Chapter 25 Saint #2
The three of us laughed as police and SWAT officers walked around us. I leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to Amberly’s temple. I ruffled my son’s hair, not wanting to push any affectionate boundaries too soon.
But my hope for the future was that I’d be able to pick him up and kiss him all over. Making up for all the time I’d missed giving him the love he deserved.
The love I already felt for him.
The police officers wanted Amberly to give a statement about her time with the mafia, so it was up to me to entertain Mason.
Which wasn’t as hard as I thought it would have been.
He was a typical boy who enjoyed dirt, rocks, bugs, and bikes.
So, when I showed him which bike was mine, he immediately wanted to get on it.
“Cool,” he said, smiling.
And his smile warmed my heart.
I knew the guys were staring. But I didn't pay them any mind.
As far as I was concerned, our threat with the mafia and all this Lars nonsense was coming to a close.
The police were officially involved now.
And after a raid that locked up nine different men and freed over twenty women sold into sexual slavery?
It wouldn't be too long before the feds were breathing down Norden’s neck.
Which was enough cause for a celebration on our end.
After a bit of shuffling around, Amberly and Sutton—along with Mason—were in a cab heading back to the clubhouse.
Cage and I followed the cab with our bikes, keeping a lookout instead of getting comfortable.
Like the other guys were. The two of us knew all too well how easy it was for the mafia to grow two more heads when one was sliced off.
And the last thing I needed was anything to befall my newly-reunited family.
“You feeling good?” Cage asked.
I parked my bike and swung my leg around as Mason tore out of the cab.
He came running up to me and I scooped him up, holding him close to me.
He wrapped his little arms around my neck and clung tightly to me, freeing me up to cuddle Amberly as she approached my side.
With my arm wrapped around the woman I loved and my son clinging to my torso, I smiled broadly at Cage.
“I’m feeling more than good, brother,” I said, chuckling.
“All right. I heard something about sherbet back there. Let’s go see what we’ve got,” Cage said.
“Yeah! Can I have a soda, too?” Mason asked.
Amberly giggled. “Just this once. But no mixing the two. Remember what happened last time?”
“Wait, no ice cream floats? What happened last time?” I asked.
Mason made a puking sound before letting his head fly back. And I laughed as I caught him just before he launched himself out of my arms.
“Well, we’ll make sure to stay clear of those, then. Yeah?” I asked.
“I won’t mix them, Mommy. I promise,” Mason said.
“You better keep that promise, then. Because your word is very important. Okay?” I asked.
“Okay, Daddy.”
I paused, unsure of what I’d heard.
“I mean, if that’s okay. Sorry,” Mason said sheepishly.
I smoothed his hair back from his brow. “You can call me whatever you want, okay? Whatever you feel comfortable with.”
“So, Daddy’s okay, then?” he asked.
I blinked back tears. “That’s perfect, son.”
I reached out and cupped Amberly’s cheek, which was streaked with tears.
I pulled her forehead into my lips, kissing it before we all headed inside.
The guys were already cracking open sodas.
The women were already in the kitchen, whipping up a massive meal.
The kids were running around and Mason wiggled out of my grasp, anxious to go play with the other kids.
They kicked a ball around and knocked a picture off the wall.
Grave scooped up sherbet and ice cream for everyone and doled out the bowls.
I stood back and watched my son. How he interacted with the other kids.
How he helped them up whenever they fell down and how he tried to teach them how to kick the ball down the hallway.
“I thought you said he didn’t like soccer?” I asked.
Amberly slipped her arm around my back as I held her tightly to my side.
“Let me rephrase. He doesn’t like the rules of soccer. He’s all for kicking a ball around and causing a fuss,” she said.
“Yep. That’s my kid.”
“Oh, yeah. He’s all you, all the time. I’m in a lot of trouble.”
I chuckled. “And you wouldn't have it any other way.”
Everyone kept yelling over one another for food, spices, and drinks. The kids ran back and forth between the table and their toys, playing and running off their sugar highs. It was perfect. It felt like home. And I wondered if Amberly would ever be up to having more children.
One step at a time, Saint. One step at a time.
As my head panned over to the side door, I saw Diesel slip out onto the porch. He reached for his phone before disappearing, and I furrowed my brow.
“Give me a second, beautiful. Okay?” I asked.
“Okay, but don’t be too long. I want to keep celebrating with you,” she said.
I mindlessly kissed the top of her head. “It’ll be quick.”
I slipped out onto the porch and found Diesel wasn’t alone. Ryker was out there, and he looked furious. I closed the door behind me and they both looked in my direction, shushing me with fingers to their lips.
Then, I heard why.
The voice coming from Diesel’s speakerphone.
“I have to say, I’m impressed. Getting the police involved today will definitely… stunt some plans.”
Fucking hell, Lars was on the phone.
“Why are you calling?” Diesel asked.
“In part, to congratulate you.”
“I know that’s not everything, though. What is it? Spit it out.”
“So testy. No wonder crews like you suffer with heart issues and the like. Have you tried yoga?”
“What did you do?” Ryker asked.
I furrowed my brow. What the fuck was he so upset about?
Lars sighed dramatically. “All right. All right. You got me. Your celebration is only partially-lived. But don’t say I didn’t tell you so. I told you I could call back if you wanted me to.”
“What. Is it?” Diesel asked curtly.
Ryker looked like he was about to blow through the fucking roof.
“Mason wasn’t the only child in my possession, gentleman. Come on. I mean, why would your friend be so upset right now?” Lars asked.
My eyes hooked with Ryker as I watched tears crest the folds of his own. Wait a second, Ryker had a fucking kid?
Did he know he had a kid?
“What the hell does that mean?” Diesel asked.
“The only way for you to find out is if you come to a meeting with me. Alone. You and I, and no one else.”
“That’s not happening. Ever.”
“Then, I have no choice. I’ll be in touch with the details of our future endeavors. Enjoy your party! I hear sherbet is the item of the hour.”
And as my jaw fell open, Lars hung up the phone call.
“Fuck!” Ryker roared.
He turned around, slamming his fist into the side wall of the clubhouse.
Even I heard how still it went inside. My eyes bulged as I looked over at Diesel, and he looked weary.
Tired. In need of a very serious night’s sleep.
He sighed as he slipped his phone into his back pocket, waiting for Ryker to gather himself.
“Let me see the text,” Diesel said.
“What?” I asked.
“How did you know it was a text?” Ryker asked.
“I saw you storm out onto this porch after checking your messages. Someone sent you a text. Let me see it,” Diesel said.
I stood back, watching the exchange happen. Diesel’s eyes flickered over the screen as Ryker dug the heels of his hands into his eyes. Our president shook his head. I watched him draw in a shuddering breath before handing Ryker’s phone back.
“You need to start talking, and you needed to do it yesterday,” Diesel growled.
And with a sigh, Ryker nodded.
“That’s my kid in that picture, Diesel. My life force. My blood. The kid Lars has tied up in that picture is mine.”
Then, as if on cue, I heard the side porch door open. Heavy footsteps fell against the wood. And when the door shut, the rest of the prospects approached us from behind.
Looks like we got another kid to save.