Tala’s dad was Rage, an infamous man to say the least. He was known by some as a legend, while he was feared by most for his crass behavior and unpredictable actions. Most called him a monster, viewed him as an animal. Hell, even Tala did. But, he was something else to her too—her father.
“We are going to get them. I know we will. I’ll help you in whatever way I can, even if I’m in Calgary.” I say, trying to boost her mood a bit. She’s never the type of woman who gives up, but that’s not to say she won’t have a few moments like this. Everyone does. It’s only natural.
She cranes her neck and stares directly into my eyes. “You won’t want to help me, Cowboy, not after I tell you.”
Reactively I bring my eyebrows together, “There’s nothing you could tell me that would do that, Tala.” I tell her, running my hand over the top of her back, passing over her neck, and starting to cup her face, but she tears herself away from me.
Her eyes fill with more wetness and the tears come out harder than they ever have tonight. “What’s going on, Tala?” I question while a sick feeling settles in my stomach.
“Destiny isn’t yours, Cowboy.”
“What?” I ask, standing up I somehow stumble backward and hit the wall. “What’re you talking about?”
She stares down at the ground, wraps her arms around herself and mascara starts to mix with her tears. “Her father is Stoney.”
“From the Devil’s Riot MC?”
She nods.
“You’re fuckin’ with me right now.” I say, praying this is some sick, twisted prank. ‘Cause man I love that little girl like she’s my own. I wanted her to be mine. I fuckin’ crave it.
Tala shakes her head, “No, I’m not. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you the truth before now, but, I—I was terrified to.”
“Does he know she’s his?”
Tala doesn’t say a word.
“Fuckin’ tell me!” I scream at her.
“No, and he won’t. I won’t have him taking her from me.”
Holy fuck. I shake my head, “This is fucked up, Tala, and you know it.”
“Cowboy. Don’t you dare tell him.” She threatens, the look in her eyes shifting from sorrow to something rabid, more threatening than she’s ever looked at me.
“He deserves to know he has a kid. Don’t you think?” I ask her with a scoff, rolling my eyes while I still process the ugly truth—Destiny isn’t my daughter.
“You won’t tell Stoney jack shit, and if you do, I’ll personally strip you of your patch.”
My eyes widen with fury at her threat. “You’re not playin’, are you, Tala?”
“It’s Boss to you, Cowboy, and you’d best remember that. Get the fuck out of my office.” She seethes, pushing herself up from the floor.
I walk over to her door and turn back to look at her one last time. “I’m done with you, Tala. I’m so fucking done with you.” I pull her door open, walk through it and slam it shut behind me. While I’m not supposed to be leaving for a couple days, I’m sure as fuck not sticking around here. Not now.
Not when merely looking at Tala will make me want to strangle her.
Chapter Two
And now you’re just a stranger with my secrets
~Unknown
Boss
Present Day
For the first time in ages I had a dream about the day I told Cowboy, Destiny wasn’t his child. Well, I’m unsure if dream is the right word. Nightmare might be more accurate. After it first happened I’d have the dream once a week, then it slowly shifted to once every few weeks, but now it’s come back, just as Cowboy is due back to Queens to update me on how things are going in Calgary.
He was here a few months back when my friend, Mammoth, came up with his ol’ lady, Riva. But it just so happened it was during one of our quarterly meetings. Now the time’s come for him to come up, and Joker will be riding out next week. And oh, I’m so thrilled to see my brother. The last time he saw me he called me a callous bitch and hollered in front of the entire club how it made sense why I wasn’t locked down with anyone yet. I’m sure that comment made our father roll over in his grave. Fuck, he wanted Joker and I to get along, but we’re both far too stubborn to let it happen. Plus, we’re horrible at apologizing. Neither of us like to admit we’re the one in the wrong.
Ricochet comes walking up to me and I catch Venom sitting at a table in the corner of the bar, staring right at him. He’s just come back a couple hours ago after being down in Virginia to visit Emerson. She’s at one of the Devil’s Riot MC charters, an ol’ lady to one of their main boys. She and Ricochet claimed each other as adoptive siblings, so he makes sure to pay her a visit every couple months, calls her every Sunday morning. It’s cute, but I have a feeling one woman in this club is a tad bit jealous. But, it’s her fault if she isn’t the one making a move on him, and I’m staring right at her Barney purple hair right now.
“Everything good with Venom?” Ricochet asks, turning his head to look back at her. She quickly looks over to Abyss and starts laughing, acting like she wasn’t just staring the man down. Goodness, I could roll my eyes at her all day. She’s never been the shy, quiet type, yet here she is acting like a child with a school crush.
“Yeah, just thought she did something with her hair. It looks a bit different today,” I give him a bullshit excuse. Meanwhile,
