Chapter 18 #2
Bile rose to the back of my throat when I thought about the possibility of Mom’s doctor taking advantage of her during her most vulnerable moments.
The man had to be a complete monster to do something like that.
Tears started to fill my eyes as I muttered, “How could he do something like that to her?”
“I have no idea. I pray he didn’t, but the mere thought of him putting his hands on your mother brought me enraged me.
I wanted to kill him. Oh, God. I can’t describe how much I wanted to kill him, but I’m no murderer.
” He came over and sat down next to me as he said, “That’s when I decided to go see Viper. ”
“Viper?” I gasped. “Why would you go see him?”
“I knew all about him and his club. Everyone at the precinct did. I didn’t know a cop who didn’t want to bring them down for something, but it couldn’t be done.
But that didn’t stop them from trying.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
My mind was literally reeling as I listened to him say, “When I first showed up on his doorstep, he thought I was just trying to bullshit him and add to the case the cops were trying to build against the club. And I gotta say, he wasn’t an easy man to convince.
But then, I told him why I was really there. ”
“So, what happened?”
“I told him about the good doctor and showed him everything I had on him, then I made him a proposition he couldn’t refuse.”
“What kind of proposition?”
“That’s not something I can discuss, not even with you.
” I’d always wondered how my father got involved with the Sinners, but this was far beyond anything I could’ve ever imagined.
“After he and the brothers dealt with the doctor, I used my skills in forensics to make sure no one would ever suspect that they had anything to do with his death. I was actually really good at it—which opened a door I never expected to open.”
“So, this door suddenly opened and what? You started cleaning for the Ruthless Sinners?”
“To start, yes, but with Viper’s help, it quickly grew into something more.
” He reached over on place his hand on my knee.
“There’s something about all this that you need to understand.
The cleaning business is a tough one. I have to do things I never dreamed I’d ever do, but with each job, I’m getting drug lords, cartel and gang members off the streets.
That’s something I’d tried to do for years, but even with the evidence I gathered, they still managed to find a loop hole and walked free.
Now, I have the means to make sure they received the justice they deserved. ”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“I know none of what I told you makes this easier for you, but I want you to remember that I’ve done what I’ve done for you and for your mother.”
“I will.”
He nodded, the removed his hand from my knee and crossed his arms. “Now, I think it’s time for us to discuss you and the Manor.”
“I’m sorry I never told you about what I was doing. I guess a part of me wanted to keep it a secret from you as some kind of revenge for you keeping so many secrets from me. I know that’s not fair, but it’s the only explanation I have.”
“I understand why you didn’t tell me, but what I don’t get is the why you started growing marijuana in the first place or even how you got it started.”
“Like you, I did it because of Mom.” I went on to tell him how I’d learned about the benefits of marijuana use in class and how it had made me think about Mom.
I was honest with him. I told him how I’d used my inheritance to build the Manor and how I’d been able to produce a product superior to anyone around.
“I don’t just sell it for profit. I also have people I donate to.
They’re either going through cancer treatments or dealing with migraines like Mom, but I’m helping to make their lives a little better. ”
“Really?”
“Um-hmm. I just met with a family a few days ago. The daughter has cerebral palsy, and they’re hoping this will help with some of the pain she’s dealing with.”
“I had no idea you were doing that.”
“I wouldn’t have done all this if I couldn’t have helped some people along the way.”
A smile crossed his face as he said, “Now, that’s the daughter I’ve always known and loved.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that. I’ve made plenty of mistakes along the way.”
“Like a few weeks back?” He leaned back in the swing. “Was that one of your mistakes?”
“It was, and I paid dearly for it.”
“Did you learn something from it?”
“I did. I think we all did.”
“Speaking of we... How did you get involved with Viper and the Sinners?”
“I have you to thank for that.” I grimaced as I told him, “It started the weekend I came home, and Menace was here.”
“Oh, damn. I should’ve known. Don’t tell me anymore. You keep your business dealings to yourself, and I’ll do the same.”
“Fair enough.” I leaned over and placed my hand on his arm as I asked, “So, are we good?”
“Yes, sweetheart. We’re good.”
“I’m so glad to hear you say that. I was so worried I was going to lose you.”
“Not a chance.”
“There’s one more thing I should tell you.”
“If you’re going to tell me that your seeing Country, I already know.”
“What?” I gasped. “How?”
“Knew it the second I saw the way he was looking at you. It was the same way I looked at your mother.”
“Oh, Dad. That’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“I hope he knows I’ll have his ass if he ever hurts you.”
“I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that. He’s really good to me.”
“You love him?”
“Oh, yes. More than I thought possible.”
“Then, that’s all that matters. I just want you to be happy. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
I reached over and gave him a big hug as I whispered, “ I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you, too, sweetheart.”
I ended up spending most of the afternoon with Dad.
Dad fixed us some lunch, and we even spent a little time out on the pier fishing.
I filled him in on how things were going at school and my plans to go to graduate school.
By the time I left, I was feeling better than I thought possible.
I hated that I’d waited so long to come and talk to him.
I’d wasted so much time worrying over what could go wrong that I hadn’t thought about the good that could’ve come from just talking things out with him.
For the first time in years, I finally understood why my father had made the decisions he’d made, and it helped ease the doubts about him that had always lingered in the back of my mind.
I had my daddy back, and I couldn’t be happier.
When I made it back to the Manor, I went straight to the office to find Grayson.
I was eager to tell him how things had gone with Dad, and I also wanted to see how he and Braylon had made out with putting all the new furniture together.
I’d hoped they would already be done, but sadly, that wasn’t the case.
Instead, I walked in to find Grayson on the floor next to Bray, and there were little piles of wood and screws scattered throughout the room.
The second I stepped inside, Grayson held up his hand and ordered, “Hold it right there!”
“What?”
“We’ve got this under control.”
“You sure about that?” I snickered as I said, “Cause from where I’m standing, it looks like these bookshelves have gotten the best of you.”
“It’s a workspace, babe.”
“A workspace, huh? Well, it looks a bit like a disaster zone to me.”
“Are you doubting our abilities here?” Grayson asked, sounding offended.
“I’m just stating the obvious.”
“Can’t believe you’re actually doubting my skills.” Grayson gave me a playful scowl as he said, “You should know better than anyone that I’m good with my hands.”
“I can’t disagree with you there.”
“That’s right. I was born for this shit. I just need a little time to get organized.”
“Um-hmm. If you say so, punkin.”
“Don’t you punkin me, woman! I’ll have your ass for that.”
I gave him a wink as I teased, “I certainly hope so.”
“Oh, good grief. You two are killin’ me,” Braylon whined, then turned to look at me with a scolding expression. “Don’t you have some work to do?”
“As a matter of fact, I do.” I tiptoed over to Grayson, then leaned down and gave him a quick kiss. “Thanks for doing all this for me.”
“Just doing what I can to make my woman happy.”
“Well, I appreciate it.” I stood, and as I started out of the room, I told him, “I’ll let you boys get back to work. Just give me a shout if you need a hand.”
“Not gonna happen. We got this covered.” I’d barely stepped into the hall when I heard Grayson shout, “You’re still gonna pay for the punkin shit later tonight.”
“Looking forward to it!”