Pumpkin leaned forward a little more in his wheelchair, his hands tense on the metal rung of the wheels.
“Go!”
Pumpkin pushed off. The rubber tread of his wheels moved smoothly against the concrete slabs of the sidewalk. When Angel had adopted Bree two years ago, Steel had commissioned a walkway to be added around the club’s property. The path circled around the clubhouse, past the houses in The Pentagon, through a wide field, and around the pond, totaling a quarter of a mile. It created a nice walking path for the ol’ ladies, especially for those with strollers, and it allowed Bree to get from her house to the clubhouse without going onto any gravel or grass.
And now? It was a racetrack.
