Chapter Twenty-Three
Viking sat in his office, tapping a pen over the document in front of him.
He narrowed his eyes as he looked at the screen in front of him.
“Everything looks good, Cosmo. I’ve reviewed the contracts and confirmed the title searches are valid, ensuring we have clear ownership.
All the zoning and land use is clear for what you want.
Trust me, I’ve done my due diligence on environmental surveys and negotiated the terms. There’s obviously no escrow to worry about.
” That always made shit easy when they take shit from bastards who think trafficking women and kids is a good thing.
“I assure you, this, like every other closing, will be compliant and smooth. Just because I was out of town doesn’t mean I wasn’t taking care of business, protecting the RBMC and you from any hidden issues.
There won’t be any state or local laws that will pop up saying we didn’t adhere to, which might impact your investment,” he growled.
“Damn, Viking. I’m sorry, I don’t mean to question you or your ability to do your job. It’s just that—Dai Tai is pregnant. I want to gift her the beachfront property next to Doc and his ole’ lady. She’s scared of becoming a mother.”
Viking closed his eyes. His hand reached for his chest. The ache of losing his daughter was a dull thud instead of the normal debilitating pain. “She’ll be a great mom. You’ll be a fantastic father.”
He closed his eyes, letting his feet drop to the floor.
“Shit, man. I’m sorry. I forgot about.” Cosmo trailed off.
“No, it’s okay. Sarah will always be a part of my life.
I’ll always miss her, but I realized this past holiday that I can’t go on living if I’m constantly trying to climb into the grave.
You know what I mean?” He looked up, saw Jinx standing in the doorway.
He held his hand up, waving for her to come to him.
“Yeah. I get that. Anyway, I’m sorry, but fuck, I’m ready to lose my damn mind with worry. Every time Dai walks out of my sight, I want to demand she get her sexy little ass back where I can see her. I think she’s ready to slit my throat.” Cosmo chuckled.
“You'd better get that shit under control, or she’s liable to do just that. She’s scary when she’s mad, brother.” Viking patted his thigh, pulling Jinx down as she rounded his desk.
“Don’t I know it. Nevertheless, thanks again, Viking. If I have any more questions, I’ll stop and make sure I’m not being a prick before I call you.”
The wry tone had Viking smiling. “You can call and be a dick anytime. It’s why I charge you the big bucks.”
“I thought you’d make it a baby gift or some shit,” Cosmo grumbled.
“Get the fuck out of here. Tell Dai Tai I said, congratulations. When are the two of you going to announce it to the rest of the club?” He nuzzled his lips into the sweet curve of Jinx’s neck.
“We’re waiting until next month after her twenty-week scan.”
Viking hummed. “Smart move. If you don’t need anything else, I’m going to take care of a few more things this morning. Talk to you soon.”
He disconnected the call, keeping his arms locked around Jinx. “How much of that did you hear?”
“Not much. I’m sorry about your daughter.”
He let his chin rest on her shoulder. The silence felt easy as they sat there soaking in the comfort of one another. For long moments, Viking held Jinx, her weight giving him strength and solace when he’d been alone for too many years.
“If I hadn’t lost Sarah and Nancy, my life would look a lot different.”
She nodded, leaning back against him.
“I don’t think Nancy and I would still be married.
Hell, who am I kidding? We definitely wouldn’t have stayed married.
I fell out of love with her before she had Sarah.
I stayed with her for all the wrong reasons.
I think that’s why she hated me. Fuck, I.
..I tried to love her again. That was part of the reason it hurt so bad when she did what she did.
I kept thinking that if only I’d loved her, she wouldn’t have gotten into drugs. ” He took a shaky breath.
Jinx shifted around, her knees moved next to his hips.
She placed her hands on his cheeks, holding his face so he had to look into her eyes.
“Listen to me, Bekkett Larsen. I didn’t know Nancy, but I know you can’t make anyone do what they don’t want to do.
Sure, you could’ve been this perfect boyfriend, husband, whatever.
You could’ve catered to her every whim. That doesn’t change how a person is.
My brother got everything. He had the biggest bedroom.
Even when his twin was alive, our parents showered Benjamin with more praise.
He demanded more attention, and he got it.
After Brandon’s death, Benjamin was coddled.
He received twice the allowance, because, of course, he should.
It was sickening. And still, look at the psycho he became or always was.
I’m not saying your ex was the same. I’m just trying to point out that people are who they are, regardless of what others do or say.
You can’t blame yourself for others' behavior. Period.”
“You’re such an amazing woman, Blair Clemons. You know that?” He wrapped his arms around her, keeping her steady. His chair was big but not big enough for what he’d like to do.
“Why, thank you, sir. I have heard that a time or two.” She smiled down at him.
“Is that so? Who else has said that to you?” he growled.
Jinx wiggled her ass. “Are you jealous that others have complimented my greatness?”
Viking knew a trap when he heard one. His phone chirped behind Jinx, the tone he’d set for Keys. “Shit, that might be important information about you.”
She bit her lip. “You should probably get it then.”
He reached around her, picked up the device, and hit the Talk button. “What’s up, Keys?”
“When you and Jinx are up and around this afternoon, I wanted to see if you wanted to come up and visit Palmer and me for lunch. We can go over some things I found while you're both here.”
For the first time since he’d spoken to the man, Viking didn’t hear the tapping of a keyboard in the background.
“Is everything okay? You don’t sound like you’re at your computers?”
Keys barked out a laugh. “I’m not surgically attached to the damn things.”
“Could’ve fooled me, brother,” Viking said, half joking.
“I have a program running. I’m watching Palmer make sourdough. She’s decided she needs to make it for all the women or some shit. Don’t ask me why, but it’s cute as fuck watching her do it.”
Viking rolled his eyes. “It’s a thing I heard.”
Keys grunted in acknowledgement, and then he heard Palmer mutter in the background. “I gotta go. See you two in a bit.”
“You’ll like Palmer. She and Keys grew up in the same small town and reconnected a few years ago.”
“All these women are so different than me.” She tried to move off his lap.
Viking tightened his grip. “What do you mean?
Jinx shook her head. A tear slid from the corner of her eye.
“All of these women you talk about seem like they have their shit together. You talk about them with so much respect. How can you look at me and compare me to someone else in the same space without thinking I’m lacking?
Like the only thing I’ve done is take a shitton of money that my grandmother left me, so at least I’m not a thief, and traipse across the country.
I spent ten years disappearing as best I could.
The only things I’ve accomplished are learning to take down an opponent in several martial arts and to make cocktails with flair.
I chose a state in a cold area in the northeast because it was as far away from my family home as I could get. ”
“Okay, let’s tackle that shit one thing at a time.
For one, you’re every bit as accomplished as the other ladies.
Each and every one of them has gone through their own fair share of hell and back—from abusive exes, human trafficking, sex trafficking, or worse.
Their lives now might look great, but they sure as shit didn’t start out that way, and I’m sure if you ask them, they’d tell you they have rough days even now.
If I haven’t shown you respect, please let me know.
I would rather cut my arm off than hurt you like that.
My god, I respect the fuck out of you, just as I do all the women married to my brothers. ”
She shook her head. “You do. You have. I didn’t mean that you don’t respect me. I don’t feel like I deserve it because I’m not like them.”
“That’s fucking bullshit. Just like you telling me I wasn’t the cause of Nancy’s shit, you’re also clearly self-blind, Vakker.”
“Is that a thing, being self-blind?” She gave a little sniff and laugh, which he found endearing.
“Obviously, when it comes to you, we’re creating new things.”
“So, we should agree that we’re both worthy and neither of us can judge ourselves based on what other people have done or accomplished?” she asked, settling her ass on his thighs.
He narrowed his gaze on her beautiful face. “Why do I feel like you just turned this around on me?”
She looped her arms over his shoulders. “I didn’t. But if what you said about me respecting myself and all, that means you can’t beat yourself up anymore either. Deal?”
Viking stood with her, loving the way she yelped. “I think I need to remind you of who is in charge in this relationship.”
He walked around his desk to the leather sofa under the bay window. Easing Jinx down, he placed one knee on the supple dark grey surface. “I think it’s time I christen this couch.”
Two and a half hours later, Viking drove the little side-by-side up to Keys house. He didn’t need to text the other man to let him know they’d arrived, seeing the cameras along the trail as he and Jinx rode into their back driveway.
Keys stepped out on the back patio with his petite blonde wife next to him. Jinx gripped his hand like a lifeline.
“Everything is going to be fine. Believe me, whatever we find out, we’ll face together.” He slid out of his side of the ATV, pulling Jinx out with him.
“Palmer, looking beautiful as always. I don’t know why you stay with that fucker when we’ve all offered to find you a man who isn’t hooked to wires.” Viking reached for Keys hand.
Jinx let go of him, making him look back for a moment, but he was grabbed up in a back-slapping embrace from his friend.
“Ah, so glad to see you haven’t lost your sense of humor, asshole. Look, Palmer, Viking finally brought home a woman. We need to talk to her. She needs to be warned that he’s all work and no play.” Keys looked around Viking, winking at Jinx.
“Don’t listen to either of them. As you might’ve heard, they’re both full of shit. I’m Palmer.”
Viking grinned as Keys ole’ lady stepped around them and wrapped her arms around Jinx. His woman stood with wide eyes for a second, then she seemed to relax and hug Palmer back.
“It’s nice to meet you, Palmer.”
“Come on inside. Do you want tea or something harder to drink?”
“Palmer’s from the south. She thinks everyone should drink good old sweet tea. If you don’t drink that, then something is wrong with you. And yes, she makes it the good way.” Keys dodged his woman’s slap.
“I’d love some sweet tea, please.” Jinx’s smile brightened her face at the welcome from Palmer and Keys.
“If you don’t mind, I’m going to steal this fucker for a little bit. I swear it has nothing to do with you, Jinx.” Keys held up his hands.
“Go on in with Palmer. I’ll come find you when we’re finished.” Viking kissed her forehead, then turned to follow Keys into his war room.