Chapter 19
I wanted to close my eyes and pretend we weren’t on our way to my family home, but I knew it wouldn’t do any good.
We were, and we’d tried to postpone it indefinitely, but after a week of Shadow pushing back against Dad’s offer, we had no choice.
Dad refused to go further with the partnership until we came to dinner.
And while Spawn had found a ton of stuff, he hadn’t fully found out what Truce’s role was in the business, except as a fighter. Our guts told us he was more than that.
Spawn was compiling the information to be sent to the appropriate authorities for some of the individuals caught up in the fighting businesses.
Others, like my family, wouldn’t see the inside of a prison.
It was too risky if they found a way to get off or got a light sentence.
No matter how long they might be incarcerated, once out, they’d come after us if they knew we were responsible.
Or they’d restart the businesses. Neither was what we wanted.
I thought about how I’d feel if my entire family were killed.
I should be appalled. I might feel some degree of guilt after they were gone, but I didn’t think it would be overwhelming or permanent guilt.
The truth was, they’d hurt so many people and animals in ways that couldn’t be tolerated.
Left unchecked, they’d continue doing it.
Did it make me a horrible person, like my family, that I’d be okay with what was planned? Maybe, but I saw it as what was for the greater good. And every time, I landed on what was in the works as the answer.
I tried to force myself to relax. The closer we got to Dad’s house, the tenser I became.
I refused to think of it as my home. I wanted nothing to do with the place.
I jumped when Shadow's hand landed on my thigh.
He rubbed soothingly up and down my leg.
I caught him glancing over at me. I gave him a wan smile.
“Ellie, baby, I know this is stressing you out. I’m sorry. I hoped you wouldn’t need to be exposed to any of them again. I hate that I can’t protect you from that.”
“Braxton. Don’t. It’s not your fault. You and the club are doing everything you can to take care of this, them. I don’t blame you. And even if I hate it, I can survive. Dinner with them is hardly the worst thing to happen in conjunction with my family,” I assured him.
I picked up his hand on my leg and entwined our fingers. We finished the drive that way. This time, we’d come in his Challenger rather than on the bike. I think he knew I needed to feel enclosed, protected. One of the things I loved about him was how he knew things without me having to say a word.
When we pulled up in front of the house, I took a deep breath, then slowly blew it out as Shadow shut off the car.
My dad’s SUV, my brothers’ and uncle’s vehicles were there as well.
My man got out and came around to open my door.
I gratefully took his hand and let him lead me to the front door.
We were on the porch when Rome opened the door.
He didn’t smile, but he spoke kindly. “Good, you’re here. Come on inside.”
We did, and when the door closed behind us, I was hit with an overwhelming urge to run, but I swallowed it down. In the living room, Dad, Jace, and Jock sat.
It was Dad who stood and came over to greet us.
He shook Shadow’s hand, then turned to me.
He studied my face for a few moments before he wrapped me in his arms. It was awkward.
I patted his back since I didn’t know what else to do.
It was a relief when he let go. My brothers and uncle nodded or raised their hands in greeting.
At least they didn’t force me to suffer their touch.
“I’m glad you came. Have a seat. We’ll start the grill in a bit to do the steaks.
I hope you like steak, Shadow. Grilling is the only real talent I have for being a chef.
We’ve sure missed Aubrielle’s cooking. She takes after her mama in that direction.
I can grill, make a baked potato, and grill corn on the cob, and that’s about the extent.
Can we get you something to drink?” Dad asked as we sat on the shorter part of the sectional.
Dad sat in his chair while Uncle Jock and my brothers sat on the longer part of the sectional.
“No need to go to any trouble, Oliver. Thank you for the invitation. I know what you mean about your daughter. I’ve gained weight since I met her.” Shadow smiled at me as he said it.
“Yeah, like that’s true. If you’ve gained, I don’t know where you’re hiding it,” I teased him.
A smile spread across my man’s face. “I’ll show you at home,” he said, then winked. I laughed.
“You seem happy,” Jock said, almost as if he were saying it to prove it to himself.
“I am. The happiest I’ve ever been. Is there anything I can help with? You know how I am about sitting still,” I said.
No one spoke for a couple of moments, then my dad did. “Well, if you don’t mind, will you put that salad you sometimes make together? And make the dressing? I’ve got the ingredients, but it’s not my forte,” Dad replied.
“Sure, I can do that. Excuse me,” I told the room in general.
Before I stood, I kissed Shadow, then rose. The kitchen was still visible from the living room. And unless they whispered, I’d still be able to hear what was discussed.
While I put the salad together, I listened with half an ear as they talked about generalities.
They asked Shadow about his work. And he was able to prod them a bit more about how the fighting was going with both businesses.
There had been another dogfight and a minor fight-club night.
It wasn’t a championship like the one Shadow and the other Punishers attended.
It was the mention of the fight club that made me realize what was missing. There was no Truce. Thank God. For once, I didn’t have to have him staring at us. But it felt off not seeing his scowling, disapproving face.
I finished up the salad and dressing, put them in the fridge, and while I was in there, I asked the guys, “Anyone want something while I’m in the kitchen?” It was reflexive.
The chorus of “beer” from my family had me snagging four bottles.
Shadow explained when we were still at home, he’d refrain from having any alcohol at Dad’s.
Instead, I got bottles of water for him and me.
When Shadow saw me juggling it all, he jumped up and hurried over.
He took the beers from me and then handed them out.
“You know she’s capable of carrying a few beers,” Rome drawled with a subtle undertone of censure.
“Yes, I know she is,” my man replied coolly.
“Then what’s with jumping up and helping her. It won’t hurt her to do it. I hope you don’t spoil her like that at home. If you do, she’ll become insufferable, and you won’t have anyone to blame but yourself. We didn’t let her act that way,” Rome continued.
“Answer me this. Out of the four of you, who has a woman right now?” Shadow asked nicely.
Rome frowned. “None of us. What’s that got to do with anything?”
“Well, I think it has a lot to do with things. Clearly, if you showed respect to women, you’d have one.
Treat them like slaves, and you’re left fetching your own beer and a whole lot more.
My mom raised her son to be a gentleman.
Don’t let the cut fool you. And if any man treated my sister the way you indicate your sister should be treated, he’d be put in the hospital and she’d be gone. ”
Shadow’s tone started conversational and non-aggressive.
By the time he finished, it was clear he was pissed off about what Rome said.
And he didn’t care who knew it. His stare made Rome look away, while my brother’s neck and face flushed red.
Jock and Jace appeared uncomfortable. As for Dad, he watched Shadow closely.
“Shadow may have a point, Rome,” Dad finally said.
Then, he changed subjects. The talk from there was nothing too in-depth and strained, but we remained slogging away at it.
Shadow steered the conversation back to the businesses.
He talked about how much the club looked forward to beginning.
He pumped them for information on when the next fights were—questions about how they found locations that kept them from attracting the wrong people's attention.
I was surprised when they readily answered him.
I hadn’t expected them to do it. Eventually, they moved outside and started the grill.
To ensure the baked potatoes were fully cooked and had crisp skin, I brushed them with olive oil and placed them in the oven.
The corn was parboiled to cook faster on the grill.
I shooed the guys outside, saying I’d take care of this and they could talk business.
There was a purpose behind it. The club had doubted my family would feel comfortable leaving Shadow alone in the house. But they had never seen me as a threat, so they probably wouldn’t even think twice if I stayed alone inside.
I put the potatoes in the oven. Ensuring they were still outside talking, I went down the hall to my dad’s office. I spoke barely above a whisper.
“I’m going to the office.”
Through the earpiece that both Shadow and I were equipped with, I heard Shadow clear his throat. That was our prearranged signal to show he heard me, right after Spawn’s voice came.
“Just see what you might be able to find. Don’t push it. If you receive Shadow's signal that someone is coming inside, get the fuck out of there. Don’t risk yourself,” he reminded me.
“I won’t. Of course, finding it will be the key. His desk is a mess,” I said as I entered the office.