Chapter 15
“Candy, I’m telling you once more to shut the fuck up.” I barrel through the club doors with her in tow.
She jerks her arm, but there’s no use. “You’ve got to be kidding me with this shit.”
“Not on your life.” I hail a cab as far from the front as I can.
“Let go of me or I’ll scream.” She tugs her arm once again.
“Candy, so help me, if you don’t get your ass in the cab and stay away from us, God as my witness, I’ll make you regret it.” I glare down at her.
She reaches for the cab handle, turning to me. “I hope she’s worth it because this is twice you’ve sent me packing. You’ll not get another chance.”
“Thank fuck.” Her mouth falls open, giving me the chance to slam the door shut.
As the cab drives off, I turn to watch Reese leave with Alden. “Son of a bitch.” I fist my hair in a fit of rage. “I can’t catch a fucking break.”
“Wonder why that is?” I jump, grabbing my chest when Riley sneaks up beside me.
“Fuck,” I growl. “Yeah, I know.”
“Although, I have to say this is better than zombie Walker,” he laughs.
“Fuck you, asshole,” I grunt. “She’s… damn, she’s…” I blow out a long, steady breath.
“So, what’s your plan?” he asks as we turn back to the club.
“I’m not sure, but I’m positive groveling will be involved.”
He shakes his head, his brow furrowing. “I don’t think so. She’s badass.”
“She was seconds from beating Candy’s ass.”
“Damn straight.” He chuckles. “Next time, give it a couple before you haul anyone away.”
I come to an abrupt stop. “Riley?”
“Yeah?” A line creases his forehead.
“Reese said something I’m not sure how to absorb.”
“From what I gather, there wasn’t much talking.” He crosses his arms with a smirk.
I fight a smile as my pulse kicks up, thinking of Reese in my hands, how she felt. “I’m referring to what she said to Candy, smartass.”
“Yeah, that shit. You think she believes it?” He tilts his head, waiting for my response.
“I’m not sure. How is she so confident in me?”
“Walker, Reese sees what we all do… except you. You think you’re ruined, no good for nothing. It’s not true, brother.”
“She doesn’t know me. She knows nothing about what I’ve done, who I am.” I pound my chest, full of regrets.
“She sees you. Yeah, you need to be honest and open, but that’s what we all do when we’re building relationships.” He shrugs.
“I want her, like nothing I’ve ever desired.”
“Then fucking go get her. Because she damn well wants your crazy ass.”
I glare at him. “Asshole.” I get him in a headlock. He wraps his arms around my waist, picking me up.
“Don’t make me slam you, man,” he yells.
“The fuck you will, baby brother.”
“Boys!” Ava snaps her fingers at us.
We stop dead as if hoping to not be caught. “All right.” We stand there, frozen.
“I can see you! Put your brother down right now, Riley!” she shouts, and we burst into laughter, falling to the ground. “Dammit! You two are gonna be the death of us.”
Riley’s nose scrunches. “I’m in trouble.”
“Thanks, little brother.” I pat his chest, reaching for his hand as I stand.
He pulls me into a bear hug. “Love ya, man. Go easy on yourself.”
“I think I’m gonna chase me a redhead.”
“I’m headin’ into the eye of the storm.” He gestures toward Ava.
“You love it.” I punch his arm.
“I love her.” His head bobs in agreement. “You deserve this, even if you are an asshole.”
“You’re like a wart on the end of a dick, scary but fun.”
“What the hell?” His mouth hangs open.
“I started to say you’re like herpes. Everyone’s having fun until you show up.”
He shakes his head at me. “I’d say you’re as rough as a cactus but you’re only a little prick, so I guess you’re just a needle dick instead.”
“Boys, seriously?” Ava stands with her hands on her hips, brows pulled tight. “Will y’all ever grow up?”
“You wouldn’t want us to.” Riley grabs her, throwing her over his shoulder with a smack on her ass.
“Fuck, no, I wouldn’t.” She stretches to find me, crooking her finger for me to follow them.
“Come on, brother. Let’s go get lit.” She screams when Riley pops her ass again.
“Not for you, my dear, but I’ll happily smack dat ass all night.” Ava’s head bounces as Riley hauls her into the club. Cheers ring from the rafters. “She ain’t gettin’ away this time, fellas.” He lets her down, wrapping her in his arms.
“I’m not running, Ry.”
“Maybe you should.” I kiss her cheek before my brother can claim her.
“Get the hell off.” He jabs at me as I trot away. I flip him off and head to the bar.
We celebrate the night away; my baby brother has never been happier. It’s moments like this I miss Sallie the most. She would’ve been over the moon for Ava and thrilled for the both of them. I can’t begin to count the times I’ve let her down.
I’m gonna do my best to rectify the situation.
Monday morning, I walk into my office with a new determination. “Good morning, Walker. Chord Hamilton is waiting for you.” Donna points toward the door.
“Okay, good. Once we’re finished, I need Lachlan Daly.”
“On it. Here’s your mail.” Donna is amazing. She needs a raise.
I open the door to reveal a distraught plaintiff. Chord Hamilton is a close friend and at one time, my future brother-in-law. “Chord, good morning.” I reach for his hand, shaking it vigorously.
“Man, I don’t know about any of this.” His hands fist his hair.
“Have a seat and tell me what’s going on.”
“I love her,” he says with a deep sigh.
“And…” I settle in with a smug smile.
“You knew? How?” He falls back into his chair. His face is scrunched as though he’s in pain.
“You told me, man.” I toss my mail on the desk. “Do you want to move forward?”
“I don’t know. I’m thinking of asking her to move in.” He leans forward, dropping his head in his hands.
“I think it’s time to talk to your brother.”
His head pops up. He blinks in shock. “Why in the hell would I do that?”
“First,” I stand, walking around my desk to lean against it, “your family will eventually find out she’s there. Second, One is more than capable of helping you with this and you know it.”
“I know. Really, I do but he’s gonna be all judgmental.” His brows knit together.
I sit on the desk, shaking my head. “I don’t know of a better man than One. Your brother is better suited for this than me or you. Men like our brothers are few and far between, but they come equipped for things like this, while the rest of us stumble through every aspect of life.”
He leans back, pursing his mouth. “You’re right. Should I put this on hold?”
“What’s your heart tell you, Chord?”
He stares at me for a minute. “That I need to put this on hold but my head says no, she might run again. At least this way, I have a little leverage.”
I know in my gut this is wrong. “We’ll sit on it. Call your brother or as your friend, I will.”
“You can’t do that.” He glares at me.
“I know, but I was hoping it would scare you into doing it.” I shrug.
“Yeah, you made me nervous as hell. That’s for sure.” He stands, combing his hair back. “I’ll go see him.”
“Good because we’re outta our league here.”
“Thanks, man.” He shakes my hand before turning to the door.
“Keep me updated.”
He swings the door wide, waving his hand in the air. “Will do.”
“Walker?” Donna calls from the door.
“Yes, Donna?”
“Mr. Daly will be here momentarily,” she tells me.
“Oh, good.”
“Do you need anything?” She waits for me.
“No, I’m gonna type this up quickly. Just show him in when he arrives.”
“Yes, sir,” she says with a smile.
I type furiously, wanting to present this the best way possible to Lachlan.
“Walker?” Donna’s voice rings through the intercom.
“Yes, Donna?”
“Mr. Daly is here,” she announces.
“Show him in, please.” I hit send, waiting for the paper to print.
“Walker, good morning. I hope you have some good news.” Lachlan gets straight to business when he enters the room.
“Have a seat and we’ll discuss it.” As he sits, I grab the proposal, handing it over. “If you approve, I’ll take it to her myself and sell the hell outta it.”
“It’s more than I want to give, but it’s worth a try.” He bobs his head. “They’re making me more determined than ever to get this thing.”
“Initial it and I’ll head over there this afternoon to present it.”
“When do we go before the judge?” His brow furrows.
“Two weeks. We need an agreement, or he’ll make it for us.”
“Go get it, Walker.” Lachlan hands the paper back, rising from his chair. “Just make sure Candy isn’t around when you do.”
“Fuck you. That’s as professional as I can get with that.” I chuckle.
“At the risk of sounding a little too Scottish, have you considered taking your Sassenach to bed?” He grins wryly.
“Many times, Lachlan, but I think I better talk to her first.”
“Aye, you could be right.” His face pinches. “Let me know how the meeting goes.”
“Will do.” I take his proffered hand, and he leaves.
The day flies by and I find I’m even more nervous than usual when it comes to being around my favorite girl. “Donna, I’m going to run over to Reese’s to give her our newest proposal.”
“Good luck and have a great evening.”
The thought of seeing Reese makes my palms sweat. “You too.”
I take the longest route possible to get to Reese’s office, going over every detail a million times. I want her to accept it but most importantly, I want her to know I’m trying. As ridiculous as it sounds, I want her to like me.
I saunter through the doors and to the receptionist desk. A petite brunette sits behind the counter. She drags her eyes up my body before making eye contact. “Hello. May I help you?”
I flash her the Pennington smile with a side of charm. “I certainly hope so. I’m looking for Reese Morgan.”
She smiles devilishly. “I’m happy to help you with anything you need. Anything.”
I can’t help but smile until a clearing throat draws our attention. “Excuse me.” Reese folds her arms over her chest, pushing her assets into full view. “Doris, I’ll take him from here.”
“I’ll be here.” Doris winks at me.