CHAPTER FORTY #2
My lips bloom into a crafty smirk. “Rings have a way of getting kind of sticky for Maddox and me. It makes sense that you’d be the one aiming to puppeteer this behind the scenes though. Just like the last time you made a suggestion, Maddox and I are far too connected for either of us to walk away.”
And because it’s Cash and he’s the witty smart-ass who orchestrated the blow-job prank, he tilts his head, his wheels turning as his gaze drops to my mouth with suspicion. So, I stick out my tongue, showing that my piercing is gone. We could all use a moment of levity.
He wipes his hand over his mouth, his bouncing cheeks betraying his grin seconds before a howl of laughter busts out of him. “That makes me so fucking happy.”
The sight of him cackling is contagious, and I devolve into my own fit of hysteria.
Axel and Ryker are lost, but still seem to enjoy the two of us sharing a snippet of joy.
Cash finally sobers, heading toward the door and addressing all three of us.
“We’ve got answers. The guy cracked quickly and divulged the little we didn’t know.
Gage and Liam are going to give us the night while they look into both the Lunds and the Makarovs and devise a plan.
They’ll meet with us tomorrow. I’m gonna go check in with Jax and the employees.
” He points at Maddox. “Call me if that motherfucker wakes up.”
“Family lunch at noon tomorrow,” Axel yells after him, strolling toward me. “Right here.”
Maddox and Mercy have both mentioned their mandatory meals, but I haven’t actually experienced one—aside from our lunch on July Fourth. It’s heartwarming to see that even with them all close to one another in proximity, Axel has a pulse on the deeper aspect of their relationships.
Ryker holds up a slip of paper between his index and middle fingers. “Your father sent a note. Up to reading it, or do you want me to hold on to it?”
A note is very much my father’s style of defusing the tension, so I don’t hesitate to accept. “I’ll take it.”
He hands it over and wanders back to the threshold.
“One more thing, Tess.” Axel bends so only I can hear him.
“Guilt has no place here. None of us blame you for anything. In fact, we think you’re fucking fierce.
So, whatever is going on in your head that has you wanting to tell people a story about what happened that night, let it go.
You and Maddox both made choices that are no one else’s business. Do you understand?”
I flick my gaze to Ryker, realizing he told Axel that I’d nearly confessed to my family that I killed Niko. He dips his chin in confirmation, so I swallow and peer back at Axel.
“I understand.”
“Good”—he pauses for effect to let the gravity of his following statement sink its burrs into me—“because to us, it never matters who in the family is struggling or in trouble. If one of us falls, we all fall. We’re a unit.
We fight together. So, the details of which family member did what that evening or this morning or any other time are irrelevant and never need to be mentioned again. ”
Axel really nails that whole godfather vibe. A warning, a welcome, and a pledge of protection, all rolled into one. I’ve never been more touched.
“You’ve built an incredible family. I’m honored to be considered part of it. And on that note, you never have to feel bad about showing—”
“Weakness?” he questions with an arched brow.
“Humanness,” I counter. “No one can carry everything. Maddox taught me that. I respect you more because your devotion to your family shows.”
He palms my head and plants a kiss in my hair before patting Ryker’s chest on the way out the door.
“I’m gonna stay right here, in case that letter sucks.” Ryker tosses his dice in his palm, his dimple making its first appearance today. “Mercy is putting Remy to bed, so she’ll be down soon if you want to wait.”
“No, I’m good.” I unfold the paper and shrug with a slight grin. “If it sucks, you’ll do. And if I need you, you’ll know.” I flip him off, like my eye-in-the-sky gesture that tells them I’m okay.
He huffs a quiet chuckle, and I begin to read.
Dear Tessa,
I realized this morning how much I’ve failed you.
I’ve always been in awe of your strength since you were a little girl.
And I think somewhere along the line, when you entered adulthood, I believed you could shoulder more than most. You can.
You have. But you still needed me to stand up for you, and I let you down. In time, I hope we can mend things.
I know you’re in a lot of pain right now.
Ryker informed me that Maddox is still in critical condition.
So, for now, I’ll simply share Maddox’s answer to the question I generally reserve for the guys who are looking to take the next step with one of my daughters.
I wasn’t sure if that applied to him, but due to him being a Noire and how taken he was with you, I thought it was wise to probe.
I told you at the engagement brunch that it was hands down the best one I’d gotten from any young man.
That was partly because when he’d first arrived, he’d been so anxious to see you that his entire being seemed to be searching for you, like every second away was torture.
It made his answer that much more authentic.
I initially debated about keeping it from you because I still wasn’t sold on the idea of you with a Noire, despite his impressive answer.
But when I saw the expression on your face as you watched him walk away, I knew it was out of my hands.
I also knew you’d resist it. Since you’re clearly all in now, you should see what kind of man you’re involved with.
He’s worth fighting for. It’s evident he’ll fight for you.
If you need me, I’ll be here. And if you need time and space, I’ll provide it. In the meantime, please know I love you, and I’m sorry I let you down.
Love,
Dad
P.S. As a reminder, the question is, “Why Tessa? What sets my daughter apart?” Maddox’s answer is on the back.
My heart is simultaneously broken and full, but I’m grateful my father thought of giving this to me. So much has changed since that day at my parents’ home. I resisted the idea of Maddox having deeper feelings for me then, and now I’m salivating for every crumb I can get.
I flip the paper over, and my eyes sting.
“I’m sure you have a favorite song, one that makes any moment better. Your daughter is my favorite song.”