I waited until he’d pulled away from the curb. Then it just exploded out of me. “I’m going to marry your daughter.”
Sal’s expression didn’t change. “Son, do you know that I’ve never let my daughter date anyone in my club?” I nodded. “You know why?” He never took his eyes off the road. I sat there silent and shaking in my boots, trying not to let it show. “There’s never been a man worthy of my princess. No one who could protect her, love her, the way she needs or deserves. She’s one of the strongest people I’ve known. Even as a little girl. She’s the best of my wife and I. Angelic, like her mother. Always willing to give a helping hand to anyone in need. But she’s hellfire when you piss her off. And that, my boy, she gets from me.” Pride showed in his eyes. “I knew that one day, a man worthy of my girl would come around. I always thought maybe one of my brothers would spike her interest, but it doesn’t look that way.” He half grinned, but it didn’t get rid of the tightness in my chest.
“Sir, I love your daughter. She’s my world. I would fight for her, no matter the outcome.” I shifted in the seat, figuring I should tell him everything. “My home life wasn’t what you’d call great by any means. I never even really thought about love until I saw your daughter. As pussy ass as this sounds, I just knew when I first saw her that I’d do anything to have her love.” Clenching my fists, I forced down rage. “When those assholes took her, it felt like my entire world was crashing down around me. It wasn’t until I held her in my arms again that the world felt right.” I felt like a tool, purging my heart like that, but it couldn’t be helped.
For a while we sat in silence. I wasn’t sure what that meant. Did he approve or was he about to rip my throat out? Either way, I didn’t give a shit. I was in love with his daughter, not him, and it was our life, not his. I wanted his approval for Jules’ sake, not mine. I couldn’t care fucking less if he liked me or not. I’d marry her today if I had my way.
Sal interrupted my mental tirade, jerking me back to the conversation. “I felt that way about her mother.” Tilting his head, Sal looked over at me. “Did Jules ever tell you how her mother and I met?”
Where was he going with this? “No, sir, she didn’t.”
Sal settled back. “She was nineteen and thought it would be cool to come see what the inside of a real MC Club looked like. Her words.” He laughed. “So she came around with some of her friends who’d been there before. But man, Cara, she had no clue. Not to mention, it was my patch party, so shit was crazier than normal.” He laughed again, shaking his head. “One of the brothers chatted her up, letting her know he was interested. By that time, the party was getting really wild. There was sex all around. Brother, I saw her eyes get about ten times their size. I never saw blue eyes that big.” He smiled slyly. “So my brother was trying to hit her up, and she had no clue he was about to pounce all over that shit.” Just talking about someone else with his lady had his fingers gripping the steering wheel tighter. “I walked over there and asked my brother if I could have her since it was my patch party. He walked away, like I figured he would. I took her to my room, telling her it was quieter. She was so scared. Had no clue what was in store.” That got another laugh out of him. “The rest is history. God, to this day that woman still makes my heart race.”
I had no idea what to do with that information, so I just nodded.
The rest of the way back we rode in silence.
“Don’t hurt her or I’ll kill you,” was all he said as we climbed out of the car at the hospital.
I couldn’t keep the smile off my face. I guess that meant I was in.
Jules
I woke up to my mom humming as I slept. Just like she did when I was a little girl. She didn’t realize I was awake, and I took the moment to treasure her being close.
Finally, she looked up from her book. Her gentle voice was like honey. “You’re awake.”
I slowly sat up, holding her hand as she reached out. Thoughts and images of a completely different outcome came unbidden to my mind and the tears welled up. What if I had never gotten to see her again?
She brushed my hair from my face. “Shh, my baby girl. Don’t cry,” she cooed like she did when I was little. When I’d wake up from having a bad dream and she would climb in bed next to me until I fell asleep again. “We’re going to get your room at the house ready for when you are released. Your apartment isn’t safe. I can’t have you being alone, honey.”
“Mom, I’m not going to the house or my apartment. I’m going to Dom’s.” He’d mentioned it, and though we hadn’t really talked about it, I was definitely ready to move in with him. Whether all this mess had happened or not. I hated to break her heart, but it wasn’t safe for me there. But mom smiled brightly. “What?” What the hell was she smiling about?
“I know that look. I still see that sparkle in your dad’s eyes when I walk into the room.” Leaning in,
