Page 33 of Saving Her
King snorts. “I find that hard to believe,” the man answers.
“I don’t have a horse in the race. Still, the offer stands if you change your mind,” Hangman responds, then walks out, leaving me in the room with Nicole, our two boys, and the man who hates me.
Fuck.
Chapter 23
Dom
I look around the room slowly. I can tell King is fighting to keep from running out of the room. I figure he’s fighting with himself, but I also know he won’t show weakness in front of Dad. He’s got that West pride. I should know, having more than my fair share. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I hope that eventually King lets go of his anger. If he doesn’t, it will eat him alive—much like mine did when I found out about Gabby’s lies. It almost cost me my shot at happiness. If I hadn’t pulled my head out of my ass and claimed my Thea, I’m not sure I’d be standing here right now. I was getting to the point where even crawling out of bed was hard to do.
“You two staying here for the family talk?” Dad asks, looking toward me and T.
“T can if he wants to be here for King. I think I’m out of here. I heard most of it when I was a kid—more than enough to be honest. Besides, I can do the math. It’s not like you cheated on Mom. I think it’s something you all need to address, not me,” I answer, when the room stays quiet. “I’d like time for us to get to know one another, King. I know you hate my father and me too, for that matter. I understand it, but I’m here and I’d like the chance that you’ve already given T.”
“Dom—” King starts to interrupt, but I shake my head.
“I know T is the better man. Fuck, he’s better than all three of us put together. Still, I’d like the chance, whenever you’re ready.”
King doesn’t reply, but then again, I didn’t expect him to. I had my say, however, and that’s all you can do sometimes. I walk over to my parents and lean down to kiss my mom. “So, fucking glad you’re back, Mom,” I rumble out, hugging her tight.
“Like my boys would ever let anything happen to me. All of my boys,” she says, as we pull apart. Her gaze is locked on King as she delivers her response. It’s clear she’s claiming the man as one of her own. I smirk at the poor bastard. He could probably hold a grudge against my old man for the rest of his life. I could see it happening. But if King thinks he can hold out against my mother, he really needs to face reality. He can’t get away from her. Mom is a mini-tornado, and she collects people like some women collect jewelry. She’ll win him over. It’s just a matter of time.
Once I get to the door, I stop and look back at King. “Oh, you haven’t met our sister yet. She’s a lot like Dad, with a temper to match.” King frowns but doesn’t say anything. “She’s going to want to meet you. Don’t let her attitude fool you. Underneath, she’s more like Mom and, as mad as you are about the past, Kayden will want to lay claim to you as a brother. She will want you in her life. Don’t break her heart. As much as I understand your anger, you hurt our sister, and all bets are off.”
“D-Dom?—”
“Don’t argue, T. You baby that girl more than I do. You know you feel the same way.”
T lets out a breath and nods. “He’s right, King.”
“I doubt the two of us will ever meet,” King mutters, and my laughter mingles with everyone else.
“Spoken like a man who hasn’t dealt with any of the West women,” Dad responds dryly. Mom just laughs, the sound joyful. It warms me from the inside out and, again, helps keep all the fear and anger I felt when she was taken from coming back.
“I’m out of here. I got a woman to call.”
“Tell Thea hi, baby.”
“Will do, Mom. T? Are you staying or going?”
“D-D-Do you want me to stay, King?” he asks.
“Nah, I’m fine,” King says, sounding as if he doesn’t have a care in the world. Too bad I can read his body language. There’s nothing about him relaxed right now. Nothing at all.
“Okay. I’ll go call Lyla.”
We walk out together, and I look at my brother. “What do you think is going to happen?”
“King will p-p-probably be an a-a-asshole,” he mutters with a sigh.
“Yeah, I figure. Mom will win him over, though.”
“Eventually,” he agrees.
I slap T on the back. “Time to go call our women before they send out search parties,” I half joke. It wouldn’t surprise me if Thea didn’t do exactly that if I missed a check in. She needn’t worry. I’m addicted to everything about that woman—and that includes her voice. I have to call her. If I don’t, I’d go through withdrawals and have to hightail it back to Kentucky before business is done just so I can sink balls deep into my woman.
Is that the definition of being pussy whipped?