Dex’s smile grows and he nods. “You’re not the first person to tell me that.”
“And I won’t be the last, so get used to it. But congrats, honey, we’re all so fucking proud of you.” I brush my fingertips against the side of his face, savoring this moment. There were so many times when Blackjack was a single dad that I watched Dex for him, and here the kid is, all grown up.
Dex gives me a kiss on the cheek as he gets pulled away by Rosa and Bambi, so I head over to the bar where Hammer sits and slide onto his lap. Axel turns to look over his shoulder. “Shit, I’d better go get Rosa. She’s already a few drinks in tonight.”
Hammer chuckles as he heads over to get his woman and I look down at my ol’ man, who must have a lot on his mind from the way he’s furrowing his brows. “Whatcha thinking?”
He lifts his chin and stares up into my eyes, “More like what I’m not. There’s so much goin’ on here, Shi. Feels weird leavin’ everyone behind when the club is so damn busy.” He isn’t wrong, there’s loads going on, but they’re going to be fine. Whether it’s club drama or the fact Zane had Kelsey send a job offer out to Tara, our prisoner’s kid. I’m still blown away by that mess, but it’s not my job to do anything but stay quiet. Club business isn’t any of my concern, and I only heard about it through the rumor mill. Apparently, the girl’s supposed to be moving within the next week and Zane’s having a couple of the prospects file out and make sure she gets here alright. With the Corrupt Kings MC wanting the girl and her dad dead, I can’t blame them, but it makes me wonder if Gears is going to rat on his club . . . why else would Zane be doing this much to protect a girl he probably doesn’t give a rat’s ass about?
I put my hand on his cheek, “You’re not leaving anyone behind. You’re going somewhere they need you to be. Zane put a lot of trust in you, sweetie. He wouldn’t send anyone to be a regent, and you’re going. So, please, don’t think like this. You’re not leaving them behind. You’re going to handle shit where they need you to.”
“I know what you’re sayin’ is right, but we know the General was only a soldier at this point. We have an entirely new enemy here and it doesn’t feel right leavin’.”
“It’ll never feel right leaving, though, will it?”
He doesn’t answer me, but Hammer knows me well enough to know I’m calling him out.
“There will always be stuff going on with the club. Whether you leave now or six weeks from now, I promise you something will be happening.”
Hammer sucks in a deep breath and shakes his head in defeat, “Have I mentioned I hate it when you’re right?”
“No, but I don’t blame you for it.” I snicker and leave a sweet kiss on his lips.
The look he gives me as I pull away is everything. One glance, it’s all I need to realize how much this man truly cares about me. I’m all about timing being everything, and while sometimes I wish we started things earlier, moments like these make me realize life worked out exactly the way it was supposed to. I would’ve waited a lifetime for the love he gives me, but I’m damn glad I didn’t have to.
“Razor’s supposed to be headin’ out to Mexico soon. Did you hear?” Hammer asks me, but I haven’t heard a thing. Then again, I’ve been so focused on making sure his mom’s okay. She’s as alright as she’s going to be, but Jada’s doing a great job at keeping her on track. Sometimes I think it’s so crazy I integrated this quickly into his family dynamic, but his mom and sister are amazing, and then there’s his daughter Oakleigh. She isn’t around too much, but she’s trying to be. It turns out finding her father this late in life is as scary for her as it is for him. They usually hang out or go to lunch twice a week, but with the two of us moving to Los Angeles, it’s going to change their relationship. Truth be told, I’m a bit nervous for him to leave, especially when they’ve just started developing their father-daughter bond.
“Good for him,” Oakleigh says, coming right up to the bar beside her father and me.
Stiletto’s behind it, fixing drinks for everyone, so Oakleigh leans over and asks, “Mind if I get a cranberry vodka?”
“Child, you must’ve gone and bumped that head of yours,” Hammer growls, going into full dad mode. It’s so adorable. I love it so much.
“I think I have, ‘cause I was wondering if you think there’s room for one more in Los Angeles. I . . . I don’t want to lose you when I just found you.” Oakleigh gnaws on her bottom lip, avoiding eye contact with her dad. Little does she realize he’d made sure she already had a place there.
“I was hopin’ you’d ask. You got your shit packed? You can come with us in the mornin’.” At his words, Oakleigh’s day’s been made. She wraps her arms around her father and me, jumps up and down and squeals. Everyone looks over in our direction and Hammer stands up, almost causing me to have a wipeout on the floor. “My lil’ girl here is comin’ to L.A. with us!”
Cheering breaks out amongst the club, and I’m sure Oakleigh won’t ever know this, but I’m so grateful to her for asking to come. It’ll make her dad feel so much better once we get settled.
In life, there’s so much change constantly happening, but the club will be okay, even if we’re not here with the people we love. We’re here in spirit
