Page 46 of Tav
He frowns over my shoulder, and I give him the time he needs. He’s so much like his mother sometimes. Prickly to beginwith, but I’ve noticed over the past few days, since they’ve been here, that he’s started to soften up. I get it though. They’ve lived through Royal coming after them and who knows what else. He’s right to be wary of men. I just hope that one day he’ll accept my relationship with Pixie.
His eyes flick to mine, and he takes a deep breath before exhaling, his shoulders drooping. “I need you to promise me you’ll look after my mom.”
My brows pinch together as my head tips. I’m a little confused by his request. My role in this life, the one I’m trying to have with my Pixie and her family, is to look after her, to be there for her.
“Of course I’ll look after your mom,” I almost tell Niko that I love her, but those words are for her to hear first. My words don’t seem to have any effect on him, as he’s still tense as hell. “Is there something worrying you, Niko?”
“I’m worried that she’ll get impatient and try to go after Royal herself. I need her to not do that. I want her to leave it to you guys. I mean, look at you! You all look like you’d be able to take them all out without breaking a sweat.” Now that he’s started talking it seems hard for him to stop. “Like, she doesn’t need to go out there and put herself in danger. I need you to get her to just wait for you guys to take care of it, keep her here or something. Please? She’s my mom and I know she’s capable, but she doesn’t have to do it by herself anymore. I, we, really need her.” His dark eyes implore mine and I see the scared boy behind all the teen bluster and bravado.
Niko turns 18 in a couple of weeks. Essentially a grown man, not much younger than Gus and Jules when we lost our parents, and I still see the effect it has on my brothers every day. No kid deserves that and I know that it’ll be over my dead body that these kids experience what we went through.
“Niko, your mom is my Ol Lady. It’s my job to look after her and protect her and make sure she and you guys are happy, healthy and safe. But-” I hold my hand up when he opens his mouth to interrupt, “she’s her own woman. She has her mission, just like DRMC has ours. We are working with your mom to end this. She deserves to slay her dragons and I will stand by her side as she does. In terms of her going off on her own, you and I will work together to make sure that doesn’t happen, OK? I’m sure between the two of us we can make sure she’s distracted enough to wait for Marx to come up with a solid plan.”
He huffs before smiling at me. “Deal.” He holds his fist out to bump, so I gently tap him. “Thanks, Tav.”
“Anytime, Niko,” I smile at him as he stands and heads toward his sister Sage.
“Nice work there, kid,” Tank’s smooth voice says as he kicks the chair Niko was sitting in out further so he can ease his much larger body into it.
“Why do you all call me that? I’m not that much younger than you guys,” I grumble slightly. And not whiney.
“It’s probably less to do with your age, and more your personality,”
I raise a brow at him.
He sighs, then looks around the room. The brothers have started filing in, as most of our businesses would have closed up for the day. “What do you think of Sniper?” He points at our brother sitting in the farthest corner of the bar, back to the wall.
Frowning, as I’m not sure where he is going with this, I decide to answer him. He’s my sponsor and as his prospect I should do as I’m told. “He’s a cool guy. He’s seen some shit. I can see it in the way he holds himself. He spends a lot of time in his head and I think he’s lost someone close to him. He’s measured and thoughtful. He’s a good man.” I nod at my assessment as Tank tips his head at my words.
“Switch. Tell me about him.” He tips his chin to Switch, having a loud conversation with Cove.
“He’s a solid brother with a great sense of humor. I know he trained in the army and he’s seen some nasty shit, but he still treats everyone with care and kindness. He’s empathetic, and he cares about everyone in this clubhouse.”
Tank’s lips twitch as my description. “OK, what about Pops?”
“Pops?” My brows pull down, but I answer anyway. “Well, he’s Pops. He may be a little weird, but he’s protective and caring. He has so much love to give. He’d do anything for any of us, including the DRMC.”
Tank’s smile grows. “That’s why we call you Kid. You have a childlike ability to see the absolute best in everyone and everything. You’ve just told me the three most damaged, unhinged men we know are thoughtful, kind, and loving. They are, in their own way, under the surface, but you see it clear as day. It’s what makes you a good brother, and what’ll make you a good father.” He slides his chair back with a screech, stands and walks to the bar.
My chest fills with pride at his words. One day I hope I can be as good a father to my kids as my dad was to me. I’m really hoping that Pixie, Niko, Sage, Cove and Elio will allow me to be a part of their family. That would be the perfect cherry on top of the sundae. After killing all the people on our list, of course.
“He’s right, you know,” I jump a little when my brother speaks a little too close to my ear.
I spin to look at Jules, expecting a frown. Instead, he has his unreadable face on.
“You got all the empathy and sunshine that I missed out on. It’s what makes you a good guy, Tav.”
“Jules, you’re a good guy. You’re one of the best I know.”
He gives me the lopsided smile that he very rarely gives and then heads toward the bar as well. I’m not on bar duty tonightand with my laptop closed for the evening, I’m gonna check on the kids and my girl.
I stand, grab my things, and head toward my room. It’s funny, I still have my cabin next to Pops and my siblings, but these past few days my room here has felt like home. Every night I get to make love to my woman, and then fall asleep wrapped around her. Just thinking of her in my arms has my cock thickening, so I quicken my pace, unlock my room door and come face to face with my girl, pacing like a caged animal.
Kicking the door closed, I place my laptop on the little desk and hold my hands up in front of me, stepping into her path.
“Pixie, baby, talk to me. What’s going on?”
She tips her head back to look at me, her brows pulled in, mouth a tight line. She grits her teeth before letting out a frustrated scream.