Page 83 of Kane
“Yeah, well, she doesn’t need my ice cream to do it,” he grumbled.
Joshua waved his hand in the air. “If anyone cares about my opinion, I like the guy. He fits right in with us…kind of weird…definitely a smart-ass.”
Mike swiped the back of his head. “Watch your language,” he warned, but there was no evidence of any real anger. He lifted the toddler in his lap and handed her over. “Go get your sister ready for bed, and we’ll pretend like this never happened.”
He waited until Joshua swept Aliyah in his gangly arms and carried her out before he spoke again. “You know I always considered Kane like a member of this family.”
He wasn’t exaggerating. Even though he never gave her a hard time about it, she knew Mike had suffered when Kane left their inner circle.
“Tonight was awesome,” he continued. “In some ways, it was like he never left. I’ve got to ask, though. Are you sure about this?” He looked up at the ceiling before meeting her eyes. “A lot of time has passed. He’s been running with his dad’s gang. Those guys are involved in some serious shit. Last I heard, they were running guns. Not to mention, those look like some leftover bruises on his face.”
She didn’t know the details about their criminal activities, but she didn’t doubt Mike’s word. Kane didn’t like to talk about how the club made its money, even when they dated the first time around, but with what she’d learned about their movement into the drug trade, nothing would surprise her. “He’s patching out.”
“He told you he was leaving the club?” Mike couldn’t have sounded more dubious.
It annoyed her. “Actually, yes. He did. Days ago and again tonight. He’s got an emergency to take care of, then he is coming back to me.”
Cindy scraped the remnants of food off the remaining plates onto an empty platter. “I hope it’s true. If it is, great, but what about the years he’s been part of the crew? Even if he walked into his father’s club with his hands clean, you think they are now? And for God’s sake,” she lowered her voice to a whisper, “I hope you make him get tested before you get freaky. Who knows where he’s been dipping his wick?”
Mike groaned. “Do not talk about my sister having sex, Cin.”
“Why not?” Cindy stopped cleaning long enough to shoot him a dirty look. “Amanda is full-grown, and she deserves to get laid every bit as much as you do. I just don’t want her to end up with a raging case of the clap.”
“I’m not getting the clap.” That’s why God invented condoms. “Look, I appreciate you both looking out for me, but as you said, I’m a big girl. All I need from you guys is your love and support. And if it’s not too much trouble, maybe you can be happy for me. I haven’t felt like this in a long time.”
Mike stirred the soupy remains of his dessert. “We are happy for you, and really, I want Kane back. I always thought we would end up raising our kids together and being the cool dads our kids want at parties.”
“No one wants you at parties, Dad.” Joshua’s taunt came in loud and clear from the next room.
“Keep it up, and I’ll say no to the PlayStation game you asked to download.” Mike shook his head and muttered, “Smartass.”
The idea of a little boy with Kane’s dark hair and big heart was what her dreams were made of. Even when the possibility of a future with him had been less than zero, all her fantasy children had his smile. “I’d love for my kids to grow up with yours.”
“All I’m asking is if you’re sure all of this is what Kane wants too. The kind of happy ever after domestic family thing we’re talking about doesn’t jive with the Skulls; we both know it. And if what you say is true—if he’s dropping out—you’ve got to be ready for it to rock his world. The club has been practically everything to him for his entire adult life. I’m only saying it might be hard.” He cleared his throat. “I’m going to go load the dishwasher now.”
Cindy placed the stack of dishes she’d collected onto his lap and waited until he wheeled away before she spoke. “He means well.”
She didn’t doubt it for a second. Mike had never done anything but support her, from her choice in career, to her love life, to her relationship with her father. Her brother was her biggest cheerleader and her best friend. “I know. I’m not sure what he’s asking me, though. Do I know the club is shady?Yeah.Do I know it’s a big deal for him to patch out?Again…yeah.But it was his choice. It’s what he wants. I’m what he wants.”
“I think you’re right.” Cindy stood, opening her arms for a hug she was more than happy to provide. Her sister-in-law’s embrace felt familiar and fortifying. “If anyone can find the magic again after a thirteen-year break, it’s the two of you. I never stopped hoping you’d find your way back to each other.” Cindy kissed her cheek. “Now get your ass out of here. I have a feeling he’ll be calling any minute.”
The lady didn’t have to say it twice. She couldn’t wait to get home, to have her man back in her bed.
Just as Cindy predicted, the phone buzzed moments after she walked in her front door, but her heart sank when she saw the text.
Kane: Can’t make it tonight.
No tender words. No explanation.
Her mind went straight to her brother’s warnings. Had she read Kane wrong? Had he changed his mind already?
She grasped the pendant at her neck, the cool metal a comforting weight in her hand.I Love You. Forever.She was being paranoid. Kane wouldn’t change his mind; he was in it for the long haul, leaving his old life behind, if not tonight, then tomorrow.
No reason to worry. She’d tell herself as many times as it took until she could make herself believe it.
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Kane