Chapter 3 #2
I walk through the compound and straight to Dad’s office. I give a light knock and wait. You never just walk in. I learned that quickly, too. I shudder at the memory.
“Fuck off,” Dad barks.
I exhale a slow breath before turning the handle and stepping in. He glares in my direction, a small blade in his right hand, ready to throw it. When he sees it’s me, he gets to his feet. He drops the blade, his hard exterior softening a little.
“Fuck’s sake, Storm! I nearly fucking threw my blade at you,” he barks, walking around his desk, his arms out wide.
I smile and go to him. His muscled arms wrap around me protectively as I rest my cheek against his firm chest. I breathe him in and sigh, his scent instantly calming me.
My safety. He kisses the top of my head.
“You know I’m pissed at you,” he murmurs.
I don’t look at him, my cheek still resting against him. “I know.”
“Is it here?” he asks with utter disdain.
“His name is Zeke,” I correct him.
“He has no name until I decide he’s worthy of me calling him by a name. So, for now, he’s it,” Dad counters, his deep voice rumbling against my ear.
I look up at him, his once dark hair now salt and pepper, and creases on the edge of his ice blue eyes. He’s always been a handsome guy. Even now as he’s gotten older, women and girls my age still throw themselves at him. I stare him down, and he smirks.
“You know your mother has been giving me that look for years. It doesn’t work on me,” he brags.
I roll my eyes and step out of his hug. “You need to come out there and meet him,” I demand.
“Don’t tell me what to do in my damn club,” he snaps.
I place my hands on my hips. “I’m moving in with him. I love him, and who knows, maybe one day we will be like you and Mom and get married and have kids.” I pause. “I want you to love him, because he’s an important part of my life.”
His ice blue eyes pin me, fury swirling in them. “You will not be having kids. Because for that to happen, it means you have to have sex. Which you are not. Because you are not thirty years old,” he growls.
I roll my eyes. “Dad!” I snap. “Stop being a dramatic toddler and come and meet my boyfriend.”
“Fine, but I reserve the right to hate the fucker,” he counters.
My lips twitch, fighting a smile. “Sure.” No one can ever make my dad do anything he doesn’t want to. Well, except my mom. She can usually break him. “Just don’t threaten him,” I plead.
He slides his hands into his jean pockets and shrugs. “If he treats my princess right, I won’t need to threaten him.”
I nod. No point in arguing with him. He’s protective and will destroy anyone for hurting me. It’s not a bad quality to have in a dad.
We walk back outside, and I see Zeke sat on a bench drinking beer. Scar, Acid, Spider, Cash, and Hap surround him, while Rage and Beast sit either side of him. Zeke chuckles nervously.
“Dad, call off your hounds,” I sigh.
“They’re only looking out for you,” he replies, an amused grin on his face.
“It’s not funny. Call them off,” I snap.
“Fine.” Dad walks over to them. “Fuck off,” he barks. The brothers laugh and move aside.
“Go gentle with him. He’s a delicate soul,” Beast snickers before walking off.
Zeke stands abruptly, wiping his sweaty palm on his jeans before holding it out to my dad.
Mom comes to stand at my side. “He’s different to who I thought you would end up with,” she states, I don’t look at her, both of us watching the interaction between Dad and Zeke. It’s like a car crash we can’t look away from.
“Sometimes different is good,” I reply.
“Sure it is, and I’m glad I taught you to look after yourself, because baby girl, that man couldn’t win a fight against a puppy,” she states.
I snort a laugh before giving her a side glance. “Not all men need to be capable of murder, Mom.”
Her eyes spark with amusement. “Who said anything about murder? Just a man that can spike the fear of God into people is a huge benefit. You know, I have my own parking space at the grocery store now.” Her lips twitch, fighting a smile.
I roll my eyes and shake my head. “You two are fucking ruthless.”
“Thank you.” She chuckles, wrapping her arm around my shoulder as we continue to watch Dad and Zeke.
“Whoever you choose, we will accept him into our family and protect him like our own. As long as he does right by you. He treats you with the respect you deserve, then he will always be welcome here.”
“Thanks, mom.” I smile warmly at her. We look back over to Dad and Zeke.
“Hold that thought. Your father is showing Zeke his blade,” she rushes out before running over to them.
I have to bite down on my bottom lip to stop myself from laughing at the terror on Zeke’s face.
I shouldn’t laugh. This family is insane.
I know Dad wouldn’t hurt him. He loves me, but that doesn’t mean he won’t threaten his life.
“So, I hope your boyfriend brought spare pants, because I’m pretty sure he’s just shit himself.” Ripley snorts a laugh beside me.
I give her a side glance. Her dark hair and curvy figure is just like her mom’s. She’s beautiful, just like her twin sister, Raine. “Laugh all you want. This will be you and your boyfriend one day,” I point out.
“Boyfriend? Who said boyfriend?” Beast bellows, arching his brow, his stare flickering between us.
No boyfriends, Dad. Relax. I know the rules,” Ripley sighs, rolling her eyes.
“Good. Only when they have passed the stringent tests can they even be considered, and you’re not twenty-five yet,” he reminds her of his ridiculous rules, before returning back to his conversation with Cash.
“Thank God I went to college far away. The guys there were hu-ung,” she whispers, while gesturing the length with her hands.
“Who was hung?!” Beast snaps his gaze back to ours.
“Witches,” Ripley answers swiftly, keeping her face neutral. I’m kind of amazed at her ability to lie. I would never guess she’s lying.
Beast grumbles before turning back to Cash. “The man has ears like a damn bat,” she mutters.
“When you have three kids—and twin girls—you need exceptional hearing,” Beast counters, not even turning around to face us.
“Girls, go rescue poor Zeke. I fear he may witness your parents’, er, love for one another any second,” Alina states, coming up behind us.
I glance back over to where my parents and Zeke are, and sure enough, Mom is furious, giving Dad what for. Dad has crowded her space, his eyes alight with enjoyment.
I sigh. “I’m on it. We can save their public displays of affections for another day. You know, ease him in slowly,” I quip as I make my way over to him.
“Hey,” I call. He flinches, his eyes wide, and then he swallows, relaxing a little when he sees it’s me. He stands, his untouched beer in his hands.
“We need to go,” he rushes out.
I frown. “You okay?” I ask, wondering if he’s coming down with something. He does look a little clammy.
“Yes, I’m fine, but Tori, your family. Your family are—”
I frown folding my arms. “My family are what?” I snap, arching my brow at him, waiting for his answer.
He reads my expression and lets out a nervous chuckle.
“They’re lovely. I’m just exhausted from today, and I don’t think I’m at my best for them.
I feel like I’m letting them down.” His eyes flicker behind me, widening.
“Your mom has just wrapped her legs around your dad’s waist, and they’re making out. Like erotically,” he murmurs.
I don’t bother looking around and just shrug. “They always do that. They love each other,” I say, waving it off.
He frowns, looking at me. “I just saw your mom’s side boob,” he states, as though I’m insane.
I sigh. “Look, it’s not like they are fucking right in front of you. They’re passionate, and I would also keep the information of seeing my mom’s side boob to yourself, or my dad will probably gut you,” I warn him. “Now, let’s get some food, and after we’ve eaten we will leave. Okay?”
He swallows, his face paling. “Just something small for me.”
I grin. “Come on, I swear you will get used to them. They’re good people.”