Shadow and Skulls (Rebel Skull MC Series Book 6)

19. Chapter Nineteen

My dad’s brows pull together as he watches me at the window. He and my mom have been talking quietly in the kitchen. I noticed she locked his piece in the gun safe as soon as we got home. I think she knows what’s about to go down.

When he hears a bike pull in, she steps in front of him, blocking his way to the living room. He picks her clean off the floor and sets her ass on the counter. I place my back against the door.

“I’m ready to tell you who I was with,” I say quickly.

Instantly, he stops. “Oh, hell no. If that’s Ash, I’m going to kill that kid.”

My mom looks at me sadly.

“It’s not Ash.”

The knock on the door makes me jump, and my heart beats out of my chest. “Just please, Dad …” My voice trembles and I swallow, trying to steady it. “I’ve never asked you for anything. Just please don’t kill him.”

I turn and open the door. Tank’s green eyes connect with mine briefly before they raise over my head.

“Are you fucking kidding me?!” my dad roars behind me.

“Dan,” my mom grabs his arm, holding him back.

Well, I guess she’s not holding him back. That would be impossible. He hasn’t moved because he’s frozen in place. I think he’s in shock.

I grab Tank’s hand and pull him inside, turning to put myself between him and my parents. “Dad, please. Just hear us out.”

“He’s a fucking traitor,” he spits.

“Dan. Let’s just listen to what they have to say,” my mom tries again. She manages to back him up and push him into a chair.

I pull Tank farther into the room, sitting him on the opposite side of the table as my father. God, my dad’s face is so red. This isn’t a good start.

“I’ve come to ask permission to date your daughter,” Tank begins.

My dad laughs and I cringe, kicking Tank under the table. I think we’re a little past that.

“Oh, is that what this is? Don’t you think this question should have been asked before you spent the night with her?” Dan cracks his neck from side to side. “Go get my gun,” he tells my mom, not looking away from Tank.

“Dan, don’t be ridiculous.” She laughs nervously. “He’s not serious,” she tells Tank.

“Fuck I ain’t,” my dad growls. “I warned this motherfucker.”

Tank tips his head. “Actually, you told me she was your baby.”

I kick him harder, and he laughs.

“Kelsie, go to your room,” my dad orders.

My attention goes to him. “Dad.”

“Now.”

Time slows.

“No.”

Reluctantly, he pulls his gaze from Tank to look at me. “Kelsie.”

“I will go to my room after you hear what I have to say.” I glance at Tank before continuing. “I love this man. I love him, Dad.”

My mom gasps. I smile at her sadly. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you guys sooner, but it took me a minute to figure out what I was feeling.”

“Not happening,” my dad says to Tank, completely ignoring me.

Even though I understand, it doesn’t make it hurt any less. Tank and I both knew this is how it would go. He reaches under the table and squeezes my hand.

“I understand,” Tank says, his thumb brushing against my palm as he speaks. “I’ll respect your wishes.”

My dad grunts.

Tank stares at me, silently reminding me to have faith in the process.

“I will respect your wishes, too,” I say reluctantly, pulling my hand out of Tank’s as he rises from his chair.

“I truly meant no disrespect,” he says to my parents. He leans down and kisses the top of my head. “Goodbye, little shadow.”

And then he’s gone.

The clock ticks on the wall as the three of us sit in silence. I stand up.

“I never meant for this to happen. I never would have purposely done anything that might jeopardize my relationship with the two of you,” I tell them quietly, heading for the steps.

I jump when my dad slams his fist down on the table. “Goddammit, Kelsie. There’s nothing you could do to make us stop loving you.”

My foot pauses on the bottom step, and without looking back I say, “I feel the same about you.”